Berlin Bears
Let's start with the German capital, from a trip to which it is hard to return home without at least one bear – Berliner Bär. This animal has adorned the city's coat of arms since the end of the 13th century. However, as historians suggest, the name Berlin originated during the colonization of eastern lands by Germanic tribes not from the German word Bär, but from the Old Slavic word berl – swamp.
"Eastern" Little Man
Serious competition to the bears in the capital's souvenir market comes from East German traffic light men – DDR-Ampelmännchen or Ost-Männchen. Their distinctive feature is wide-brimmed hats, and they achieved cult status back in GDR times. In Berlin, you can buy, for example, a lamp with such a figure, as well as bags, figurines, corkscrews, watches, keychains, and so on.
Wall Fragments
Those who in 1989 wanted to destroy the Berlin Wall as quickly as possible with any available tools or simply chip off a piece as a souvenir of the peaceful revolution in the GDR were called "wall peckers" (Mauerspechte). Today, nothing can be chipped off the Wall. However, 200,000 tons of concrete were used in its construction, so souvenir kiosks are well supplied with fragments for a long time.
Cuckoo Clocks
From Berlin we move to the Black Forest – the famous Schwarzwald in southwestern Baden-Württemberg. It is believed that in the mid-18th century, wall clocks with a cuckoo (Kuckucksuhr) began to spread around the world from here. Today, the price range for such clocks made here, depending on their quality and the material from which they are made, ranges from about fifty to nearly two thousand euros.
"Weather House"
In addition to cuckoo clocks, craftsmen from the Black Forest and some other regions of Germany, such as the Thuringian Forest, make miniature weather houses (Wetterhäuschen) out of wood. Most models are inexpensive, but they contain no less typical German flavor than wall clocks with vocal birds. The cheapest house costs 10 euros, but there are more expensive ones for 250 euros.
For Beer Lovers
As for beer, in Germany the content (namely, the type of drink) usually determines the shape of the vessel from which it should be consumed. As a souvenir, you can buy, for example, a Bavarian liter mug (Maßkrug) – glass or porcelain, with a pewter lid or without a lid, plain or decorated.
Leather Pants
During the G7 meeting held in Bavaria in June 2015, Barack Obama, supposedly with annoyance and a slight accent, told locals that he had forgotten his leather pants – Lederhose – at home. What's the problem? He could have bought new ones to please the meeting hosts! The simplest ones cost 40-60 euros. Even cheaper are Bavarian hats. And for home, you can buy an alpine bell…
Dirndl
By the way, traditional leather pants also look quite striking on women, but if you are choosing something from the Bavarian wardrobe for them, it is better to buy a dirndl (Dirndl) as a gift – the national Bavarian women's clothing. They are made in a wide variety of styles and colors – to suit any budget. The dirndl is especially popular during the Oktoberfest beer festival.
For Wine Lovers
Those who prefer wine to beer should not return from Germany empty-handed either: they can buy stemmed glasses made of green glass. The standard size, however, is smaller than in Helmut Kohl's hands. Römer Weingläser, as they are called, have nothing to do with Romans, even very ancient ones. The name comes from the Dutch verb roemen (to praise). 25 euros for six pieces.
Garden Gnome
By some estimates, Germany is currently inhabited by 25 million garden gnomes. Indeed, the Gartenzwerg is a frequent resident of burgher gardens, dachas, and lawns. The first ones appeared near castles in the Baroque era at the end of the 17th century, and their mass march began in the mid-19th century. You can buy one of these symbols of German kitsch as a souvenir for 20-30 euros.
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SECOND TEN GERMAN SOUVENIRS