Swedish gifts for birthdays, Christmas or any other occasion
Do you know someone who already went to Sweden a couple of times and has totally fallen in love with the country? Is that person going to have birthday soon? Or maybe there is some other celebration coming up, like Christmas or a housewarming party?
You maybe ask yourself, what can I buy to make a Sweden fan happy? The answer is near…
Below you will find a few suggestions and ideas what you could give to a Sweden fan as a gift… and in the bottom of this page, you find three awkward presents you should never, under no circumstances, give to a Sweden lover.
Great present ideas for all who love Sweden
In this gift idea list I am going to show you a wide range of diverse typical Swedish products. Some can be found in a typical Swedish gift shop and some are a bit more extraordinary. Let's start with one of the most popular symbols of Sweden, the Dalecarlian Horse:
1. Dalecarlian horse, Dalahäst
It’s the number one classic Swedish souvenir: The Dala horse, or Dalecarlian horse. Originally it comes from the region of Dalarna. (Which is why it's called Dala Horse.) Even if it's almost a little bit too tacky, it's still a nice decorative object. When your friends spot it in your shelve they will probably ask, “Aha, you've been travelling to Sweden? How was it?”
Buy an original Dala horse from Sweden, here!
Learn more about the red horse from Sweden, here.
2. Swedish flag
If your friend is a Sweden fan, he or she might already own one. If you haven't seen one on their desk or on the window sill yet, a Swedish flag might be a good gift idea.
Here are different sizes for various demands and budgets. For example, the large flag can be found in dorm rooms of international students in Sweden, or in former exchange students' rooms in their home country. A great souvenir for all those who cherish some great memories gathered during a stay abroad.
I have one Sweden flag placed on my dining table, and one close to my desk in my office.
- Large (for the wall or flag pole): Flag, large
- Medium (for the table or shelve): Swedish Table-Flag, metal, here
- Small (for the flower pot or the tooth gape) Small Sweden Flags 100 pcs pack, here
3. Typical Swedish alcohol – for thirsty party animals
Absolut Vodka
Many people didn't know that Absolut Vodka comes from Sweden. But if you look closely at the label, you'll see in italic letters “Country of Sweden”.
Absolut Vodka small bottles, buy here on Amazon
4. Books about Sweden
For the bookworm
How to be Swedish – A Quick Guide to Swedishness – in 55 Steps, now on Amazon
There are the books about Sweden (here the list with my favourite books about Sweden) – travel guides and image bands. And then there are books, such as novels or thrillers that play in Sweden.
If your Sweden fan friend is a bookworm and does not yet have the latest book by well-known Swedish writers in his or her book shelve or on the bedside table, you can find an overview over the most popular Sweden crime novels (new books and bestsellers) here.
- Swedish books on Amazon.com, here
- Children's books from Sweden, here
- Books about the meanings of names, here
5. ABBA You Can Dance or Karaoke
For those with an undiscovered dancing or singing talent
This Playstation or computer game is very popular among Swedish.
Let's sing “Gimme Gimme Gimme” together with your friend!
6. Wool blankets and covers with Sweden motives
These blankets from Klippans wool factory (Klippan is the name of a city in the south of Sweden. Ikea named a sofa after the same city.) These blankets are very popular among young modern Swedes as well as Sweden lovers in all ages.
Buy this blanket and other Swedish decoration and interior design, here
7. Bird house – in classic Swedish cottage house style
For Sweden fans with garden or balcony
Nice object for the garden or balcony. If there are the blue-yellow Blackhawk feeds – Jackpot! :)
Buy a Swedish birdhouse, here
8. Swedish language course
For the talkative Sweden lover
If the Sweden fan will go to this country any time soon, for travels, studies or work, a course to learn some basic Swedish might come handy. This Swedish course helps beginners and advanced learners to practice their Swedish, so they can impress any Swede at the hotel's reception desk, in the office or at the bar.
Hej, hur mår du? – Hello, how are you?
Free and upgraded (paid) Swedish online course, here
9. Swedish sweets
For the sweet tooth
Göteborgs Ballerina
Ahlgrens Bilar
Above a few classic Swedish treats. After regularly repeated quality controls, I can confirm, each is very delicious.
These and more Swedish sweets on Amazon, here!
10. Homemade Swedish cakes
Why not baking a typical Swedish cake or pastry yourself? For example, the hugely popular Princess cake (prinsesstårta) or the Swedish cinnamon rolls (kanelbullar).
If you are too lazy to do so, you will find deep frozen ones at IKEA… ;)
11. IKEA gift card
Of course, you can always fall back to an IKEA gift card. You can buy it in any IKEA store or order it online. Very convenient if you find yourself in the situation that you have to get a present within the next 10-15 minutes or so. Just print it out and hand it over to your Sweden lover friend. I can not imagine that there is any person on earth who would get an IKEA gift card but wouldn't find anything useful, fun or delicious at IKEA.
12. Spotify gift card
For the music enthusiast
Did you know, the music streaming service Spotify is a Swedish company? And of course you find all the great hits of ABBA, Avicii, Roxette and Swedish House Mafia on Spotify as well…
13. Outdoor equipment
For the outdoor fans and survival specialists
Sweden is known for its vast, beautiful nature. Many Swedes and Sweden fans love to go hiking or camping. In order to be prepared for all weather conditions, robust outdoor products are very popular. Fjällräven is a hugely popular brand not only in Sweden but all over the world. You have probably seen their well-known backpack Kånken at some point. I own one and although I was sceptic in the beginning (it reminded me of school backpacks), I warmed up to it quickly and it is now a much appreciated companion on weekend trips, excursions as well as notebook working sessions in cafés.
Fjällräven, Swedish outdoor brand with the red fox, here
14. Viking chess, kubb
Swedish kubb (Viking Chess) is great fun to play during a barbecue or when you spend time with your family and friends outdoors, in the garden or park. It's easy to learn and can be played by all who are able to throw a stick.
15. Trip to Sweden
For those who want to see and experience something really beautiful (or exciting)
Why not going to Sweden for a weekend? Stockholm and Gothenburg are perfect for shopping. The regions Småland and Norrland are great for outdoor experiences. This gift for Sweden fans doesn’t have to be expensive at all…
Find the perfect hotel, hostel or flight to Sweden, with Booking.com here
Best places to visit in Sweden, and which to avoid
Christmas bonus
The Swedish “Santa” is a actually a little gnome called “jultomte“. You can find him in all forms and shapes as well as prints on for example on kitchen towels and mugs. Many Swedes decorate their window sills with a little jultomte, or place him on a shelve or under the Christmas tree.
Things you should NOT give as presents to Sweden lovers
If you do not like the person who you are supposed to buy a present for, consider one of the following options. When the Sweden fan opens the present, enjoy their surprised facial expression and failing acting skills – “Oh! That's great! Thank youuu! 😬 I always wanted to have one of th…” – no, they didn't ;)
Silly 1: Keychain with Swedish flag
Kitschyyyy! Much worse than a cinema gift card. ;)
Silly 2: This Fridge Magnet
This is only suitable for Sweden fans who are male, and in the age between 15 and 17.
Silly 3: Moose Stickers for the Car
This is one of the most typical Swedish Gifts.
Only ok, if the Sweden fan has a shelve in the living room decorated with miniatures of the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty.
I hope you found these gift ideas inspiring? Which present idea would you add to to the list?
Share this post with your friends!
Also interesting
- Swedish fashion brands
- Swedish traditions
- Learn Swedish – quick & easy
- Sweden travel – tips and recommendations
- Books about Sweden
trying to organise a christmas cheese and wine hamper to send to my son who is living in sweden What internet site would it be possible to do this from
Hej, Esmae! Unfortunately, I don’t know where to get those from. But if you have found a good online shop or other source where to find a Christmas cheese and wine hamper, you’re welcome to share it here in the comments. “God jul!”
There is a tiny birdhouse ON that birdhouse??
Yeah, funny, isn’t it? It’s probably only habitable by species the size of bugs. Which makes it the perfect food storage for the birds ;)
My family liked hand-carved butter spreaders and östhyvels. These took little space in the luggage. Dala horses for the barnbarn, of course!