What do Berliners look forward to most in the run-up to Christmas? It’s not the arrival of the cold snap, grey skies and train chaos as soon as the first snowflakes fall, that’s for sure. But the City West (like the rest of the capital) is at its most beautiful in December. Every Christmas, the sea of lights on Ku’damm attracts visitors in their droves, many of whom also head over to Bikini Berlin – something that might have a lot to do with the festive gift-wrapping station that’s set up here every year.
December is a time for mulled wine, dinners with friends and colleagues – and the all-important preparations for the big day itself. But it doesn’t have to be stressful. Buying your presents and having them beautifully wrapped in plenty of time will help you avoid the dreaded last-minute dash around the shops. And that’s where Bikini Berlin comes in: rumour has it that Berlin’s only concept shopping mall is not only home to the city’s coolest gift-wrapping station with the most originally designed wrapping paper, but also the best gifts. The colourful mix of design, fashion and food stores is enough to brighten up even the bleakest of Berlin winters.
This year we have London-based photo artist Maisie Cousins to thank for the design of our gift-wrapping station and wrapping paper. Renowned for her eye-catching shots, the photographer creates extreme close-ups of objects, bodies and nature: this results in intensive compositions in eye-popping colours that you won’t be able to take your eyes off. And any gift wrapped in paper as cool as this simply has to be good!
You shouldn’t feel guilty for treating yourself too this Christmas. An exquisite selection of the finer things in life can be found here at Bikini Berlin. After all, don’t we all deserve a little reward for putting up with the Berlin winter? And who says you can’t have gifts to yourself beautifully wrapped as well?
