Christmas isn’t the only opportunity for gift-giving; on the contrary, it’s actually a year-round activity. Birthdays, weddings, housewarming parties – no matter the occasion, we all like to delight our friends and families with unique, quirky gifts. Cologne is home to just the right shops for that, all with extraordinary articles that to some extent are even made in Cologne!
Hennes’ Finest
Hennes’ Finest is a pepper boutique in the Belgian quarter. You read that correctly – this tiny, exquisite store on Moltkestrasse is all about the exotic spice. Its three young founders Sebastian, Martin and Bastian discovered their passion for pepper on a trip to Cambodia. Hennes’ Finest has a range of special pepper varieties and the requisite spice mills, along with sugars, salts, chutneys and even pepper beer. The perfect place to head for all foodies and indeed anyone who loves to eat and cook well!
Hennes’ Finest Boutique | Moltkestraße 125 | 50674 Cologne
Web: www.hennesfinest.com | www.facebook.com/hennesfinest
Postkartenladen
Postkartenladen on Breite Strasse is a Cologne institution. An uncounted number of postcards with a wide range of motifs compete with unusual gifts for shelf space. Postkartenladen is always my first port of all when I need an amusing giveaway quickly. It sells quirky books, home accessories, notepaper, pens and erasers, and that’s just for starters. Whether you’re looking for a gift for a child or your best friend, you’ll be sure to find something out of the ordinary here!
Postkartenladen | Breite Str. 93 | 50667 Cologne
NOGALLERY
Looking for an unconventional gift for an impending wedding? Or do you want to give visual expression to your innermost thoughts? Drop in at NOGALLERY in Apostelnstrasse, where they have 3D letters in an infinite number of combinations and variations. If you don’t find the perfect lettering straight away, simply choose from the over one thousand fonts, characters and designs in 17 colours and six sizes to design your very own. Besides the classic logos, the store also offers object art, necklaces and even magic wire that can be used to twist any message into shape.
NOGALLERY Store | Apostelnstraße 20 | 50667 Cologne
Web: no-gallery.com
Kauf Dich Glücklich
The name of this store translates to “shop yourself happy”, and that’s an order. A purchase translates into genuine happiness, so what could be better than to buy a gift here? Kauf Dich Glücklich has Scandinavia’s prettiest home decorations as well as a range of cosmetics and jewellery. Plus it sells fashion that would quicken the pulse of any trendsetter. And if you simply can’t make a choice – a voucher is a great way to bring happiness, too.
Kauf Dich glücklich | Neue Langgasse 2, Ecke Breite Straße | 50667 Cologne
AND AT Ehrenstraße 48 | 50672 Cologne
Web: www.kaufdichgluecklich-shop.de
Kenkawai
Kenkawai’s remarkable selection is infused by aesthetics, tradition and nature. Translated from the Japanese, KEN-KA-WAI signifies “health” and “being in flux”. This store in the Belgian quarter is one of my favourites, and not without reason. It has delicate ceramics and paper goods, yummy cosmetics and daily-use items for your kitchen and home. Kenkawai is particularly proud of its own-brand kishu binchotan, finely pored charcoal made of holm oak. Known also as Japanese or white coal, it’s traditionally used to filter and purify air and water.
+++ Unfortunately, KENKAWAI store&spa is closed +++
KENKAWAI store&spa | Brüsseler Str. 85 | 50672 Cologne
Web: www.facebook.com/kenkawai.store.spa
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