
The Swiss e-store, My Little Room, has made a selection of their bestselling designer toys for Christmas, which knowitall.ch readers can have delivered free of charge throughout the month of December!
Targeted at children aged 0 to 14, the toys fall into 3 main categories: Design, Eco-friendly or Vintage. Co-founder, Maya Raymond, explained the difference between the toys to knowitall.ch,
"Our Design toys have been selected to please our more design-conscious parents, so the toys can become a feature of a room, rather than untidy, unwanted clutter! With sleek lines, and graphic patterns they include items such as wooden toy houses, colourful maracas, and smooth skittles."

Towards the end of last year, Heidi & James welcomed friends and professionals to the center of Geneva to launch their first collection of contemporary furniture and accessories.
Presenting the work of up-and coming designers based mostly in the UK and Switzerland, Heidi & James fills a gap in the market between very high end (and relatively expensive) furniture pieces and mass produced (generally lower cost) items.
Based in London, but with a strong presence in Switzerland at temporary exhibitions, Heidi & James currently promotes the work of the following designers:
- And then Design (UK, London)
- Di Classe (Japan, Tokyo & UK, London)
- It Design (Switzerland, Zurich)
- Jangir Maddadi (Sweden, Kalmar)
- Marlo & Isaure (Switzerland, Geneva/Lausanne (ECAL) & Tunisia, Tunis)
- Splinter Designs (UK, York)
- Stilgraf (Switzerland, Zurich)
- Taz Pollard (UK, Devon)
- Tom Raffield (UK, Cornwall)

At this time of year, receiving and shipping international parcels by post can be surprisingly stressful, especially if you live in Switzerland. Whilst we all take great pleasure out of sending a carefully chosen gift through the post to family and friends, and yet more pleasure when we receive one, the experience becomes infinitely less enjoyable if you also receive an unexpected bill for VAT and "handling" to pay at the same time!
However, when you know what to expect and why, then you can start to plan your purchases more prudently, and avoiding unnecessary costs.
Meta Djojosubroto of local blog, Lausanne Mom, has just written an excellent article explaining the whole process in detail and providing some great tips on how to avoid heavy costs when receiving or shipping parcels within Switzerland.
Click here to find out more and read the full article on her popular blog, Lausanne Mom.

10% discount on website orders placed before end January 2016!
How many times have you planned to make the perfect cake for a special occasion and found, at the last minute, that you are missing something essential? Even when you have had plenty of time to prepare, it can be frustrating trying to find the right cooking implements in the shops, not to mention special ingredients and accessories.
Unless, of course, you have heard of Genevacakes! Established in December 2012 by expat mom, Ana Moraleda, and taken over a year and a half later by long-time customer, Elena Burau, Genevacakes sells a huge range of cake supplies, from licensed Disney fondant discs to technical tools for flower modeling. With more than 1,800 products available, including fondants, colors, aromas, cake pans, and silicon molds, this popular local cake business distributes well-known brands such as Wilton, Renshaw, CK, Culpitt and Rainbow Dust.
Asked how she got into the business of selling cake supplies, Elena told knowitall.ch, "When I learned that Ana was looking for someone to help her continue the Genevacakes' adventure, I was really interested. As a regular customer of the shop, I soon learnt about Ana's plans to sell her business, so we discussed and agreed on a transition, which finished in August 2014."

It's that year of again when we compile a list of Christmas markets for you, and add a few of our own recommendations as well. If you have a favorite fair that you would like us to add, please send us an email with the details, including any flyers for us to post on our Events Calendar.
Christmas markets are a great place to go to get a flavor of the local customs and traditions of this region - and of course to buy unique, hand-crafted products to send as presents to your folks back home. Most of the markets provide food stalls offering local delicacies, including of course a welcome glass of mulled wine (otherwise known as vin chaud or glühwein). For the children, there are often many activities organized - and if they're lucky, Santa Claus may make a surprise visit!
Click on the name of the event to see more information on each listing. Since some of the information has been sourced from other websites, we recommend that you verify the time and location of any events that interest you before you set out – just in case the dates have changed.
- Around Switzerland in 80 Maps - A magical journey by Diccon Bewes
- Brappz gives away free Neon Brappz fashion accessories to knowitall.ch readers
- 50% off silk scarves from Audrey Soie Haute Couture
- Payot Libraire opens brand new book store in Geneva
- The perfect souvenir of Switzerland: figurative oil paintings of Swiss scenes painted by local artist, Rita Mancesti
- Special opening of Soul of Asia showroom featuring high quality cashmere shawls and Ayurvedic body products
- Add style to your wardrobe with Venus Secrets’ exclusive range of handcrafted jewelry and exquisite lingerie
- Get addicted to junking - go bargain-hunting with Lisa and find something unique for your home!
- Tissuandco.ch online fabric and haberdashery store is launched in Switzerland
- ASK – All Special Kids teams up with Rush Pop Up Store to launch Geneva’s first charity fashion shopping event!
- Geneva-based entrepreneurs get you hooked on brappz – the cool alternative to bra straps, which can also be worn as bracelets and necklaces too!
- Get 20% off your books this summer with OffTheShelf’s Fr. 20.- Summer Pass
- New regulations on customs allowances announced
- New “On My Way” dry cleaning service makes clients' lives easier
- Renowned Studio Harcourt portrait photographers to hold 3 days of photo shoots at the Hotel d’Angleterre in Geneva
- Exercise your brain with mind games from www.PuzzleYoga.com
- Use SMS on your phone to buy Swiss postage stamps
- Buy your copy of the beautiful "Lake Geneva - As time goes by" poster!
- Deal of the month: hardware stores
- New edition of Know-it-all passport® 2013/2014 now on sale!
- Some simple ideas for party nibbles
- Choose any book for only Fr. 8.- at OfftheShelf English Books
- 100% Geneva milk is used to make authentic fresh mozzarella
- Some simple ideas for party nibbles
- Customs allowances
- Stylish and seasonal ideas for your home
- Know-it-all passport tops best-selling charts!





