22 Scandinavian Christmas gift ideas – for people who love interior design!

1. A cosy throw

Few Christmas gifts get used as much as a good throw. Draped over the sofa or folded at the foot of the bed, it adds warmth, texture and colour in one go. Wool is the classic choice for cold winter evenings, while cotton and mohair are lighter and work all year round. Choose a calm, earthy tone that suits most homes, or a stripe or graphic pattern for someone with a bolder style. A throw is also one of the most popular Christmas gift ideas for women and men alike.

3. Cookware for cosy dinners

For the home chef who loves a beautiful table, the best cookware is the kind you're proud to serve from. Enamelled cast iron and stoneware look just as good on the dinner table as on the stove, and keep food warm while everyone helps themselves. A fondue pot is the ultimate way to gather friends and family around the table on a dark winter evening, while a cast iron pot or bread tin gets used all year round. A warming Christmas gift idea for couples who love to entertain, or the person in your life who loves to cook.

4. Colourful cushion covers

New cushion covers are the quickest way to refresh a room. Linen has a relaxed, natural texture that gets softer with use, and works in both minimalist and more eclectic interiors, whereas embroidered or velvet cushion covers add texture and interest. Give two or three in matching or contrasting colours so they can be mixed and swapped with the seasons.

Related reading: 

• Feng Shui for the bedroom

6. A table lamp

In the darkest weeks of the year, a new lamp changes the mood of a room every evening. Cordless, rechargeable lamps have become a favourite because they can move from the dinner table to the bookshelf without a socket, while a classic table lamp with glass and wood gives warm, diffused light for years.

Related reading: 

• How to decorate your home with a rechargeable lamp
• Scandinavian design lamps - We’ll help you find your favourite

7. Kitchen tools for homemade favourites

Some cooks love making everything from scratch: fresh tortillas for taco night, smash burgers on a Friday, Swedish pancakes on a Sunday morning or a crusty loaf of homemade bread. Give them the tools that make it easy. Solid cast iron lasts a lifetime, looks great hanging in an open kitchen and gets better the more it's used. A fun and practical Christmas gift idea for men and women who love to cook, or for friends who host the best dinners.

8. Candleholders and lanterns

Candlelight is at the heart of a Scandinavian winter. A beautiful candleholder looks good on the table even when the candle isn't lit, and designer favourites such as the Stoff Nagel or the Kähler Urbania make perfect collector items, something you can add to year after year. Add a pack of tall candles or tealights and the gift is ready for Christmas Eve. One of our favourite Christmas gift ideas for friends, and a perfect gift for a host in December. 

Related reading: 

• How to arrange the STOFF candle holder
• Create a cosy hygge living room

9. A vase

A vase is one of the safest gifts for interior design lovers. Clear glass works with any colour scheme and looks beautiful with or without flowers, while a playful, sculptural shape suits someone with a bolder style. A simple vase with a bunch of flowers is also a classic Christmas gift idea for mum.

Related reading: 

• How to arrange flowers at home – a florist’s guide to vases and long-lasting bouquets
• The art of Ikebana flower arranging

10. Salt and pepper mills

In many homes the kitchen is part of the living space, so the things on the counter and the dining table are part of the interior too. A pair of beautiful salt and pepper mills, or a marble mortar, is a small gift that gets used at every meal and looks good on display. Natural materials like wood and stone suit almost any kitchen. An easy Christmas gift idea for him or her, the lover of great interior design and delicious home cooked meals.

Related reading: 

• Renew your kitchen with 11 practical & stylish kitchen accessories

11. A plant pot

For the plant lover, a new pot is a Christmas gift idea that brings greenery to the centre of the room. Choose a pot with an interesting glaze or shape, so it works as a decorative object in its own right. Add a cutting or a small plant for an extra personal touch.

Related reading: 

• Outdoor plant pots
• Indoor plant pots for your home

12. A decorative bowl

A decorative bowl is both beautiful and useful: a home for keys by the front door, jewellery on the dresser or Christmas sweets on the coffee table, the ideal Christmas gift idea for those who love interior design. Look for organic shapes and interesting surfaces or even a pop of colour that will really stand out on a shelf.

13. A mirror

A mirror is an interior designer's favourite trick: it reflects light, makes a room feel bigger and works as a piece of art on the wall. A round mirror suits almost any space, from the hallway to above a sideboard, and makes for a Christmas gift idea for interior design loves that will get noticed every day.

14. Picture frames

For someone who loves styling their walls, a quality frame is the start of a new gallery wall. Natural oak works with any print or photo. Frame a favourite photo or a print you know they'll love for a personal Christmas gift idea for her or him.

Related reading: 

• Wall decor ideas

15. Hallway storage

The hallway is the first thing you see when you come home, yet it's often forgotten. A hat rack, a hook rail or a bench with shoe storage brings order and style to the entrance. A smart Christmas gift idea for men and women who like everything in its place, from a well-designed shoehorn to a complete hallway update.

Related reading:

• How to decorate a small hallway
• Organise your home – tips to help you declutter

16. A side table or stool

A small side table or stool is one of the most versatile pieces of furniture: a place for a coffee cup by the sofa, a bedside table or an extra seat when guests arrive. In solid oak, it's a Christmas gift idea that will last for decades.

17. A Nordic Christmas tradition

Some gifts come with a story. Classic Nordic Christmas decorations are brought out year after year and often handed down through the family, which makes them a gift with real meaning – and a perfect Christmas gift idea for mum and dad or indeed anyone who loves Scandinavian design.

Related reading: 

• Swedish Christmas traditions
• How to decorate with traditional Scandinavian Christmas decorations
• Tips to help you throw a traditional Swedish “Glöggmingle”

19. Tableware to collect

For the one who loves to host, a well-set table is part of the interior. Choose a collection and give a few pieces to start, then it's easy to add more for birthdays and next Christmas. Speckled and stoneware finishes give the table a warm, handmade feel or go for a pop of colour and a linen tablecloth or napkins complete the look. This is a Christmas gift idea for interior design lovers that keeps on giving. 

Related reading: 

• Scandinavian Christmas table setting ideas
• Place settings to inspire your Christmas table setting
• 6 napkin folding ideas

20. Festive glassware

Christmas and New Year are the seasons for raising a glass. Champagne coupes bring a touch of glamour to the table, a bucket keeps the bubbles cold, and a set of everyday glasses gets used long after the holidays. A festive Christmas gift idea for couples, or for a wife, girlfriend or boyfriend who loves to entertain.

Related reading: 

• Glass Guide - Wine glasses
• Glass Guide - Beer glasses
• Glass Guide - Cocktail glasses

21. A design classic

For the really big gift, or for the interior design lover who already has everything, choose a piece of Scandinavian design history. The classics stay in production for decades because they still look right today, and they tend to be passed down rather than replaced. Iconic chairs and lamps make for a Christmas gift with a real story behind it.