Walking round my home, I can’t assist however discover a few of the many Icelandic souvenirs that I’ve introduced again from earlier journeys. The Icelandic horse pillow cowl on my sofa, the tasty volcanic salt in my kitchen, the beautiful wool sweater hanging in my closet, and the comfy hat and gloves holding me heat within the winter. If somebody that’s as obsessive about Iceland as a lot as I’m, order one among these Icelandic presents to deliver house slightly piece of the land of fireside and ice for the vacations.
This vacation season, why not embrace just a few Icelandic Christmas traditions too?
- Advent lights – beginning 4 Sundays earlier than Christmas, Icelanders gentle the Advent lights, both a wreath or a candelabra.
- Gifts from the Yule Lads – for the 13 days earlier than Christmas, the Icelandic Yule Lads, who stay within the mountains, creep into city and go away a small reward within the footwear of kids left close to an open window. Instead of coal, the “naughty” kids get potatoes.
- Jolabokaflod – translated as “Christmas Book Flood,” this custom began throughout World War II, when Icelanders give presents of books and curl up on Christmas Eve with a e book and a few sizzling chocolate.
- Make Laufabrauð – at Christmas, Icelanders make Laufabrauð, which is a skinny deep-fried wheat bread embellished with leaflike patterns, and get collectively to chop the bread in distinctive designs. The bread is served throughout Christmas dinner or eaten as a snack.
- Drink Malt og Appelsín – Iceland’s conventional Christmas drink is a mixture of domestically produced malt beer and Appelsín (orange soda.)
- New Year’s Eve bonfires – Icelanders ring within the new yr with bonfires and so they collect along with household and pals on the “brennur”, whereas children play with sparklers and rejoice the brand new yr.
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Saltverk Gift Box
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Amazon.com
On my journey to the West Fjords, we stopped at this sea salt manufacturing facility to see the harvesting in motion. Saltverk gives many alternative flavors from basic flaky sea salt to volcanic salt, Arctic Thyme sea salt, Birch smoked salt, seaweed salt, and licorice salt. I’ve even shipped these to fellow Iceland lovers as presents.
Silica and Mineral Mask Duo
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skincare.bluelagoon.com
While the Blue Lagoon could also be a bit overpriced, its magnificence merchandise are distinctive and an effective way to deliver slightly little bit of Iceland house. The Masks are a basic reward, particularly the Silica Mud, Lava Scrub, Algae, and Mineral Masks.
skyn ICELAND Arctic Repair Cream for Face & Body
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Amazon.com
If the Blue Lagoon merchandise are out of your value vary, skyn Iceland additionally has an awesome line of skincare merchandise. This Artic Repair Cream is the proper hydration for chilly winters.
Tulipop Miss Maddy Deluxe 10″ Plush
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Amazon.com
Kids, tweens, and teenagers will all love the feeling that’s the Icelandic model of Tulipop. There are books, stuffed animals, clothes, and reward gadgets. Pick your favourite character and begin buying!
ICEWEAR Brynja Icelandic Wool Sweater
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Amazon.com
Keep the one you love heat this winter with an genuine Icelandic wool sweater, aka a lopapeysa. These hand-knitted sweaters are the basic Icelandic reward. The conventional design makes use of a semi-circle throughout the shoulders and so they are available in all colours and patterns. ICEWEAR is likely one of the extra well-liked manufacturers providing conventional lopapeysa.
Aurora cardigan wrap, Icelandic wool, Gjoska design
One of my favourite souvenirs from Iceland is the sweater that I purchased from Gjóska in Reykjavik. These inventive designs are impressed by Iceland’s pure landscapes — the Northern Lights, the lava, the moss, and the glaciers.
Winter Gear from 66° North
If you want any cold-weather gear, 66° North is the place to buy coats, jackets, hats, gloves, and fleece. Every winter I depend upon a hat and gloves that I purchased on my first journey to Iceland.
Lettlopi – Lopi Lite – 100% icelandic wool
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Amazon.com
When you journey round Icelandic and see all of the sheep, it will likely be no shock to study that Icelandic wool and woolen merchandise are a giant export. If you knit your self, you should purchase Icelandic wool at many reward retailers, however you could wish to cease into The Handknitting Association of Iceland for sweaters, wool, blankets, and knitting patterns. Of course, should you aren’t in Iceland you possibly can at all times discover it on-line too!
Reyka Vodka
You may wish to decide up some Icelandic alcohol out of your native retailer or order it as a present. Reyka vodka is well-liked with locals, together with Wild Gin, which makes use of pure botanicals, blended with pure spring water to make an unfiltered gin bursting with taste.
Einstok Arctic Pale Ale
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nammi.is
If you like beer over spirits, I’m a fan of Einstök and Gull. You may even purchase an Icelandic Christmas beer!
Viking Jewelry
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nammi.is
Iceland’s Viking heritage is robust so what higher reward than a Viking-style ring, bracelet or necklace with historic runes.
Frigg Lava Bracelet Handmade in Iceland
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www.etsy.com
While giant swaths of Iceland are lined with lava fields, you actually ought to disturb nature. If you wish to take a little bit of lava house, higher to do it with one among these particular lava bracelets.
Iceland Personalised Custom Watercolour Travel Country Map
Photo Credit:
www.etsy.com
If somebody that may’t cease raving about their journey to Iceland, get them a customized Iceland journey map with non-obligatory journey dates, a photograph collage, and visited areas related by a path within the order you visited them. This would additionally make an effective way to shock somebody with an upcoming journey!
Trip to Iceland!!
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hiddeniceland.is
Of course, the very best reward of all could be a visit to Iceland. My Iceland journey associate Hidden Iceland gives 10% off all their scheduled group excursions for my readers once they e book utilizing promo code WE3TRAVEL. They can even assist you to plan a customized journey, simply inform them that I despatched you!
Icelandic Books
Iceland has one of many highest literacy charges on the earth at 99 p.c, and extra books are printed and skim per individual than anyplace else on the earth. This lengthy historical past of literacy comes from the lengthy, darkish winter nights the place the isolation of the individuals led to a robust custom of storytelling, together with the outdated sagas of heroes and Vikings, native mythology, and tales of monsters and trolls.
In the weeks main as much as Christmas, a whole bunch of latest books are launched and Icelanders take part in what is called the Christmas Book Flood. On Christmas Eve, everybody should obtain at the least one e book to take to mattress with some candies.
Icelandic Souvenirs
If you’re on the lookout for Icelandic souvenirs which you could solely purchase in Iceland, listed below are some concepts. You will discover the very best reward retailers in Reykjavik on one of many foremost buying streets, particularly Laugavegur, Bankastræti, and Skólavörðustígur. If you run out of time, there are additionally some actually good reward shops on the Keflavik airport, together with an outpost from 66 North and Blue Lagoon.
Remember that should you store in Iceland, something above a certain quantity will qualify you to obtain your value-added tax (VAT) again. Ask for the VAT refund type and fill these out earlier than you arrive on the airport. Then BEFORE you examine in your baggage, cease on the VAT refund middle to submit your varieties. They could have to additionally see the gadgets that you simply bought, so maintain these available.
- Viking souvenirs – whether or not you go to the Viking Museum or simply have an curiosity in Viking historical past, it’s enjoyable to discover the Viking historical past of Iceland. Many reward retailers in Reykjavik or on the museum supply enjoyable swords, helmets, collectible figurines, shirts, books, and extra. Perfect for teenagers that take pleasure in fake play! My daughter is fascinated with runes and we bought her a Viking rune necklace, and you’ll find these in lots of native retailers.
- Troll souvenirs – should you learn any of the books on Icelandic people legends, you possibly can see the position trolls play in Icelandic tradition. Some are so ugly that they’re future.
- Tees – possibly Icelandic trend isn’t your factor and t-shirts are extra your fashion. There are many humorous, high quality shirts offered in Icelandic reward retailers — not like a few of the tacky retailers present in typical vacationer facilities.
- Omnom Chocolate – foodies must also decide up some native Icelandic meals from frozen fish to fermented shark or some Plysur sauce in your Icelandic sizzling canine. If you’re on the lookout for one thing slightly easier, Omnom Chocolate is likely one of the most well-known chocolate bars in Iceland, with many fascinating choices.
Traveling to Iceland?
I hope that you simply discovered some good concepts for presents or souvenirs to deliver again in your subsequent journey. If you’re planning a visit to Iceland, you’ll want to try my guides. Also, should you e book a tour with my associate Hidden Iceland utilizing promo code WE3TRAVEL you’ll obtain a ten% low cost.
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