Scandinavian gifts: Nordic ideas for Christmas

Do you know someone who heads to Sweden every summer, bakes cinnamon buns or has a shelf full of candles? Then you are probably looking for Scandinavian gifts that do not look like an impulse buy from a flat pack furniture store. Here are Nordic gift ideas sorted by what the person loves about the North, a few Scandinavian Christmas traditions for inspiration, and an honest look at where products with "Nordic" in the name actually come from.

First, what do they love about the North?

"Scandinavian" can mean a lot of things. Think briefly about which type they are and the present will hit the mark:

• The hygge type: loves warm, calm and cosy.
• The outdoor type: wants to be outside whatever the weather.
• The sauna type: plans the winter around sauna day.
• The design and food type: likes beautiful things and good food.

Scandinavian gifts by type

For hygge fans

Thick wool socks, a blanket for the sofa, chunky pillar candles or a Danish calendar candle: a candle marked with 24 lines, burnt down a little each day during Advent. Add a good book and a tea for long evenings. If they are making their home cosier, they may like some bathroom ideas too, which you will find in Hygge in the bathroom.

For outdoor people

Norwegians have a word for it: friluftsliv, life in the open air. Good presents include a decent flask, a wool felt sitting pad, a head torch for dark afternoons or a merino beanie. A small extra for the rucksack is a shampoo bar: the Skargard birch shampoo bar is inspired by the Swedish archipelago, weighs 60 g, works for hair and body and cannot leak in a bag. For more ideas for people with a tent or a camper van, see our gifts for campers.

For sauna lovers

In Finland and Sweden, the sauna is simply part of winter for many people. Nice presents are a large linen sauna towel, a wool felt sauna hat, a wooden ladle or a sauna scent. We go into more detail in our sauna gifts.

For design lovers and foodies

A handmade ceramic mug, an oak chopping board, a simple brass candle holder. Or something to eat: crispbread, salty liquorice, Swedish style ginger biscuits, spice mix for glögg. For the brave there is Norwegian brown cheese, which tastes slightly of caramel. One tip: "Scandinavian design" does not automatically mean made in Scandinavia. If origin matters to you, check the label.

Scandinavian Christmas for inspiration

In Denmark, Norway and Sweden, Christmas Eve is the big day, with a festive meal and presents in the evening. A few traditions make lovely gift ideas or additions to your own Christmas dinner:

• Denmark: dessert is risalamande, a rice pudding with almonds. One whole almond is hidden in the bowl, and whoever finds it gets a small almond present. A nice idea for your own celebration.
• Norway: the nisse, a little household elf, is traditionally left a bowl of porridge. A felt nisse makes a sweet small present.
• Sweden: on 13 December people celebrate Lucia, with a crown of lights, songs and saffron buns.

Solid soaps with a Nordic link, explained honestly

"Nordic" ends up on soap and skincare labels very quickly. So here is exactly what we stock:

Stone Soap Spa is a brand from Norway. The soaps are shaped and marbled by hand in Thailand, so no two are alike. They are made in Thailand because that is where the ingredients grow: coconut, rice bran and sesame are processed fresh on site. The soaps look like polished stones, weigh 120 g and start at €13. Options include Charcoal Gold with coconut charcoal and 24 carat gold leaf, or the colourfully marbled Rainbow. Stock is small, so see the current selection under soaps & shampoos. To find out what a stone soap is and how to store it, read our article on stone soap.

And where does Soapi fit in?

Soapi is not Scandinavian, it is made in Berlin. The housing is injection-moulded from recycled plastic, around 90 % of which comes from discarded fishing nets and ropes. The nets are processed in Denmark and the moulding happens in Berlin. It still suits a simple Nordic style: you press a bottle cap halfway into a bar of soap, it hangs from the magnet on the wall and dries all round instead of going soggy in a dish. It sticks to tiles or glass without drilling and costs €12.95 in 10 colours. Want to send something to friends in Norway? We deliver there too.

Mix & Match: a small Nordic set

With Mix & Match you choose 5 products and pay €50, with free shipping within Germany. For example two Soapis in cream white and grey, the Skargard birch shampoo bar, a soap from Marseille and the magnetic key holder. That works out at €10 per present, handy for several people at once.

Frequently asked questions

Where do Stone Soap Spa soaps come from?

The brand is from Norway, while the soaps themselves are handmade in Thailand. We would rather say that clearly than simply write "from Norway".

Is Soapi a Scandinavian product?

No. It is injection-moulded in Berlin. Only the processed net material comes from Denmark.

In short

The best Scandinavian gifts match the recipient's way of life: cosiness, the outdoors, sauna or good design. If you need several small presents, put together your set with Mix & Match. For tips on wrapping solid soap nicely, read Giving solid soap as a gift.