Six great last minute Christmas gifts

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Six great last minute Christmas gifts

Splendid ideas for spontaneous shoppers  

Do you keep promising yourself that this year is going to be different? Are you determined to avoid any pre-Christmas stress, only to suddenly find yourself wondering where exactly the last few weeks have gone? Could it be something to do with all that rich food and drink? Whatever it was, the last weekend before Christmas has come rather too soon. But no need to panic! Below is a list of fabulous last-minute presents on a Düsseldorf theme. Perfect for friends or family living in the city or for those planning a visit.     

A voucher for a guided tour  

Our top tip and one that embraces the zeitgeist for giving people experiences rather than things. The emphasis here is on fun, culture and quality time. And, talking about the zeitgeist, this is a completely sustainable present. Explore the local breweries with your dad, take your mum on a guided tour through the work of star architects in the MedienHafen, or join your brother on an urban art walk. Or perhaps you’d prefer to delve into the sound of Düsseldorf and trace the roots of electronics pioneers Kraftwerk with your friends? Booking takes no time at all, but choosing from the huge selection on offer might take a little longer.  

The artisan market at city hall  

If you’re planning to meet up with your friends at the glühwein stall in the Christmas market anyway, why not look for a few nice presents while you’re there? The artisan market on Rathausplatz square offers a particularly wide selection. Around the base of the statue of Duke Jan Wellem astride his noble horse you can acquire beautiful and useful items crafted from wood, felt, fabric, rattan, wax and ceramics. From eco-friendly children’s toys to handmade candles, or from bags made from recycled materials to pretty tea sets – you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to picking up ideas (and gifts).   

A season ticket for the theatre 

The Düsseldorf Schauspielhaus is one of Germany’s leading theatres. Its high-calibre performances are equally acclaimed by the press and enthusiastic audiences. So how about a season ticket as a festive gift? After all, a guaranteed seat for one of the Schauspielhaus’s celebrated premieres could be worth its weight in gold. Apart from season tickets, the theatre also offers cultural experiences for a smaller budget. Special two-for-one deals that allow you to make several visits, or take a friend, are regularly available. At Christmas, the special offer even includes selected events over the Christmas holidays and on New Year’s Eve. Better get your reservations in quick! All season tickets include free travel on public transport throughout the VRR (Rhine-Ruhr) area on the day of the performance.   

A gift certificate to support your local shop 

The perfect gift at the very last minute! A voucher for a favourite flower shop, that special fashion boutique, a trendy home furnishings store or that shop selling ultra-cool sunglasses. Your friends and relatives would no doubt prefer this to an unwanted present that ends up as a Secret Santa gift next year. The choice of the ‘right’ shop proves that you’ve put some thought into the present, and you score extra karma points for supporting local retailers.  

The Art:card 

An ideal present for art enthusiasts! The Art:card is valid in 25 museums in and around Düsseldorf. For a mere €100 it offers free admission to all of the major establishments for an entire year. These include the Kunstpalast and Kunstsammlung museums and the K20 and K21 art collections, as well as Hombroich Museum Island and the Skulpturenhalle (sculpture hall) in Neuss. As an added bonus, the Art:card also covers Düsseldorf’s annual Museums Night and provides a discount on admission to the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bonn.   

A Japanese cookery course  

Düsseldorf is home to the largest Japanese community in Germany, so it’s not entirely surprising that the Japanese influence has seeped through in all sorts of ways and places. True fans of the land of the rising sun won’t be satisfied with just enjoying its sophisticated cuisine in restaurants – they’ll want to be able to recreate it themselves. At Blu Tokyo Cooking Studio in Oberkassel they can learn how to do just that. There’s even a five-day intensive course that provides real insights into the secrets of Far East cuisine. Gift certificates are available for all options. Do your nearest and dearest prefer Italian or vegan food, or would they rather cook only with other men? At Kochschule Frank Petzchen and Kochschule Friedrichstadt cookery schools you’re bound to find what you’re looking for. Our tip is not to book classes for early January though, as it generally takes a while for even the most ambitious amateur chefs to work up the requisite motivation!  

Cover image: Photo by Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash

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