Bleak, dark, moody Scandi Noir might not seem like the first place you’d look for gift themes, but hear us out. Turns out all that darkness lends itself to some really unexpected and creative gift ideas. From cozy sweaters to reindeer jewelry, celebrate the people you love this bright, festive season with these gifts inspired by your favorite Nordic Noir programming.
For fans of The Killing
Fortunately, you don’t have to succumb to your obsession of trying to solve a series of complex murder mysteries like Sarah Lund to enjoy the cozy comfort of a classic Faroe Isle sweater. Give someone you love a lovely, cuddly handknit pure Icelandic wool sweater or even better, make them one yourself.
What’s better than binge-watching The Killing? Immersing yourself in The Killing Handbook, the “hilarious guide to everything you're going to need to pretend you are Danish, bone up on everything suspicious and transform yourself into Sarah Lund herself.” Get your favorite Lundophile a copy at your local bookstore.
For fans of The Bridge
The Bridge’s Saga Noren is brilliant, devoted, and completely lacking in social skills...sound like someone you know? Get them an Epic Saga t-shirt, featuring a cartoon version of their favorite Swedish badass.
For the slightly more highbrow fan, there’s this artistic, black & white poster of the Øresund Bridge, the actual bridge from The Bridge. Quiet and powerful like Saga Noren herself, this print makes a bold statement.
For fans of The Minister
Sure, newly elected Icelandic prime minister Benedikt is kind of falling apart. His hidden bipolar condition is getting worse and his increasingly erratic behavior is no longer charmingly quirky when he’s responsible for the wellbeing of a whole country. BUT...have you seen how precious these Icelandic elves are? Plus, in Icelandic folklore, these elves help keep bad spirits away, which may come in handy during a binge session of The Minister. And for anyone who still needs some coziness after so much darkness, we recommend a soothing bath and some Volcanic Lava Blue Icelandic soap.
For fans of Arctic Circle
Everyone needs a hot beverage sometimes, especially when watching something as gritty and chilling as Arctic Circle. Might as well give them the gift of drinking in style from these handmade Finnish Küksa ancient Lapland style wooden mugs. That way, when a chill goes down their spines as they watch Finnish officer Nina Kautsalo and German virologist Thomas Lorenz grimly investigate a dying prostitute and the deadly virus found in her blood, they’ll have something to help them feel warm and cozy again.
This delicate Finnish Lapphund and Reindeer necklace will remind its recipient that while the Arctic Circle can be cold and unforgiving, it can also be charming and beautiful.
For fans of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Even gloomy, broody, anti-social Lisbeth Salander would find a little holiday joy in these heirloom-quality handwoven Swedish Advent Star ornaments. If Girl With the Dragon Tattoo shows the dark side of Sweden, these sweet Scandinavian stars show its delightful, whimsical one.
Hundreds of years before asocial hacker-turned-vigilante Lisbeth Salander started kicking butt, both on- and offline, there were Swedish Dala horses. These whimsical horse figurines, hand-carved from a single piece of wood and intricately decorated in rich traditional patterns, are a lovely piece of Swedish art to grace any Scandi Noir fan’s mantle.
For fans of Follow The Money
There’s a Scandinavian concept known as Koselig (koosh'-lee), which loosely translates to coziness. After a few episodes of Follow The Money, which explores the seedy, corrupt, possibly murderous world of economic crime at a Danish sustainable energy company, everyone could use some Koselig. That's where these delightful Scandinavian welcome stars come in. These lights are traditionally hung in a window to welcome visitors during the dark Scandinavian winters.
Sometimes, only homemade cookies from Grandma will do. And for anyone who doesn’t have a Norwegian Nana, there’s these homemade Norwegian Krumkake wafer cookies. Hand rolled and baked and shipped fresh, these delicious treats will offer your loved ones warm comfort to counteract the chilly effects of Follow The Money.
For fans of Valkyrien
Surgeon Ravn Eikanger keeps pretty busy running his underground hospital clinic in Oslo’s Valkyrie subway station, where he performs experimental medical procedures on his dying wife. So while Dr. Eikanger might not have time for almond cake and entertaining, hopefully Valkyrien viewers do. Gift them this Norwegian Rosemaling Serving Tray to help them serve up the traditional Scandinavian cake in style.
Marzipan pigs are a Norwegian holiday tradition. When you give someone a marzipan pig, you are wishing them good luck for the next year. So send your favorite Valkyrien fan some luck this season with this adorable - and edible - little marzipan pig.
Gifts for all Nordic Noir fans:
Show your favorite fan of the genre that you embrace their dark side. Let them brood in style with this Nordic Noir t-shirt. It’s black, naturally, and features a dark figure in the snowy landscape somewhere in Scandinavia.
Couples that Scandi Noir together stay together, right? After all, it helps to get through those chilling episodes with someone you can cuddle with. Have sweet dreams about solving bleak crimes together on these cute Herr & Fru pillowcases.
Desolate landscapes and dark crimes call for a really snuggly, warm blanket to cuddle up under with someone you love. This Sherpa fleece blanket features traditional Scandinavian folk art design and is sure to bring some much needed hygge to anyone’s Nordic Noir viewing.
May your programming be dark and moody and your holidays be bright and cheery!