Walking round my home, I can’t assist however discover a number 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 comfortable hat and gloves preserving me heat within the winter. If you realize somebody that’s as obsessive about Iceland as a lot as I’m, order one among these Icelandic items to carry residence a bit piece of the land of fireplace 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 dwell within the mountains, creep into city and depart a small present within the sneakers of youngsters left close to an open window. Instead of coal, the “naughty” youngsters get potatoes.
- Jolabokaflod – translated as “Christmas Book Flood,” this custom began throughout World War II, when Icelanders give items of books and curl up on Christmas Eve with a ebook and a few scorching chocolate.
- Make Laufabrauð – at Christmas, Icelanders make Laufabrauð, which is a skinny deep-fried wheat bread adorned 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 mates on the “brennur”, whereas youngsters play with sparklers and have a good time 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 unit to see the harvesting in motion. Saltverk affords many various flavors from traditional 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 items.
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 a good way to carry a bit little bit of Iceland residence. The Masks are a traditional present, 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 worth vary, skyn Iceland additionally has an ideal line of skincare merchandise. This Artic Repair Cream is the right 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 present gadgets. Pick your favourite character and begin buying!
ICEWEAR Brynja Icelandic Wool Sweater
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Amazon.com
Keep your beloved heat this winter with an genuine Icelandic wool sweater, aka a lopapeysa. These hand-knitted sweaters are the traditional Icelandic present. 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 creative 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 rely on 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, will probably be no shock to be taught that Icelandic wool and woolen merchandise are a giant export. If you knit your self, you should purchase Icelandic wool at many present outlets, however you could need to cease into The Handknitting Association of Iceland for sweaters, wool, blankets, and knitting patterns. Of course, in the event you aren’t in Iceland you’ll be able to at all times discover it on-line too!
Reyka Vodka
You may additionally need 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 powerful so what higher present than a Viking-style ring, bracelet or necklace with historical runes.
Frigg Lava Bracelet Handmade in Iceland
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www.etsy.com
While giant swaths of Iceland are coated with lava fields, you actually ought to disturb nature. If you need to take a little bit of lava residence, higher to do it with one among these particular lava bracelets.
Iceland Personalised Custom Watercolour Travel Country Map
Photo Credit:
www.etsy.com
If you realize somebody that may’t cease raving about their journey to Iceland, get them a customized Iceland journey map with optionally available journey dates, a photograph collage, and visited places linked by a path within the order you visited them. This would additionally make a good way to shock somebody with an upcoming journey!
Trip to Iceland!!
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hiddeniceland.is
Of course, the very best present of all could be a visit to Iceland. My Iceland journey associate Hidden Iceland affords 10% off all their scheduled group excursions for my readers after they ebook utilizing promo code WE3TRAVEL. They may make it easier 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 powerful 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 recent books are launched and Icelanders take part in what is called the Christmas Book Flood. On Christmas Eve, everybody should obtain no less than one ebook to take to mattress with some candies.
Icelandic Souvenirs
If you’re in search of Icelandic souvenirs that you could solely purchase in Iceland, listed below are some concepts. You will discover the very best present outlets in Reykjavik on one of many major buying streets, particularly Laugavegur, Bankastræti, and Skólavörðustígur. If you run out of time, there are additionally some actually good present shops on the Keflavik airport, together with an outpost from 66 North and Blue Lagoon.
Remember that in the event 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 kind and fill these out earlier than you arrive on the airport. Then BEFORE you test in your baggage, cease on the VAT refund heart to submit your varieties. They might must additionally see the gadgets that you simply bought, so hold 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 present outlets in Reykjavik or on the museum provide 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 obtained her a Viking rune necklace, and yow will discover these in lots of native outlets.
- Troll souvenirs – in the event you learn any of the books on Icelandic folks legends, you’ll be able to see the position trolls play in Icelandic tradition. Some are so ugly that they’re future.
- Tees – perhaps Icelandic style isn’t your factor and t-shirts are extra your model. There are many humorous, high quality shirts bought in Icelandic present outlets — not like a number of the tacky outlets present in typical vacationer facilities.
- Omnom Chocolate – foodies also needs to decide up some native Icelandic meals from frozen fish to fermented shark or some Plysur sauce in your Icelandic scorching canine. If you’re in search of one thing a bit less complicated, 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 items or souvenirs to carry again in your subsequent journey. If you’re planning a visit to Iceland, remember to try my guides. Also, in the event you ebook a tour with my associate Hidden Iceland utilizing promo code WE3TRAVEL you’ll obtain a ten% low cost.
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