Experiences

A Curated Guide to Festive Shopping in Gstaad and Megève 

12.12.2025
Published by
Ultima Collection
Destination Gstaad / m e l l - by Melanie Uhkötter

Each winter, as the first candles of the Advent are lit, villages across the Alps are wrapped in a rare kind of magic. In towns like Gstaad and Megève, festive shopping becomes an unforgettable experience as they transform into chocolate box visions of festive perfection. Enjoy magical streets with beautifully adorned Christmas trees peeking out from chalet windows; horse-drawn sleighs are dressed with decorations crafted from fir, berries and mistletoe; and the scent of roast chestnuts drifts across bustling artisanal markets.  

It is a season to honour traditions, to return to a time when celebrations centred upon togetherness and acts of kindness. And, perhaps, it is a time to make your holiday about more than where you ski or stay, by dedicating moments to discovering thoughtful festive gifts that carry the spirit of the season and the warmth of shared memories home with you.  

For those of you who delight in combining the joys of a holiday with the pleasure of discovery, we have created an insider’s guide to festive shopping in Gstaad and Megève. We have handpicked each recommended boutique for its craftsmanship, authenticity and charm, ensuring you will find luxury Alpine gifts that are as meaningful and exceptional as the people receiving them. 

Gstaad’s Most Charming Boutiques for Festive Shopping

To stroll through Gstaad in winter is to find yourself in a silver-screen movie. Twinkling lights drape over snow-laden trees, eaves and windows, while fragrant pine wreaths and arches adorn ancient timber doors, and glittering shop windows beckon passers-by. These cinematic scenes lie directly on the doorstep of Ultima Promenade Gstaad or a short stroll in the crisp mountain air from Ultima Hotel Gstaad, with the option to add a chauffeur-driven car for seclusion and comfort alongside insider access to our preferred luxury boutiques. Festive shopping in Gstaad is a seasonal ritual, a chance to immerse yourself in Alpine style and the art of gifting.  

Luxury Maisons: 

Graff Boutique (Promenade 2): Stay at Ultima Hotel Gstaad over the festive period, and you’ll get to experience one of the most luxurious jewellery boutiques in Gstaad. Enjoy sparkling Graff decorations and the opportunity to join an exclusive gemmology masterclass. Should you wish to peruse a full collection of exquisite jewellery and watches, we can arrange an appointment at the Graff Boutique, set within a historic chalet on the Promenade.

Chanel (Lauenenstrasse 2): Chanel is a true highlight of luxury Christmas shopping in Gstaad. Chanel’s illustrious winter boutique spans a two-storey timber chalet in the heart of the Swiss resort town. The store showcases the emblematic Coco Neige 2025/26 collection as well as a curated selection of fine jewellery pieces and watches, bringing a sense of Parisian elegance to your holiday gifts

 

Curated Collections: 

Marina Anouilh (Promenade 6A): Marina Anouilh’s prized boutiques originated here in Gstaad, with unique collections of feminine clothing, accessories and rare objects. Every piece – a reversible silk jacket, a wide-brim Italian hat or a pair of hand-embroidered ballet flats – is selected by Marina herself, each one showcasing her impeccable style and commitment to ethical craftsmanship. 

ÉPHÉMÈRES by DH (Dorfstrasse 41): Well worth the five-minute drive to picturesque Saanen, ÉPHÉMÈRES by DH is a luxury Alpine concept store founded by Danielle Hakim. Housed in a chalet dating to 1850, the boutique features a rotating selection of handcrafted treasures, ranging from artisanal home décor pieces to designer handbag and clothing collaborations.

 

Pour les Gourmets: 

Gstaad Chocolate Shop (Viktoriastrasse 3): The Gstaad Chocolate Shop takes the art of chocolaterie to new levels. An artisan chocolate shop in Gstaad, complete with an atelier and café, it handcrafts exquisite chocolate truffles and pralines from mountain milk, cream and sustainably sourced cocoa. Drop in for a hot chocolate and homemade brioche, and stock up on Christmas gifts and gourmet souvenirs that will delight the eyes and taste buds.

 

It is with great excitement that we announce the launch of the winter’s hottest newcomer - the Ultima Promenade Gstaad Pop-Up Boutique. Created in collaboration with fashion leaders Wicky Store, the pop-up is set within a standalone chalet in the grounds of Ultima Promenade Gstaad. 

From this secluded spot, guests can enjoy a uniquely personalised shopping experience in Gstaad, guided by Wicky Store experts through a curated selection of pieces from leading young designers, master craftsmen and global brands. From flowing evening dresses and butter-soft cashmere to bespoke fur and leather accessories, our exclusive Gstaad boutique offers access to rare products sourced from some of the world’s finest maisons. For clients seeking unfettered privacy, we also offer private appointments outside regular opening hours.  

Luxury Christmas Shopping in Megève  

Megève sparkles in winter with a charm all its own. In keeping with tradition, the festivities begin with the town’s “Illumination du Sapin,” the switching on of the Christmas tree lights. The resulting blaze of a thousand lights adorning a majestic tree on Megève’s historic church square creates a dazzling centrepiece for this definitively glamorous Alpine destination in France. Horse-drawn sleighs carry visitors to softly -lit boutiques and candlelit cafés, while cheery stall holders invite you to sample local delicacies and buy artisanal Savoyard gifts at mulled wine-scented markets.  

Luxury Maisons in Megève:

Guilhem Joaillier (115 Rue Charles Feige): Dating to 1865, Guilhem Joaillier is one of Megeve’s most prestigious jewellery boutiques. Working with brands such as Rolex, Tudor, Messika and Vhernier, Maison Guilhem is also the atelier of Philippe Guilhem, known locally as “the jeweller of Megève.” Guilhem’s sought-after Mashandy collection comprises unique pieces of sculptural jewellery, handcrafted in partnership with his wife Maria, a respected gemmologist and muse of the House. This is the ideal boutique for finding a truly exceptional festive gift in Megève.

 

Prêt à porter: 

Loro Piana (170 Place de l’Église): Known over the world for flawless Italian craftsmanship, Loro Piana presents luxurious textiles and accessories, from cashmere scarves to winter outerwear. Each piece combines elegance with comfort, making it a stylish and thoughtful gift for Christmas.

AALLARD Boutique Accessoires (37 Quai du Prieuré): AALLARD is a Megève institution. In 1926, Armand Allard opened a small tailor’s shop on the top floor of a house on Megève’s church square. Four years later, a local client asked Allard to design him a pair of streamlined ski pants. Allard’s resulting tight, stretchy trousers, tapered to an elastic strap under foot, were promptly gifted to the man’s nephew, Émile Allais, who wore them to win the triple World Championship crown in 1937. The rest, as they say, is history.

 

Curated Collections in Megève: 

Pure Altitude Megève Concept Store (148 Rue Charles Feige): This charming store is a snowglobe of beauty and ‘art de vivre’ products. From Pure Altitude beauty products fuelled by mountain herbs and flowers to Popolo plates decorated with edelweiss, every item will evoke memories of your Alpine holiday or will make a thoughtful Alpine gift.

Scarlett Megève (27 Rue Charles Feige): A hybrid book shop, gallery and boutique, Scarlett offers limited-edition art publications, collectible furniture and unusual accessories. Created by interior designer Astrid Maillet-Contoz, who also conceived Scarlett St Tropez, this is the go-to boutique for Christmas gifts for men, such as engraved Montblanc pens or S.T. Dupont cigar lighters and monogram cufflinks.

Au Soli (33 Rue de la Poste): A gallery and antique shop dating to 1923, each item found at Au Soli carries a story, from antique wooden furniture and bespoke fabrics to rare decorative objects, making them ideal gifts for those with a passion for history and artistry. 

The Joy of Festive Discovery in the Alps

When you combine a holiday in the Alps with curated festive shopping, every gift tells a story. Selecting presents in this way helps you step away from generic retail experiences and engage instead with local craftsmanship and Alpine culture, uncovering gifts that are thoughtful, authentic and infused with Alpine spirit. At Ultima Hotel Gstaad, Ultima Promenade Gstaad and Ultima Megève, these moments weave seamlessly into each property’s private world of festive indulgence - intimate havens shaped by crackling fires, charming décor, exceptional cuisine and joy-filled gatherings.

Explore our collection

Discover our range of ultra-luxury villas, chalets and hotels. 

Step into our world…

Unlock exclusive access to our latest news and offers, stories by world-leading experts, plus the behind-the-scenes moments.