KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

Come share your shopping tips for Europe

which country huh ?

In France/Italy/UK, must be luxury bags and shoes lor...Scotland can buy their tartans.

In Switzerland, can check out swiss watches and swiss knives...

Can buy Hugo Boss suits, Adidas or Rimowa in Germany?

From Holland, I usually lug aged cheeses.

Belgium - always chocs...or if feeling rich, can check out loose diamonds (Antwerp)!

Austria should be Swarovski crystals or musical instruments/music-themed accessories?

Loewe from Spain!

if you love bags and going to france, gotta buy LV which is cheaper.
Italy...Versace, moschino.

if France is your last desintation, foie grais and red wine. they can help you pack the red wine in crates.

GLORYmum wrote:they can help you pack the red wine in crates.

but need to pay tax in singapore if you bring crates of red wine back isn't it?

jetsetter wrote:Belgium - always chocs...or if feeling rich, can check out loose diamonds (Antwerp)!

pierre marcolini chocolate!

What else to buy from France if not into luxury bags/shoes/wine/chocolate?

(tankee, very good idea to start these shopping threads! Gam xia!)

ammonite wrote:What else to buy from France if not into luxury bags/shoes/wine/chocolate?

It depends on whether it's your first time to France, what stage of life you're in, your interests & hobbies, and your shopping budget

1st time: touristy souvenirs like fridge magnets, coasters, key rings, mugs, mini Eiffel Tower...and even EuroDisney/Moulin Rouge paraphernalia.

If you're into arty farty stuffs, you should grab something from their Musee gift shops, which was what I did: writing instruments, notebooks, Monet postcards, greeting cards, vintage Metro posters, etc. There are many such eccletic stores in Montmartre. I also bought quite a lot of stuffs from French Lifestyle store, Pylones (which hadn't opened in Singapore then).

If you're a bike enthusiast like my hubs, you might end up with some really cool Tour de France accessories or bike spare parts like bike bell/light

If you're into fragrances, there are lots of cult perfumeries you can find in Paris like Diptyque, L'Artisans Parfumeur... but they are available at Tangs Escentials and Robs lah...

For French toiletries, other than L'Occitane, you can check out hand-made soaps from Savon de Marseille (also available in Tangs Escentials). There are many small shops selling Provence soaps and shower gels even in Paris. But bar soaps and shower gels are darn HEAVY as bricks hor...

For tea lovers, you can buy tea sets or filters from the famous tea emporium, Mariage Frères. My sis is a big fan, so she bought us tea leaves from there recently. (NB: Local tea salon TWG copied Mariage Freres' concept. Bleah...)

Those with babies, tots or young nieces/nephews, do check out my fav French kids labels - Du Pareil au Même, Jacadi, Bonpoint, Petit Bateau, Okaidi and Baby Dior!

Teens might find something cheap during those Naf Naf, Kookaï, Agnes b. sales. Otherwise, there are other exciting high street labels within leading department stores like GL or Printemps, or along C.E. When I was still a student, I bought a really pretty backpack and pencil case from GL:)

For young boys, you can buy diecast Citroen, Peugeot or Renault toy cars. Look out for Parisian Metro/Bus models in the stores:)

If you're not quite into macarons, you can still fish out some souvenirs from Laduree's gift shop. Er, of course you can get some in Singapore's Laduree too, but we don't carry the full range you see. I bought the Laduree tote bag and tea towels....They also sell aprons, scented candles, key rings and what hv u...Laduree Paris has an Ice-cream/Sorbet parlour too, but again, that's not available in Singapore.

Pierre Hermé, Jean-Paul Hévin, Pâtisserie Sadaharu Aoki or La Pâtisserie des Rêves are other "sweet" places you could grab a box of something for someone back home. Mind the expiry date.

Do note that Nespresso capsules are dirt cheap in EU, incl the machine. When DH was in Paris, he bought the full set of capsules back.

For men, maybe they might find something they like at Lacoste or Le Coq Sportif? If they support the French national football team, they could buy the bleu jersey too.

There are many exotic and eccentric stuffs I'd get for myself from France, but I doubt most people will aim for those items Most will not leave Paris without at least one item from Chanel, LV, YSL, Dior, Hermes or Longchamp:)

xiaostar wrote:

jetsetter wrote:Belgium - always chocs...or if feeling rich, can check out loose diamonds (Antwerp)!

pierre marcolini chocolate!

I prefer Mary's or Wittamer.
If I can't be the King, at least I can eat from the same supplier that the Royal family orders from
(and they probably have done the QC as well)