Gift giving does not have to be difficult. Here are just a few ideas for the person that loves hiking and the Alps.

Ryder-Walker Gift Certificate – This one should be obvious. Help that friend or relative realize their dream of hiking in the Alps. Send them on a hiking tour in Europe, or in the States. Please call the office for more details.

The Fondue Set – An all time favorite. Ceramic is the traditional material for cheese. The metal versions work better for oil and meat fondues.

Raclette Oven – You’re missing something if you’ve never had raclette. Like fondue, this is a great party favorite, but unlike fondue, each person melts their own cheese. Raclette can be an intimate affair or a solo appetizer. We always fire one up during the Ryder-Walker Christmas parties.

Crepe Pan – I’ve loved crepes since I was a child. The Staub pans are my favorite, though they tend to be the priciest. The spreader is the key to a good crepe.

Grolla – This is a tradition unique to the Val d’Aosta of northern Italy. If you’ve ever traveled with us on our Tour du Mont Blanc or Italian High Route, then you’re probably familiar with this little friendship cup. This is another crowd pleaser.

Grappa – If you buy a grolla then you’ll need grappa. Support your local economy and visit your neighborhood wine store.

Schneider Weiss – I would be a happy camper if I found a few bottles of this beer in my stocking. Schneider Weiss almost single handedly revived the wheat beer tradition from obscurity. They call themselves Das Original for good reason.

Trekking Poles – EVERY Alpine hiker should have a pair of these.

Hiking Socks – I can never have enough of these. SmartWool is one of our favorites.

Compass – We recommend that every self-guided traveler carry a compass. This is a great stocking stuffer.

GPS – These have really come into their own. I always carry a compass for backup, but I enjoy playing with new technology. This is a great gift for a gadget freak-gear head.

Headlamp – You’ll enjoy this handy source of illumination while trying to find the bathroom in a mountain hut during the middle of the night.

Yodeling Pickle – Enough said.

Henry the Talking Gnome – This is another great stocking stuffer. Just push the secret spot and record your greeting. You’ll enjoy laughter the whole day through.

Gnomes – I’ll admit that I used to be a gnome doubter. Travel to the Alps enough times however, and they start to find their way into your heart.

Reusable Water Bottle – Especially when traveling, a reusable water bottle is a must. No more single-use plastics!

Toblerone – A classic. Poke around their website for some interesting trivia.

The Swiss Army Knife – It has to be Victorinox. This was my first knife and it was a turning point in my life. It’s a rite of passage for every young boy. You might want to buy a box of band-aids as well.

Living Language – These guys have everything from basic phrase books to in-depth courses. You can download to your i Pod or listen to CDs. The Ultimate series rivals some school courses.

Bilingual Visual Dictionary – These books are awesome. I have a couple that I keep around for reference. They use real-life photos so there’s no doubt about the translation. They cover everything from food to the environment.

Plant a Tree – It’s no secret that a flight to Europe will enlarge your carbon footprint many, many times. Sequester some of that carbon, and offset a few of the effects, by planting trees.