11 Essential Health Insurance tips
Essential Guide
Expat families without the support network of extended family nearby can use any help they can get. Whether a baby is on its way or a child’s set of teeth need correcting, there are many good reasons for solid health insurance coverage.
When a baby is on the way, parents-to-be have a lot to organize.Living in a foreign country without the support network of the extended family can make this an especially stressful time.
While there are countless reasons to celebrate the arrival of a new family member, one especially important topic may not be ignored: health insurance.
While basic coverage is mandated by law, supplementary policies are highly advisable for expat families in Switzerland. One of the most common supplementary policies is dental insurance. It covers tooth corrections – an otherwise costly endeavor. But in the life of a family, there are a number of other considerations when it comes to selecting proper health insurance.
Expat Savvy specializes in helping expat families in Switzerland. From our experience, there are a number of important insurance considerations, starting even before the birth of a new family member:
1)
During pregnancy, a baby is insured by the basic health insurance policy of the mother.
2)
By law, children need to be insured against illness and accidents – from the day they are born. The deadline for requesting coverage from any of Switzerland’s insurers is three months after birth. By adhering to this deadline, any health complications during birth or in the first three months of life will be fully covered. If this deadline is missed, however, all health-related expenses for the newborn are the sole responsibility of the parents.
Unlike with adults, children’s policies do not have an out-of-pocket minimum.
Unlike with adults, children’s policies do not have an out-of-pocket minimum.
Expat Parents
Instead, parents have to pay 10 percent of health costs up to an annual maximum of 350 francs.
3)
Newborns may have a different insurer than the rest of the family. Often, the least expensive insurance company for the parents is not an economical choice for the baby. At the same time, some insurers reward families with healthy discounts. Get in touch with us and we will find the best option for you and your new family member.
4)
Unlike with adults, children’s policies do not have an out-of-pocket minimum. Instead, parents have to pay 10 percent of health costs up to an annual maximum of 350 francs.
5)
Did you know that the “franchise” maxes out at 1000 francs per year, for all children combined? In addition to the premium, a family will never have to pay more than 1000 francs per year out of pocket for their kids’ health expenses.
6)
Those mothers with a semi-private or private supplementary coverage often benefit from perks at the insurer’s partner clinics. These could include free childbirth classes or parking passes.
7)
The birth of a new family member is a priceless occasion for the parents. But without a supplementary insurance policy for rooming-in, fathers cannot stay overnight at the birth clinic or hospital. We always recommend taking out this coverage because we know how important it is for spouses to share these moments of togetherness.
8)
Those wanting to ensure comprehensive coverage for the birth of a child should consider taking out a capital insurance for a lump sum. Such a policy guarantees the payment of the insured capital amount in the case of disability or death during birth.
9)
For newborns, supplementary insurance plans can cover important areas where mandatory basic insurance falls short. We recommend taking out such coverage prior to the birth of a new child. This will ensure that any pre-existing conditions of the newborn are fully covered. If you wait until after the birth, you are running the risk that chronic health conditions will not be covered by insurance.
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9)
For newborns, supplementary insurance plans can cover important areas where mandatory basic insurance falls short. We recommend taking out such coverage prior to the birth of a new child. This will ensure that any pre-existing conditions of the newborn are fully covered. If you wait until after the birth, you are running the risk that chronic health conditions will not be covered by insurance.
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10)
Dental corrections can easily cost thousands of francs, straining the family budget during a time when raising children is most expensive. A supplementary dental insurance plan offers coverage for braces and other corrections. It is important to know that such a policy needs to be taken out before the seventh birthday or before any dental issues first arise. (Depending on the insurer, you might have to sign up for a dental policy even prior to the birth of a child.) Otherwise, the insurer could ask for a risk assessment and reject your child because of pre-existing conditions. Benefit from the experience of Expat Savvy in finding the perfect policy – different insurers cover different levels of dental expenses.
11)
Ask us about the availability of each health insurance provider. While some Swiss insurers offer 24/7 hotlines or even chats with doctors, others may only take calls during business hours. Expat families tend to travel across time zones frequently, so we often hear that having a responsive insurer during emergencies is truly priceless.
Get in touch as soon as you start with family planning. Expat Savvy would be happy to guide you and ensure that no deadlines are missed. Expat Savvy is an independent insurance broker who understands the needs of expats in Switzerland. Fill out this form to request a FREE consultation – no strings attached.
26 Christmas Events to Attend in 26 Cantons
AARGAU
Whip Cracking (Chlauschlöpfe) – tradition says that the noise from the cracking whips wakes up Saint Nicolas and lures him to town
- Various villages/towns throughout the Lenzburg region
- 11 – 15.12.2019
Appenzell Ausserhoden
Christmas Exhibition in Schwänberg’s Old Town Hall – the work of 15 artisans are on display in this special Christmas exhibition that includes local music and food
- Alte Rathaus, Schwänberg, AR
- 11 – 01.12.2019
Appenzell Innerhoden
Eating Chlausezüüg – a six-sided pyramid of baked goods decorated with sugary images called Devisli, the Chlausezüüg is a specialty that is available during the advent season at places such as Drechslerei Keller
- Drechslerei Keller and other locales in Appenzell Innerhoden
- Advent Season
Basel-Land
Nünichlingler – at 21:00 on 24. December, young men wearing dark clothes and cardboard tubes on their heads, march for 45 minutes through the town of Ziefen with large bells ringing from their necks
- Ziefen, BL
- 12.2019
Basel-Stadt
The Johann Wanner Christmas House – exquisite Christmas baubles, glass jewelry and straw jewelry for all your Christmas decorating needs
- Old Town, Basel-Stadt
- Mondays – Saturdays in store; Everyday online
Bern / Berne
Weihnachtsweg Heiligenschwendi - a 45-minute walk that displays the Christmas story through life-sized, handcrafted figurines at 6 different stations. Stop by station 6 on Sunday evenings for music, pastries and biscuits
- Schwendi, BE
- 12.2019 – 06.01.2020
Fribourg / Freiburg
Christmas Concert – taking place in the heart of Fribourg on the last Sunday before Christmas, this concert features Soprano Sophie Karthäuser, Mezzo Marie-Claude Chappuis and the Ensemble Claudiana
- Maigrauge Church, Fribourg
- 12.2019 at 15:00
Genève
Pictures with Père Noël – get a free with picture Santa Claus and one of his reindeer in the backdrop of a beautiful snowy setting
- 1st floor at the Centre Commercial de La Praille in Geneva
- 13, 16, 20, 23 of December, 2019
11 Ways to find Santa Claus in Switzerland
11 Ways to find Santa in Switzerland
Whether you call him Samichlaus, Pere Nöel, Babbo Natale or Saint Nicholas, every child gets excited about Santa Claus. So as the holidays draw near, here are 11 different ways for you and your children to find Santa Claus this season.
1. You may have heard that Santa lives far away in the North Pole, but actually he is much closer than you think. Take the special Santa cogwheel train to Santa Claus’ house on the top of the Rochers-de-Naye mountain. He’s opened the doors to his home and is inviting you to come in. After seeing him at his home, take the train back down to Montreux to see him and his reindeer fly high in the sky over Lake Leman everyday from 21.11.19 through 24.12.19
- While Santa may live on top of a mountain, did you know there is an actual town called St. Niklaus? It is nestled in heart of the beautiful Nikolai Valley just a short distance from Zermatt and Saas Fe. Your kids will marvel at the tallest Santa in the world, which was even featured in the Guinness Book of World Records. At 36 meters high, St. Niklaus serves as its home. So come for the Santa but stay for the amazing winter activities including 5 Family Funparks, fondue in a cable car and of course, access to fourteen 4’000-metre peaks, including the Matterhorn!
- While Santa may live on top of a mountain, did you know there is an actual town called St. Niklaus? It is nestled in heart of the beautiful Nikolai Valley just a short distance from Zermatt and Saas Fe. Your kids will marvel at the tallest Santa in the world, which was even featured in the Guinness Book of World Records. At 36 meters high, St. Niklaus serves as its home. So come for the Santa but stay for the amazing winter activities including 5 Family Funparks, fondue in a cable car and of course, access to fourteen 4’000-metre peaks, including the Matterhorn!
- The master confectioners at Kambly have developed a special event that every child will be excited about – making their own chocolate Santa Claus! Using rich, delicious chocolate, your child will have a treat that is fun to make and tasty to eat! But that’s not the only thing you will find at the Kambly experience. Be sure to visit all the attractions of the Kambly Christmas Market including baking a gingerbread house, listening to fairy tale stories in the forest and watching the Punch and Judy show in the Christmas tent. They’ve also got great Christmas gifts, including customizing your own tin filled with Kambly’s mouthwatering biscuits!
- Have you ever heard Santa actually speak? Well he will when he gives a speech at the annual Saint-Nicolas Day event that occurs this year on 01.12.19. If that weren’t already enough, your kids get to also play bingo, witness a torch-lit parade and… could it be… even get gifts?! All in front of the beautiful setting of Bulle castle. If that isn’t dream-like way to spend the evening, we don’t know what is.
- Have you ever heard Santa actually speak? Well he will when he gives a speech at the annual Saint-Nicolas Day event that occurs this year on 01.12.19. If that weren’t already enough, your kids get to also play bingo, witness a torch-lit parade and… could it be… even get gifts?! All in front of the beautiful setting of Bulle castle. If that isn’t dream-like way to spend the evening, we don’t know what is.
- Torches also feature prominently at Klausjagen Parade on 05.12.19 in Küssnacht am Rigi. More than 1’400 people participate in this procession including whip-crackers, iffele-bearers, cowbell-ringers, and horn-blowers. And of course, the central figure of all this noisy and bright action, Saint Nicolas himself.
- What if one Santa isn’t enough? Maybe you prefer to be surrounded by many Santas. Especially Santas who love winter sports as much as you do. On 30.11.19, you gwt your wish when the Sauman ski resort in Engadin hosts the Santa Claus World Championship (ClauWau). There will be 7 different disciplines including snow sculpture-building, chimney climbing, e-snowmobile race and even a treasure hunt. We wonder what treasure Santa has hidden under the snow for this special event…!
- What if one Santa isn’t enough? Maybe you prefer to be surrounded by many Santas. Especially Santas who love winter sports as much as you do. On 30.11.19, you gwt your wish when the Sauman ski resort in Engadin hosts the Santa Claus World Championship (ClauWau). There will be 7 different disciplines including snow sculpture-building, chimney climbing, e-snowmobile race and even a treasure hunt. We wonder what treasure Santa has hidden under the snow for this special event…!
- Did you know Santa can also swim? See many different incarnations of Santa jump into Zürich’s freezing Limmat River for the annual Zürcher Samiclaus-Schwimmen that takes place on 08.12.19. Or perhaps you want to participate yourself! If so, make sure you’re as timely as the Swiss trains when registration opens. Last year the event, which supports the Caritas charity, sold out in just over three hours!
- You’ve seen Santa ride his sleigh but did you know he can also drive motorcycles? On 07.12.19, see 50 Harley-driving Santas at the Harley-Niggi-Näggi Event in Basel. This is also a charity event that benefits the Theodora Foundation, which provides clowns to bring smiles to the faces of children in hospitals.
- You’ve seen Santa ride his sleigh but did you know he can also drive motorcycles? On 07.12.19, see 50 Harley-driving Santas at the Harley-Niggi-Näggi Event in Basel. This is also a charity event that benefits the Theodora Foundation, which provides clowns to bring smiles to the faces of children in hospitals.
- Santa is probably best known for giving gifts to children all over the world. It’s his core competence, after all. But what if he couldn’t give gifts any longer? Find out how children help Santa find his way in Buon Natale, Babbo Natale, a musical playing on 15.12.19 in Bellinzona.
- Every child loves a good story. Swiss Post has 3 audio stories about Santa Claus to delight your little one this holiday season. Furthermore, for the past several years, Swiss Post has had a dedicated team answering children’s letters on behalf of the very busy Santa Claus. So let your kids know they should start writing!
- Every child loves a good story. Swiss Post has 3 audio stories about Santa Claus to delight your little one this holiday season. Furthermore, for the past several years, Swiss Post has had a dedicated team answering children’s letters on behalf of the very busy Santa Claus. So let your kids know they should start writing!
- Finally, Santa appreciates that you love him so much that you are willing to go all over Switzerland to find him. Guess what? He will happily come visit you too. In many towns and villages across Switzerland, you can book a local Santa through the Claus Directory. When visiting families, some will tell stories and give gifts like Chlausgruppe Nidau. Some also visit classrooms, playgroups and nursing homes like Klauskomitee Jona while others visit companies and social clubs like Samiklaus & Schmutzli. St. Nikolausgesellschaft der Stadt Zürich even has a free hotline your kids can call or – in true 21st-century fashion – a Whatsapp number your kids can text! Yes, Santa is easily accessible and truly everywhere.
5 Non-Christmas Observances in December
Welcome to December
Overwhelmed by all the Christmas fanfare? Just want to do something – anything – that does not involve a crush of shoppers stepping on your feet, dozens of stringed lights flashing in your eyes or the smell of gingerbread wafting up your nose? With our catalogue of non-Christmas observances, you will be able to appreciate December and not become like Scrooge, muttering “Bah Humbug!”
International Human Rights Day
10 December 2019
The world is now supporting over 7.5 billion people. With every negative news story, it can be depressing to know what’s happening to, by and because of people. However, we are all here, each one of us unique and matchless, sharing this one world. Therefore, let’s respect our right to co-exist on our beautiful Planet Earth peacefully.
Winter Solstice
21 December 2019
This day is seemingly one of dismay because it’s the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. We see things differently. We see it as the kickoff to days growing longer and brighter. So celebrate winter solstice with gratitude for making it to midwinter and eager anticipation for the increasing light to come!
Gluten-Free Baking Week
The week before Christmas
Chances are high that you have already indulged in numerous Christmas cookies, breads and cakes this month. The treats were probably very pretty and very delicious, right? Well, the season isn’t done yet. So why not participate in gluten-free baking week by trying at least one of the countless recipes you can easily find online. Because chances are also high that you know someone who does not eat gluten.
Review the last decade
Month of December
It’s that time again when you’re flooded with year-end reviews. If you forgot anything about 2019, you’re sure to be reminded this month… whether it’s your year-end assessment at work, a list of the top political stories around the world, a ranking of the most downloaded songs on Spotify, or an appraisal of the fanciest award-show outfits of the rich and famous. However, don’t forget that 2019 marks the end of the 2010s. It seems crazy, we know, because like you, we also wonder how time went so fast! Since we do go so fast these days, we barely have time to reflect and appreciate how we much we have learned and evolved. So, let’s try to do so this month. This goes beyond what you accomplished (or didn’t) – but instead let’s reflect on who we’ve become and all that we are grateful for.
Get excited for 2020
Month of December
Now that we’ve looked into the past, let’s dust off our crystal ball and imagine what type of future we want. The possibilities are truly endless. Sometimes, however, endless possibilities can feel overwhelming. But that’s ok. Be present… take it one day at a time. And remember, 2020 is a leap year, so you have an extra day next year to do and be whatever you want.
Unique Things to do in November
The clocks have changed. The days are growing shorter. The sun seems as far away as the best friend you haven’t seen since primary school. You feel like you’re in a boxing match against the cold wind that is constantly pounding you.
Welcome to Winter
For many people, winter means doom and gloom. But there are several unique things to do in Switzerland that will make winter your favourite time of year.
Switzerland is the land of chocolate, so you can easily take full advantage of all the deliciousness that will feed your stomachs and your souls.
1.The Funky Chocolate Club in Interlaken offers daily chocolate making workshops where you get to eat as much chocolate as you like. Yes, yes, you read that correctly… as much as you like. So, try not to eat too much before you get there!
2. Have a steaming cup of thick, rich and dark hot chocolate in places such as Felix Café or Café Schober in Zurich. This is not the typical sachet of powder that you have to pour into a glass of lukewarm milk by yourself. No, the hot chocolate at establishments such as these are homemade and almost like a tiny meal onto themselves!
3. Acrobats, dancers, musicians, oh my! The circus has become a traditional way to celebrate
Christmas for many families in Switzerland. Both the Cirque de Noel in Geneva and Circus Conelli in Zurich have shows nearly every evening, including special dinner nights and celebrations for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Prepare to be amazed…
Ticino Treats
It is generally understood that the Italian-speaking region of Ticino tends to be at least a free degrees warmer than the rest of the country. Take a day or two to visit the beautiful canton, and whilst there, enjoy the following food-centric events.
4. The 5th Gastronomic Review of Pumpkins proves that pumpkin season is still in full effect. Enjoy a taste sensation from dishes chefs created from 45 different types of pumpkins. 45!! Can you believe it? We didn’t know there were so many pumpkin varieties either!
5. It’s also the season of game meats. So if you want to try something beyond the typical cordon bleu, check out the Goat Meat Gastronomic Festival. If your child makes a funny face at you at the idea of eating goat, just make sure chicken nuggets or pasta arrabiata is also on menu!
Beyond Netflix
Love the whole experience of actually sitting in the cinema to watch a film? Perhaps while enjoying some popcorn or ice cream. You’re in luck because Switzerland serves as host to two different film festivals this month.
6. Before feasting on pumpkins and goats, be sure to stop in Bellinzona, the capital of Ticino, to attend the 32ndCastellinaria Festival del Cinema Giovane. The festival, a member of the European Children’s Film Association, highlights films that deal with topics relevant to young people.
7. Choose among over 200 short films to watch at the 23rd Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur. Included are shorts especially for kids ages 6 and above and youth programs for ages 12 to 16.
Yoga
Take your time.
Moving abroad can be as stressful as it is exciting. Switzerland with its high standard of living and impeccable organization might at first seem a fairly easy location to get used to, but as the months go by and the initial novelty wears off newcomers often find themselves facing a rollercoaster of emotions. In the midst of the everyday annoyances of not understanding how things work, the frustration of being reduced to the communication level of a seven year old in your new language, the many cultural misunderstandings and the inevitable social faux pas, you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed and a little lost. Indeed, the severity of culture shock should never be underestimated.
Most of us take our support networks for granted until family, friends and colleagues are no longer physically present
— Expat Parents
Breathe the world.
Most of us take our support networks for granted until family, friends and colleagues are no longer physically present, so much so that we do not even realize how much support they actually give us. Meeting new people and encountering different cultures can be exhilarating but establishing those new networks does not happen overnight. Perhaps it is marriage that brought you to Switzerland in which case your spouse might not know how best to help you adjust to the new language and culture. If you are both new to the country it may also be that your partner’s time is taken up with the new role in a new office and you may feel alone in your struggle to adapt to a new life without the status and routine that a job brings with it. In any case there are as many scenarios as there are Swiss cheeses and each of them comes with their own set of joys and challenges.
Another tried and tested (and scientifically approved) method for de-stressing and taking your mind off negative thoughts is Yoga.
Carl Jung
All of this can sometimes leave you mulling over your life: past (things weren’t so bad after all) and future (where the hell am I going from here), leaving you to neglect a little the present. One of the best ways to overcome this is by reconnecting with yourself in the here and now. Contact with nature can help immensely (and Switzerland is blessed with an abundance of hiking trails to enjoy the glorious countryside). Another tried and tested (and scientifically approved) method for de-stressing and taking your mind off negative thoughts is yoga.
In the 1930s, Switzerland’s very own Carl Jung was one of the first to study Eastern thought and the inner experience and to relate it to Western psychology. Whilst warning against the differences existing between Eastern and Western psyches and the dangers of adopting practices that have evolved in an Eastern context, he nonetheless believed in the importance of the West studying and gaining inspiration from the East whilst pursuing its own form of yoga within a Western historical consciousness. Today, yoga schools abound in the West and the enthusiasm for yoga shows no signs of abating. Little wonder when you consider the health benefits. From improved posture and flexibility to self-awareness and relieving anxiety, yoga is a natural way to alleviate stress and fortify the immune system.
"You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do"
— Carl Jung
Free your mind.
Long gone is the image of the Western hippy practicing yoga in a cult-like fashion, nowadays yoga appeals to people from all walks of life. You don’t have to be a vegan (or even eat organic food) and you most certainly do not need to be a teetotaler. With more than 100 types of yoga – some focusing more on meditation and breathing whilst others provide a more physical workout – there is something for everyone. International Yoga Day is coming up on 21st June – which one will you choose?
In Praise of Trees
There is an old Icelandic joke which goes: If you get lost in a forest in Iceland, just stand up. The village of Vardø in Norway’s most northern region goes to great lengths to protect its one and only tree during the harsh cold months. Winter is followed by a charming ceremony during which local schoolchildren unwrap the precious tree from its protective covering. Whilst the Icelandic volcanic landscapes and the Norwegian windswept tundra are a wonder to behold, trees are somewhat scarce on the ground.
Switzerland suffers no such shortage with one third of its territory covered in woodland. Lakes and mountains may be the first image of Switzerland that comes to mind, but what would those lush, velvety rolling hills and ragged mountains be without a healthy sprinkling of forests and pinewoods? The revolutionary Forestry Law of 1876 (which has since been subject to only minor amendments) does a particularly good job of managing Switzerland’s 500 million or so trees by ensuring that woods and forests not only serve a recreational function, but that they are also distributed all over the country following a policy of ‘continuous cover’ to protect towns, villages and infrastructure from avalanches, and mudslides. Thanks to a deforestation ban and careful management, agricultural land and Alpine pasture areas are being reclaimed and Swiss woodland is increasing at the rate of an area the size of Lake Thun each year.
From the Norse mythological Yggdrasil, to the Mayan Ceiba tree via the tree spirts of German folklore, trees have long held a symbolic significance in our myths, legends and religions.
Trees, of course, do more than just provide protection and a convenient raw material. From the Norse mythological Yggdrasil, to the Mayan Ceiba tree via the tree spirts of German folklore, trees have long held a symbolic significance in our myths, legends and religions. Our relationship with trees is also firmly entrenched in the scientific realm. Humans, as we all know, breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, whereas trees do it the other way round. We make the perfect couple. Just as we cannot live without water, we need trees. Scientific studies also show that merely looking at images of trees bolsters the central nervous system and induces calm. Contact with the real thing, therefore, can work wonders on our overcharged and overstressed minds.
The Japanese have understood the soothing effect that trees have on the psyche and elsewhere people are following suit. Shirin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) is the latest idea from the land of Zen. Spend time around trees and reap the restorative benefits they say. Once again, science agrees: lower blood pressure, lower heart rates and lower cortisol levels. Looking at trees will allow your parasympathetic nervous system (the ‘rest and digest’ response) to gain an edge over your sympathetic nervous system (the ‘fight or flight’ when quick action is needed). Little wonder then that a walk in the woods leaves you feeling calmer and more serene. Another point in favour of trees goes back to our evolutionary visual system. Our ancestors lived in forest and grassland environments and so our visual system evolved focusing on natural images containing fewer variations in colour and the same amount of detail no matter how much they are enlarged. Our brain focuses on such ‘invariant images’ from nature very easily, but finds it harder to process the ‘variant images’ from our modern world of computer screens and striped patterns. In fact striped patterns (and this includes text) are particularly problematic. Escaping the world of computer screens and modern buildings and stairways with their rectangular patterns and stripes therefore gives our eyes a welcome break.
So if you can’t see the wood for the trees then more trees might actually be just what the doctor ordered. Take time out from your screens (and those troublesome stripes) and put more leaves in your life. Enjoy the natural wonders (and forest management successes) of Swiss woodland and forests, whilst reconnecting with those majestic giants to whom we owe so much. Breathe in, breathe out and think green, green, green.
Valentines
Feb 14th
St. Valentine
Valentine’s Day tends to provoke very strong reactions in people. Some love it, some hate it. Some people organize the perfect day while others can’t wait for the day to be over. If Valentine’s Day is the day to celebrate love, and, presumably, everyone loves love, then why is this day so polarizing
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Traditionally, Valentine’s Day is for romantic love. So, if you happened to be, as actress Emma Watson recently coined it, self-partnered, you may have felt left out. Even if you were in a relationship with another person, you might have resentful at the costs and the expectations surrounding the day.
According to the ancient Greeks, there are many types of love. Along with self-love, there is the love between friends, between family members, for our pets, and much more. Moreover, the love between friends has its own Valentine’s Day spin-offs, namely Palentine’s Day (between friends of any gender) and Galentine’s Day(between female friends specifically.) As inherently social creatures who text and like social media posts more often then we have a conversation, taking the time to express our love to our nearest and dearest is vitally important. Otherwise, time passes quickly, and we find that we have unintentionally taken our relationships for granted. And suddenly, we feel incredibly lonely despite being so connected.
No matter how you decide to commemorate February 14th – whether on your own or with the special person(s) in your life – here in Switzerland, there are many ways to show you care.
1. Photos
Visit the Ifolor website to finally do something with some of the photos in your phone. You can create customized Valentine Day cards, books, mugs, phone cases and more. You can even personalize shin guards for your little football player.
1. Photos
Visit the Ifolor website to finally do something with some of the photos in your phone. You can create customized Valentine Day cards, books, mugs, phone cases and more. You can even personalize shin guards for your little football player.
2. Flowers
Panamy is a Swiss-based florist that delivers all over Switzerland by Swiss Post. Order a bouquet of gorgeous flowers in their signature blue Flowerbox (no vase needed!) and check out their Valentine’s Day tips to make the day extra special. Happiness guaranteed.
2. Flowers
Panamy is a Swiss-based florist that delivers all over Switzerland by Swiss Post. Order a bouquet of gorgeous flowers in their signature blue Flowerbox (no vase needed!) and check out their Valentine’s Day tips to make the day extra special. Happiness guaranteed.
3. Balloons
BallonBox Shop has Valentine’s Day-themed balloons for everyone, whether they are a child or an adult. They even have a slow-burning, heart-shaped candle that would be a great surprise on top of any dessert.
3. Balloons
BallonBox Shop has Valentine’s Day-themed balloons for everyone, whether they are a child or an adult. They even have a slow-burning, heart-shaped candle that would be a great surprise on top of any dessert.
4. Fun Gifts
For the fun, weird, cheeky, or cool gift, look to Radbag. You can get unique gifts for all your loved ones including personalized sequin pillows and yes, even unicorn tears!
4. Fun Gifts
For the fun, weird, cheeky, or cool gift, look to Radbag. You can get unique gifts for all your loved ones including personalized sequin pillows and yes, even unicorn tears!
5. Personalised Chocolates
Toblerone is quintessential Swiss. Now you can personalize your own. You can write a name, a word or phrase of up to 15 characters and it will appear on the chocolate you order. We tried it by writing “I love you♥.”
5. Personalised Chocolates
Toblerone is quintessential Swiss. Now you can personalize your own. You can write a name, a word or phrase of up to 15 characters and it will appear on the chocolate you order. We tried it by writing “I love you♥.”
Bonus: Valentine’s Day means seeing hearts ♥ everywhere as it is the universal sign for love. Yet the heart is also the organ that nourishes our blood and keeps us alive. During the month of February in the US and the UK, the heart is not only celebrated on Valentine’s Day, but also the center of major awareness campaigns about cardiovascular diseases. In Switzerland, statistics published by Swiss Heart Foundation reveal that cardiovascular diseases were the leading cause of death in 2014, accounting for nearly one-third of the people that died. Demonstrate the universal love of mankind by donating to the organization’s efforts in cardiovascular research, education and prevention.