It’s that time of year again when we all welcome gift ideas for friends and family in our lives. Do you have some Scandinavian enthusiasts on your gift list? Here are some gift ideas that might be of interest. If books are on your gift list, read on to find out how to save on physical books at Amazon.
Recently Released Scandinavian Cookbooks
This year has seen the release of some notable Scandinavian cookbooks. Buy now and save $5 when you spend $20+ in physical books sold and shipped by Amazon by using code GIFTBOOK18 (expires Friday, December 21, 11:59 p.m. PT).
- North Wild Kitchen: Home Cooking from the Heart of Norway by Nevada Berg (November 2018)
Nevada Berg is an American transplant to Norway. She lives on a mountain farm with her Norwegian husband and son. She has a beautiful blog, North Wild Kitchen, that I follow and now the recently released cookbook North Wild Kitchen: Home Cooking from the Heart of Norway, which has been selected as one of the New York Times Best Cookbooks of Fall 2018.
- The Nordic Baking Book by Magnus Nilsson (October 2018)
Magnus Nilsson is a Swedish chef who is head chef at the famed restaurant Fäviken in Sweden. His 2015 documentary cookbook, The Nordic Cookbook, was very well received, and his newest cookbook, The Nordic Baking Book, is not to be missed. It contains 450 recipes for home bakers chosen from across the Nordic region — Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, and Greenland. Watch Magnus Nilsson introduce The Nordic Baking Book.
- The Noma Guide to Fermentation by René Redzepi and David Zilber (October 2018)
Rene Redzepi is a Danish chef and co-owner of the world renowned restaurant Noma in Copenhagen. David Zilber is the chef who runs the restaurant’s acclaimed fermentation lab. At Noma, named the world’s best restaurant four times, every dish includes some form of fermentation. Fermentation is one of the foundations behind Noma’s extraordinary flavor profiles. This cookbook has also been named one of the New York Times Best Cookbooks of Fall 2018.
- ScandiKitchen Christmas by Brontë Aurell (October 2018)
Anyone who has ever been in Scandinavia in December will know that Scandinavians really love Christmas. From huddling up in candlelit snowed-in cottages to consuming gløgg at every opportunity, Christmas is peak-hygge season all over Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Bronte Aurell of The ScandiKitchen Café in London shows how to celebrate Christmas Scandi-style by sharing her delicious recipes and family traditions.
Books & Reading
Books are always a wonderful gift. Are you looking for gifts for young kids, tweens, and teens? For books relating to Norwegian culture and history, take a look at my Book List: Norwegian History and Culture. Or see Book List: Christmas in Scandinavia for seasonal books the whole family will enjoy. But otherwise here are some suggestions for the adult readers in your life.
Limited time offer: Buy now and save $5 when you spend $20+ in physical books sold and shipped by Amazon by using code GIFTBOOK18 (expires Friday, December 21, 11:59 p.m. PT).
- The History of Bees: A Novel by Maja Lunde, translated from the Norwegian by Diane Oatley (a book I’ve read and really enjoyed and on Longlist for International Dublin Award 2019)
- Love by Hanne Ørstavik, translated from the Norwegian by Martin Aitken (2018 National Book Award Finalist, Translated Literature, another book I’ve read and really enjoyed)
- Macbeth by Jo Nesbø, translated from the Norwegian by Don Bartlett (New York Times Notable Book of 2018)
- Mirror, Shoulder, Signal: A Novel by Dorthe Nors, translated from the Danish by Misha Hoekstra (New York Times Notable Book of 2018 as well as on Longlist for International Dublin Award 2019)
- One of Us: The Story of a Massacre in Norway — And Its Aftermath by Åsne Seierstad, translated from the Norwegian by Sarah Death (This is the book upon which the recently released Netflix movie 22 July is based.)
- The Sunlit Night by Rebecca Dinerstein (Read it before it comes out as a movie!)
Household Items
- Five-of-Hearts Waffle Maker (A must-have in every Norwegian household!)
- Ekelund “Vintermat” (Winter Food) Towel (Master Swedish Weavers since 1692)
- Holiday Cellulose Dishcloths (A festive gift to any kitchen!)
- “Nordlys” (Northern Lights) Candle or other scented candle by Skandinavisk (Sure to add some hygge and kos to any household!)
Personal Gifts
- Fjällräven Kanken Backpack (Fjällräven is a Swedish company established in 1960 that specializes in outdoor equipment and clothing. There are many varieties and colors of backpacks to choose from: Classic or Laptop or Mini plus more.)
- Kari Traa Kristina Hoodie (Kari Traa is a Norwegian company established in 2002 that specializes in sportswear for girls by girls. Read their story here.)
- Hygge Koselig Sidekick Socks (men’s and women’s sizes)
- Yggdrasil Amulet from Grimfrost (Yggdrasil is an immense ash tree with branches that extend far into the heavens. It is central and very holy in Viking mythology.)
Family Entertainment
- Vikings: Season 1 (Now about to begin its 5th season, this HISTORY original series transports viewers to the brutal and mysterious world of Ragnar Lothbrok, a Viking warrior and farmer who yearns to explore–and raid–the distant shores across the ocean.)
- Kubb Yard Game (This is an outdoor team game involving strategy and skill, perfect for all ages.)
- Beginner’s Norwegian Word Searches – Volume 1 (Both Norwegian and English words are hidden in the puzzles.)
- Ravensburger 1000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Norwegian Fjord
- Larsen Norway Puzzle with Animals
Music
This collection of solo piano music was inspired by the Scottish musician’s journey along Norway’s ancient pilgrimage route from Oslo to Trondheim. You can read more about the musician and his journey at The Norwegian American and sample his music.
Aurora is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter from Bergen, Norway. Her music is unique pop — emotional and dreamy. In the new year, she will perform in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, Toronto, Boston, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and Washington DC.
Norwegian Pride
- American Grown with Norwegian Roots T-Shirt (for men, women, and youth)
- Dale of Norway Hat (many varieties and colors)
- Subscription to The Norwegian American newspaper (The only Norwegian-American newspaper in existence, it’s been the “the voice of Norway in America” for 125 years.)
I hope you’ve found some gift ideas here. I’d love to hear if any of these make it to your friends and family. I wish you a wonderful holiday season!
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