Each winter, as the first candles of the Advent are lit, villages across the Alps are wrapped in a rare kind of magic. Towns like Gstaad and Megève shimmer brighter than ever, transforming into chocolate box visions of festive perfection: beautifully adorned Christmas trees peek 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 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 boutique for its craftsmanship, authenticity and charm, ensuring you will find gifts that are as meaningful and exceptional as the people receiving them. 

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 boutiques. Here, festive shopping 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 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. graff.com 

Chanel (Lauenenstrasse 2): Chanel’s illustrious winter boutique spans a two-storey timber chalet in the heart of Gstaad. 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. chanel.com 

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. marinaanouilh.com 

ÉPHÉMÈRES by DH (Dorfstrasse 41): Well worth the five-minute drive to picturesque Saanen, ÉPHÉMÈRES by DH is a 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. bydh.ch 

Pour les Gourmets: 

Gstaad Chocolate Shop (Viktoriastrasse 3): The Gstaad Chocolate Shop takes the art of chocolaterie to new levels. An artisan chocolate shop, 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 gifts that will delight the eyes and tastebuds. gstaadchocolateshop.com 

It is with great excitement that we announce the launch of the Ultima Promenade Gstaad Pop-Up Boutique on 13 December, created in collaboration with fashion leaders Wicky Store. From the seclusion of our prestigious chalet, guests can enjoy a uniquely personalised shopping experience, 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, including an exclusive stretch leather collection by Stouls Paris. For clients seeking unfettered privacy, we also offer private appointments outside regular opening hours.

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 town. 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 mementos at mulled wine-scented markets.   

Luxury Maisons: 

Guilhem Joaillier (115 Rue Charles Feige): Dating to 1865, Guilhem Joaillier is one of Megeve’s most prestigious 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. guilhem-joaillier.com 

Prêt à porter: 

Loro Piana (170 Place de l’Église): Known the world over 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. loropiana.com 

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. aalard.com 

Curated Collections: 

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. pure-altitude.com 

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 gifts for men, such as engraved Montblanc pens or S.T. Dupont cigar lighters and monogram cufflinks. scarlett.fr 

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. au-soli.com 

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 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.