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3 times 3 gift ideas from Innsbruck

06 December 2024

Post originally written in: Deutsch

Christmas is just around the corner - and with it the annual question: what to buy? Every year I resolve to have all my Christmas presents together by October, and every year I fail. Maybe you feel the same way? If so, don't worry: this list could be your salvation!
I've rummaged around a bit and collected creative, special and, above all, regional gift ideas. They are divided into three categories: Culinary, Experiences and Crafts. Whether for family, friends or colleagues - I'm sure there really is something here for everyone.

Tip 1: Fine wines from Tyrol

Looking for a gift for your father-in-law, uncle or maybe even your boss? Is it just my imagination, or are men particularly difficult to give presents to? Admittedly, I'm using a cliché here, but I've found that men are often happy to receive something high-proof! Whether it's a fine schnapps, a good beer or a fine wine - there are many great regional products around Innsbruck that make perfect Christmas presents. And not just for men, of course!

Swiss stone pine meets gin

If I had to choose a fragrance that stands for Tyrol, it would be that of Swiss stone pine. It has something homely about it and has a totally calming effect on me. Just think what it smells like in a typical Tyrolean stone pine parlor - simply cosy. Swiss stone pine is part of Tyrol - even in liquid form. While many people know the classic Swiss stone pine schnapps, Swiss stone pine gin is still an insider tip. The ZIRBIN Dry Gin is a true homage to the Alps. It owes its unique flavor to the pine cones that give it its characteristic taste. I'm not a big gin drinker myself, but my husband is - and he loves mixing cocktails. Perhaps this ZIRBIN Dry Gin the perfect gift for him. In any case, I've already discovered suitable recipe ideas on the ZIRBIN website. The „Highball Preiselbeere“ sounds so good that even I might like it! And it's certainly festive enough for Christmas.

Beery gifts from Innsbruck

In the fall, I had the pleasure of writing an article about Innsbruck's breweries. One thing quickly became clear: our Alpine capital has a variety of great, regional beers to offer - which are also perfect as Christmas presents. How about a few bottles, for example Tiroler Bier? A dark wheat beer is particularly suitable at Christmas time, but a classic Märzen or wheat beer is also always a good choice. The Tiroler Bier has an impressive original gravity of 12.3°, is naturally cloudy and has 4.5% alcohol.

Tyrolean wine - unexpected and good

What gift almost always fits? A good bottle of wine! Whether as a present for Christmas dinner or lovingly wrapped under the tree - wine is always an elegant choice. For Christmas, of course, it should be a particularly fine wine, and the wines from the Mair family from Rietz are perfect for this. Many people are probably Mair’s Beerengarten with its fine products. By the way, jams, chutneys, syrups and brandies also make wonderful Christmas presents. But back to the wine: under the name Sticklberger the Mair family produces wines of the highest quality. With a lot of patience and dedication on the vine, they produce full-bodied wines full of character, proving that Tyrol also has a lot to offer when it comes to wine.

American Football in the heart of the Alps

If you want to experience American Football up close, you should definitely visit a home game of the Swarco Raiders Tirol visit. Directly in the Tivoli Stadium with the picturesque Nordkette in the background, offers a real experience for sports fans. The grandstand is designed so that you can fully enjoy the atmosphere - not only through the exciting game on the pitch, but also through the impressive backdrop of the Alps . With a ticket for a Raiders game, you can experience Innsbruck like the locals. The atmosphere in the stadium is unique and a must for fans of American Football! There's a great podcast about the Raiders here. Of course, ice hockey and soccer fans don't have to go away empty-handed either. Tickets for the Innsbruck Sharks or Wacker Innsbruck are also great gift ideas.

Powder love and safety: unadulterated snow fun

Tyroleans are on skis before they can walk. Well, almost. But seriously: almost everyone has an alpine freak in their circle of family, friends or acquaintances who spends every free minute in the mountains. But for all their passion for the snow, one thing is essential: safety! An avalanche safety course is therefore the ideal gift for anyone who loves being out and about in the powder. The offers in the region are varied: Flat Sucks offers Courses for beginners, but also for experienced freeriders - just like the Alpine Safety Academy. A highlight: many of the courses are also available in English - ideal for international winter sports fans.

Build your own skis

Let's stick to the boards that mean the world. What do you give a winter sports fanatic who already has everything? For all those who love adventures in the snow SPURart is the perfect address. This Innsbruck-based company manufactures tailor-made skis and snowboards - by hand. The individually adapted custom skis, snowboards and splitboards help to refine your own style and are tailored precisely to the customer's wishes. Under the motto "Build your own equipment!", SPURart also offers special workshops. Over the course of a weekend, you can assemble your own boards in the production facility under professional guidance - including a unique ski or snowboard design of your own design. I think a workshop like this would make a great group gift. If everyone pools together, you can afford something a little more exclusive and the recipient is sure to enjoy it immensely.

Tip 3: Timeless gifts - craftsmanship with heart

Now that we've already taken care of Christmas gifts related to culinary delights and action, it's time for true craftsmanship. I think it's nice to give something high-quality and unique as a gift - especially because you rarely treat yourself to such things. An example: When I need new crockery, I usually just reach for the next best thing. But if I give some as a gift, I make sure it's something really special, with quality and history. I would now like to introduce you to just such treasures - real artisan delicacies from the region.

Golden accents for a beautiful home

For me, porcelain is the highest quality form of ceramic. It probably originated in China, and Marco Polo brought it to Europe. Be that as it may, porcelain stands for quality and is often only uncovered on special occasions - such as Christmas. Andrea Baumann produces unique, gold-plated porcelain vessels. Particularly noteworthy are her gold bowls, which give the impression that they glow from within. The hand-built, translucent gold-rimmed plates or the enchanting tea service are also true works of art. But it's not just crockery: Andrea Baumann's porcelain lamps can make any room shine in new splendor. You can buy her beautiful porcelain not only on her website, but also from December 7 to 23, 2024 at Kaufhaus Tyrol and at the Resort at Erlerstraße.

Timelessly elegant: leather products from grga

Leather is a material that has been used for thousands of years - even the ancient Egyptians used it, and even the glacier mummy Ötzi wore leather clothing. Even back then, people knew what quality meant. If you are looking for exclusive leather products in Innsbruck, you will find what you are looking for at the Ledermanufaktur grga will find what you are looking for. Founded in 2013 by Gregor Mair, the atelier stands for handmade products of the highest quality. Each piece is made in Austria step by step with the utmost care to guarantee long-lasting pleasure. The range includes bags, aprons and much more. One particularly clever product is the Bottle Boy: with an inlay made of merino sheepskin, wrapped in the finest calfskin, it keeps chilled (wine) bottles pleasantly cold for up to four hours.

For shining children's eyes

In most families, it's probably like us: the children get the richest presents. Until now, however, my gift tips have almost exclusively focused on adults. It's high time to change that! High-quality toys can be found in the delightful toy shop „Carolines SPIEL-ART“ in Innsbruck's old town. From dolls' houses, knights' castles and rocking horses to marble runs and children's kitchens - the selection is diverse. Classic toys such as spinning tops, sailing boats, kites and board games can also be found here. The range is rounded off with lovingly designed dolls, cuddly toys and selected children's books. There is guaranteed to be something here that will make children's eyes light up!

Happy shopping!

I hope my tips have inspired you - I was surprised myself at what Innsbruck has to offer and how varied the gift ideas are here. Christmas shopping can be stressful, but with a few good ideas it's half the battle. Don't get caught up in the hustle and bustle and enjoy Advent! By the way: books are always a wonderful gift idea. Have a look at my colleague Susanne, she has some great tips - or discover Innsbruck's most beautiful bookshops in my blog post.