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Current research indicates that introducing young children to puzzles at an early age can help them develop problem solving, mathematical, spatial and social skills. An early start can apparently also help in keeping Alzheimer’s at bay as you get older.
It is for these reasons, that local mom, Chandana Sen, started buying puzzles for her own son when he was about 9 months old. She told knowitall.ch, “I used to source jigsaws as well as educational board games in English for my son from outside Switzerland as I could not find anything suitable or attractively priced here. Other parents also started showing interest in my son’s puzzles and, within a short period of time, I realized the potential for starting my own online business, www.puzzleyoga.com, selling puzzles in this country!”
Chandana sells puzzles for toddlers, kids, teenagers and adults. She defines puzzles as anything that intrigues the mind, so she stocks anything from walking penguins with flapping feet for a toddler, through to jigsaw puzzles for preschoolers and above, wooden 3D puzzles for the 7 year old, creativity kits and acrylic 3D jigsaw puzzles for preteens, and the tough Hanayama metal puzzles for teenagers and adults.
In case some of you missed the news towards the end of last year, Swiss Post has launched a new SMS postage stamp service to allow customers to purchase stamps on their phone. The new service will run initially as a one-year pilot project, during which Swiss Post will test its acceptance amongst customers.
Available for domestic A mail items up to B5 format (25cm x 17.6 cm), weighing up to 100g and measuring no more than 2cm thick, the service works simply by sending the keyword “STAMP” via SMS to the number “414”. A code is then sent to the customer’s phone, which should then be written in the top right-hand corner of the envelope, before posting it in a letter box. The code is valid for ten days and may be used once only. It may also be requested via the Swiss Post smartphone apps for Android or iPhone.The fixed cost of franking, including the text message is set at CHF 1.20 including VAT, regardless of the subscription contract.
Swiss telecom operator, VTX Telecom, has just launched a new, all-in-one package, targeted at English-speaking residential clients who require Internet access, telephone and TV.
Called Madejust4u, the new package includes up to 30MB broadband access on the Swiss fiber network (or 20MB if fiber not available), free fixed-line calls to over 40 countires, 135 TV channels (with multi-screen access) including 35 in English, and 3000 videos on demand of which more than 600 are also in English.
Aware that many expats living in Switzlerland have difficulty liaising with local service providers in French, the service also includes a dedicated English-speaking contact, free set-up, and flexible cancellation terms adapted to their personal situation. The total package, which also includes a wireless router and TV decoder, costs just Fr. 107.- /month.
Photo courtesy of Ambro, www.freedigitalphotos.net
Williams Services, a local Swiss company specializing in the installation of satellites, TVs, and electrical installations, has just launched a new package that will enable expats living in Switzerland to watch Sky TV and other UK TV packages via internet.
With an introductory price of just Fr 399.- (normal price Fr. 499.-), available only throughout the first quarter of this year, the new package includes a NOW TV box, a UKTV router, and a 12 months subscription to a VPN connection enabling clients to watch UK television legally, via the internet, from abroad. Significantly, anyone wishing to watch Sky TV will no longer need to purchase and install a satellite dish to access this service, something which can occasionally pose a problem in rental properties.
Browell Interiors offers initial consultancy meeting free to knowitall.ch clients.
As the New Year approaches, what better time to start thinking about bringing in a few changes at home. It doesn’t need to be anything too grand - just a few alterations here and there can make all the difference to how you feel about your personal space. Maybe your bedroom needs a fresh look, or perhaps your lounge would benefit from a few carefully chosen accessories to create a more intimate feel to it? Whatever your desire, interior designer, Isabell Browell, has years of experience helping local families, in particular expats, to create their perfect home.
Isabell told knowitall.ch “My passion for changing and improving the look of my own home led me into the world of interior design. It all began 10 years ago, when I built and project-managed our own chalet in the French Alps and I felt that I wanted to get involved in other projects. When friends started to ask me for advice on their houses I realised that I could do the same for others and help create homes which people love spending time in.”
