Highlights from the 2015 Gift Guide
Photo: Pixabay
Bewildered by holiday shopping? Fear not! Delight everyone on your list, including language learners, world travelers, foodies (& drinkies), outdoorsy types, kids, and the Norwegian who has everything. We’ve also included wearable gifts, must-have holiday foods, and decorations to make the season bright.
Only subscribers have access to the 2015 Gift Guide in its entirety. Print subscribers can view the guide in the Nov. 20 issue, and digital subscribers can find it in the online archives. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.
The Norski who has everything
God Jul banner from CaptureMyArtShop on Etsy. Deck the halls with this rustic banner. Approx. 2.5” square blocks of reclaimed wood, hand-lettered. $28. www.etsy.com
Needle Felted Gnome from FingerStuckFelts on Etsy. Need a little friend? Don’t tell Nils Anders Wik, but these just might be relatives of his. Handmade gnomes, or nisser if you prefer (and we do). Mini-gnomes (3-4”) $24, regular (8-9”) $29. www.etsy.com
The language learner
Tuss og Troll, published by Astri my Astri. Norwegian folk tales from the collection Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe, as well as others, presented in Norwegian and English. $29.95, or 39.95 for both volumes. www.astrimyastri.com
Language classes. If you live in an area with a Norwegian community, odds are you can find a place to take in-person classes. Here are just a few:
• Seattle: Scandinavian Language Institute sells gift certificates redeemable in winter or spring. $95-110. www.sliseattle.com
• San Francisco: The Scandinavian School offers four terms per year. $280 plus materials and a one-time registration fee for new students. www.scandinavianschool.org
• Pasadena: Pasadena Language Center offers Norwegian lessons for all levels. $245 plus a $35 registration fee. www.pasadenalanguage.com
• Minneapolis: Mindekirken offers a Norwegian Language and Culture Program. $165. www.mnlcp.org
• Bemidji, Minn.: Concordia offers an immersion weekend at Skogfjorden, the language camp. $445. www.concordialanguagevillages.org
• Chicago: You don’t have to be enrolled in North Park University to take their conversational classes. $200. www.northpark.edu
• New York: New York University teaches classes at Scandinavia House. $550. www.scandinaviahouse.org
• New York: Norwegian Language Institute offers courses at the Norwegian Seamen’s Church. $450. e-mail: norwegianNYC@live.com
• Anywhere: Many Sons of Norway lodges offer language classes. Check your local lodge to find out.
The foodie (or drinkie)
A Taste of Scandinavia, by Lars Roalkvam & Trond Espen Hansen. This cookbook showcases traditional recipes of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Profits go to Stiftelsen Sykehusbarn, a foundation for hospitalized children in Norway. $19.95. squareup.com/market/anderslandmarketing
Viking Ship 6 Pack Assortment from Old Ballard Liquor Co. 100 ml bottles each of Caraway, Citron, Dill, Licorice, Holiday Spice, and Cask Strength akevitts. Small enough to sample, big enough to share! Shipping available in Washington State. $60. www.oldballardliquorco.com
The outdoorsy one
Swix Tourpack. three common ski waxes—Blue Extra, Violet Special, and Red—with a cork and scraper in a convenient zippered pouch. $31.95. www.backcountry.com
Norwegian Wood, by Lars Mytting. Mytting made headlines worldwide with his book on wood stacking, which since 2011 has sold hundreds of thousands of copies in Scandinavia. At long last, the English version is available! $24.95. Available at most Norwegian bookstores, as well as amazon.com.
The world traveler
“Home” luggage tags from Home State Apparel. Wood ID tag that sets your luggage apart. Tags are also available representing all 50 states! 2.5” x 4.25”. $5.99. www.graphicsandmore.com
Scratch Off World Map from megasave_us on ebay. The map starts as gold foil, but with each country you visit it becomes a colorful, unique record of your travels. 35” x 20.5”. $11.99. www.ebay.com
The kids
Kids’ nor-WEE-gian t-shirt. For your wee Norwegian. Need we say more? $9.50. www.ingebretsens.com
Danish Christmas Pig in Stripes by Maileg. This pig may not taste as good as marzipan, but he’ll last a lot longer. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without a pig. $38. www.fjorn.com
Wearable gifts
Nordic mittens from Steller Handcrafted Goods. Made with upcycled authentic, 100% wool Nordic sweaters and lined with polar fleece for added warmth. No two pairs are exactly alike. $64. www.stellergoods.com
“Classic blue” Tormod tie from Moods of Norway. Every well-dressed Nordic man needs a wool/silk tie. Also available in “rifle green.” $59. www.moodsofnorway.com
Decoration
Calendar garland socks by Maileg. Twelve 2-sided socks have numbers on them from 1-24 for the Christmas countdown. $99. www.fjorn.com
JUL bowl. This bowl holds up to three cups of holiday goodies. It literally spells Christmas. $25. www.ingebretsens.com
Giftable foods
We asked our contributors and staff for their favorite recommendations for nibbles that everyone loves, and here are the results in no particular order. Availability and prices on these will vary. Check your local Scandinavian shop!
Dan Sukker vanilla sugar—any Scandinavian baker will be happy to receive this important ingredient
Ekta Gødt Juniper Syrup—a small family-run business in Valdres, Norway, produces candy, syrup, and jams from juniper berries (available from Ingebretsen’s)
This article originally appeared in the Nov. 20, 2015, issue of the Norwegian American Weekly. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.
