Gifts from Berlin: souvenirs that actually get used

Looking for gifts from Berlin but not keen on yet another fridge magnet with the Brandenburg Gate? Fair enough. A good Berlin souvenir reminds people of the city and still gets used in everyday life. Here are ideas for things to bring back from Berlin, for friends abroad who should get something from Germany, and for anyone after a present with a real place of origin.

What makes a good Berlin souvenir

Before you work your way through the souvenir shops at Alexanderplatz, ask yourself three things:

• Will it fit in the suitcase? Small and light beats big and fragile.
• Will it get used? Something you pick up every day brings back the trip more often than a picture in a drawer.
• Does it tell a story? Where and how it was made often matters more in a souvenir than the price.

Gifts from Berlin: ideas beyond the fridge magnet

Something to eat or drink

Coffee from a small roastery in your neighbourhood, a spicy currywurst seasoning or a jar of gherkins from the nearby Spreewald. Food is the most honest souvenir because it almost always gets used up. If you are flying, just check the rules on liquids in hand luggage.

A piece of Berlin for the wall

A print or postcard by a local illustrator, an old city map from a flea market or your own photo of a favourite spot, framed. Paper is light and arrives in one piece.

A book set in Berlin

A novel, a photo book or a neighbourhood guide. Even nicer with a short note saying where you bought it. Second hand bookshops and flea market book stalls are a treasure trove.

A flea market find

Berlin is full of flea markets at the weekend. An old cup, a record, an enamel sign: second hand pieces from Berlin carry more of the city's history than any shop souvenir.

An experience

If the person is visiting soon: a voucher for a city tour, a neighbourhood walk with you or concert tickets. Weighs nothing and is remembered for a long time.

Made in Berlin: Soapi as a souvenir

One present that really is made in Berlin is Soapi. It is a magnetic soap holder, injection-moulded in Berlin. The housing is injection-moulded from recycled plastic, around 90 % of which comes from discarded fishing nets and ropes. The nets are processed in Denmark, and the moulding happens in Berlin.

How it works: a bottle cap, for example from a cola or beer bottle, is pressed halfway into a bar of soap. The soap then hangs from the magnet on the wall and dries all round. The sink stays clean and the soap lasts longer. A little Berlin bonus: use the cap from a beer or lemonade brewed in the city, and the memory hangs right there on the wall.

Why it works as a souvenir:

• Small and light, easy to pack.
• Used every day, in the bathroom, kitchen or shower.
• No drilling: it sticks on with a waterproof adhesive pad to tiles, glass, mirrors or stainless steel, so it suits rented flats too.
• Built to last: a 10 year durability guarantee, and the holder cannot rust because the magnet is fully enclosed in plastic.

Soapi costs €12.95 and comes in 10 colours. As a ready made present, go for the Starter Kit for €14.95 with a Soapi, a lavender soap from Marseille, 100 g, handmade in Marseille, and a cleaned bottle cap. For someone who has just moved, the magnetic key holder for €11.95 is a good match.

Sending gifts from Germany abroad

Want to send friends or family abroad something from Germany? Classics include gingerbread or stollen at Advent, a good kitchen knife, a German board game or coffee and spices from your own city. If you are looking for made in Germany gifts, check the stated place of manufacture rather than just the flag on the packaging.

We currently ship Soapi to Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Canada and the UK, among others. Simply enter the recipient's address when you order.

Mix & Match: several souvenirs in one go

For the whole family or your flatmates back home: with Mix & Match you choose 5 products and pay €50, with free shipping within Germany. You can combine Soapis in all 10 colours, the key holder, solid soaps, shampoo bars and children's soaps. That works out at €10 per present.

Frequently asked questions

Is Soapi really made in Berlin?

Yes, it is injection-moulded in Berlin. The net material is processed in Denmark beforehand.

What is a good Berlin souvenir under €15?

Coffee from a small roastery, a print or postcard from the city, a flea market find or a Soapi for €12.95.

Does the free shipping with Mix & Match apply abroad?

No, free shipping with Mix & Match applies within Germany. You will see shipping costs for other countries at checkout.

In short

The best Berlin souvenir is one that gets used and has a story. If it should be something small from Berlin, put together your set with Mix & Match. For more ideas, read Original gifts with character and Gifts for beer lovers.