Christmas presents from Czechia

Czech glass - Crystal fit for kings, emperors and presidents

It would almost be a sin not to bring glass from the Czech Republic! For the finest quality, go straight to the source - to the Crystal Valley in North Bohemia or to the UNESCO spa town of Karlovy Vary in West Bohemia. But you can also buy some amazing sparkling Czech crystal in Prague.

For example, the Moser Glassworks in Karlovy Vary has been producing such beautiful items since Austro-Hungarian times. The foundation of the factory is associated with the name of Ludwig Moser, one of the most outstanding personalities of crystal manufacturing in the whole monarchy. Over the years various beverages served in Moser crystal glasses were sipped by the British Queen, Japanese Emperor, American and Russian Presidents as well as a Spanish Prince at his wedding.

Where to buy Moser Czech glass?

• At one of Moser's sales galleries, such as Staroměstské náměstí 603/15, Prague, or online

And what about coming home from Czechia with a borosilicate glass vase, showcased in the design collection of the MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art in New York? They were designed by Jiří Pelcl, one of the most prominent Czech designers and acclaimed around the world.

Where to buy the Czech glass vases on show at the MoMA?

• Czechdesign Shop, Myslíkova 5, Prague 1 or online

It’s no exaggeration to say that glass is not the only symbol of the Czech Republic - let’s not forget Czech beer. And when you combine the two, you get the perfect gift, perhaps for your hubby or dad. Lukáš Houdek's glasses show his dedication to Czech traditions and are a tribute to the popular old-fashioned half-litre beer glasses.

Where to buy beer glasses?

• Czechdesign Shop, Myslíkova 5, Prague 1 or online

The glittering legacy of the Venetian masters from North Bohemia

Elegant crystal decorations and masterfully crafted costume jewellery all come from the Crystal Valley at the foothills of the Jizera Mountains. Owing to the quality of its products, the local Preciosa brand has earned a global reputation. Not only do they craft original crystal jewellery and costume jewellery, they also make watches with Czech crystal, cufflinks and other crystal gifts, such as the ever-popular glass nail files. Costume jewellery has been made in North Bohemia for centuries, so when you buy a piece of crystal, not only do you get a lovely souvenir, you also acquire a small slice of Czech history.

Where to buy Preciosa products?

• A Preciosa store, Rytířská 29, Prague or online

A Czech gem from the Bohemian Paradise

You’re sure to love Czech costume jewellery. But perhaps you’d prefer something more luxurious? How about a piece of jewellery set with the Czech national stone – Czech garnet? Jewels set with gems poetically dubbed “the colour of pigeon’s blood”, which have been crafted in the Czech lands since the 13th century, can be found in the jewellery boxes of Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, to mention just a couple. Garnet deposits are scattered all over the world, but according to experts, their colour, shine and brightness make Czech garnets the most beautiful. They are famous and popular all over the world, but the name Czech garnet can only be used by Granát Turnov, a Czech jewellery company from the town of Turnov in the heart of the fairy-tale Bohemian Paradise.

Where to buy Czech garnet jewellery?

• A Granát Turnov store, such as the Czech Garnet Museum in Prague, Karlova 8, Prague 1, or online

Czech porcelain not just for the Christmas table

Besides Czech glass, Czech porcelain also enjoys an enviable reputation. As it should, considering it has been made in West Bohemia, near the spa town of Karlovy Vary, since the 18th century! And during that time, its quality and design have been refined to perfection. Czechia’s largest and oldest  porcelain factory, Thun 1794 from Klášterec nad Ohří, for example, has been running continuously for more than two hundred years. Nowadays, it has three production plants, and even a visitor centre in Nová Role, where you can see the traditional methods used to make porcelain in the authentic factory setting and, of course, can also buy yourself a piece of "white gold".

Where to buy Thun 1794 porcelain?

• A porcelain store, such as Jugoslávská 16, Prague

Our tip for a porcelain gift: Maxim Velčovský, one of Czechia’s most popular designers, has created a truly ingenious piece – the Porcelain Republic. This original bowl in the shape of the Czech Republic is available in both pure white and a design featuring the traditional, most famous Czech Blue Onion decoration.

Where to buy a porcelain bowl in the shape of the Czech Republic?

• Czechdesign Shop, Myslíkova 5, Prague nebo online

Style with every brushstroke, or Czech stationery supplies that have conquered the world

The fact that the devil is in the detail is known only too well. Maybe you can even imagine such detail being found for instance in a smart and stylish pen. In the south of the Czech Republic you will find a Koh-i-noor Hardtmuth plant, which has been making writing implements since 1790. Throughout this time it has earned a great reputation. Their water-colour pencils are absolutely unrivalled thanks to the secret production technology and the graphite Koh-i-noor 1500 pencil is the most popular pencil in the world. In addition, the company manufactures luxury pens, which will shine brightly under any Christmas tree. Some of the signatures of Austro-Hungarian politicians on state protocols were made with Koh-i-noor Hardtmuth pens.

Where to buy Koh-i-noor Hardtmuth writing and art supplies?

• A Koh-i-noor Hardtmuth store, such as Vodičkova 710/31, Prague

Cosmetic Products with ingredients from all corners of the Czech Republic

Another tip for a present that will always go down well is some Czech cosmetics. You can’t go wrong with products from Manufaktura, which in the 1990s successfully continued in the tradition of fresh glycerine soap production and since then has extended its range to dozens of high quality cosmetic items. Nonetheless, it has remained true to Czech traditions and the production of its cosmetic series uses natural ingredients such as wine from Moravia, spring salt from Karlovy Vary, medicinal herbs or even beer. In addition, Manufaktura was the first Czech company to be awarded the internationally recognized no-animal-testing certificate – HCS.

Where to buy Manufaktura Czech cosmetics?

• A Manufaktura store, such as Karlova 223/26, Prague

Good quality and authentic toiletries are also offered by other companies of Czech origin. To name just a few – there is the Botanicus company, focusing on a close tie with herb producers, the luxury brand of Chateau Mcely manufactured especially for the five star chateau hotel not far from Prague, and the Czech cosmetics under the trade name of Ryor available in all cosmetic shops and drugstores.

Where to buy Botanicus Czech cosmetics?

• The Botanicus store, Týn 1049/3, Prague

The best present for the kids? Krtek, the Little Mole

The adventures of the cartoon character – Little Mole are widely known by all Czech children. Many little moles, whether in the form of soft, wooden or metal toys, or animated, plastic, marzipan or gingerbread creations have left the Czech Republic in the luggage of foreign tourists, who may have taken them home just as a keepsake for themselves or as a charming gift for their children. If they bought a wooden mole, it must have been produced by the Czech company - Detoa, which is the only manufacturer licensed to make this popular character out of wood.

The Little Mole is a small Czech hero and a true original. Czech illustrator Zdeněk Miller created the first cartoon starring The Little Mole as early as 1957. This character became immensely popular not only thanks to its extreme charm but also because it is one of the few animals that had not been drawn by the American cartoonist Walt Disney. Despite pushing sixty, The Little Mole is not planning retirement but is heading off for new adventures with a panda in China.

Where to buy a Czech mole?

• A Hugo chodí bos toy shop, such as Vodičkova 35, Prague, Sparkys, Bambule and others

How about something delicious?

To bring a smile to gourmets’ faces, we will go back to West Bohemia, because apart from glass and porcelain production the renowned spa region became famous also for its crispy wafers and Becherovka liqueur. Strolling through Karlovy Vary or Mariánské Lázně you will probably bump into a few people munching on large round wafers filled perhaps with a nut or cinnamon mixture. Luckily, you can take this delicacy home with you wrapped in a box.

Another world-famous product from West Bohemia can also be transported home – this time in a bottle. Thanks to its soothing effects on the digestive system the herbal liqueur Becherovka is considered to be one of the Karlovy Vary “healing springs”. It has been drunk during family celebrations as well as a digestif since 1794, when it used to be produced in Karlovy Vary by the pharmacist Josef Becher.

Where to buy Becherovka and spa wafers?

• In grocery stores throughout the Czech Republic

Article created in collaboration with Czechdesign↗.