9 Gifts for Travelers Who Love Scandinavian Design
Scandinavia has endless appeal for design-loving travelers. Just look to the crisp lines and the integration with nature that are represented in the region’s architecture, like at Sweden’s Treehotel. There's a thoughtful approach to interior design, too, with an emphasis on comfortable living, as embodied by the all-too-familiar Danish concept of hygge. In museums from Stockholm to Copenhagen, modern artists play with stark palettes accented by bright pops of color. Who wouldn’t want to bring these styles home?
Below, we round up the best gifts for that friend, family member, or partner who can’t get enough of Scandinavian design. And trust us—you won’t have to spring for a vintage Hans Wegner wishbone chair or Josef Frank lamp to get the look.
All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Sowden water bottle
Great style means a keen eye on even the most mundane of items. Thanks to this George Sowden water bottle, you can make sure even hydration is a design-first activity for the recipient. Made of stainless steel with a plastic screw top, this reusable bottle holds hot or cold drinks, in a variety of color-blocked pastels. It comes in both a 12-ounce size and a larger 17-ounce version.
Raawii Strøm jug
Inspired by Danish modernist still life paintings by Vilhelm Lundstrøm, this handcrafted ceramic jug brings to life the artist’s vibrant color palette, in a piece that adds a bright punch of color to any minimalist room. This jug, which is made in Portugal, can be used decoratively as a flower vase, or functionally as a serving pitcher.
Marimekko Pieni Unikko tote
Finnish design house Marimekko is known for its large-scale patterns—namely, their unikko (poppy) which was the basis of the brand’s first ever floral print. This heavyweight cotton and linen-blend tote features that charming pattern, for a look that’ll pop against any outfit. Lightweight and foldable, the bag is easy to pack for beach trips, city escapes, or even for use as a reusable shopping bag at home.
HAY PLAY backgammon set
Games are a must-have during the holidays, giving friends and family a reason to gather around the table for something other than a meal. Danish design shop HAY teamed up with Stockholm-born graphic artist Clara von Zweigbergk to create a backgammon set that is fit for a design-forward space. In retro shades of white, blue, and red, this game is gorgeous enough to leave out, yet easy to pack into the slim box for taking to visit family.
HAY Perla phone holder
No matter how many fanny packs, crossbodys, or backpacks you have at home, many travelers know: your phone needs to be more accessible than anything else on a busy day of exploring. This beaded phone bag, designed by Serbian-born designer Ana Kraš for HAY, is both a statement and a staple. It fits most smartphones, including iPhone Pros (though cases might need to be removed for the easiest slide in and out), with space for a few cards and cash.
Pidät Bird Silo feeder
We all have that one friend who got into birdwatching during the pandemic—but even those without the Audubon Bird Guide app on their phone can certainly appreciate spotting a few chickadees outside their kitchen window. Sleek as can be, this feeder designed by Finland-based Studio Tolvanen looks more like a sculpture than a seed-holder. But don't worry: the artists personally tested it during the design process to ensure birds would still flock to it. It comes in terracotta, green, and slate, and is made entirely of recycled materials.
Aalto book
Finnish designer Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) was a Scandinavian icon behind famous public buildings including the Helsinki House of Culture. This 96-page book by Finnish-born arts and architecture expert Louna Lathi, who also held multiple roles at the Alvar Aalto Society, is a digestible overview of the designer’s work, with color and black and white photos and drawings throughout. It’ll look great on a coffee table, but there’s real intel inside on Aalto’s buildings around the world, too—perfect for inspiring future trips.
Langø cotton towel
Any sauna lover—or snowbird—will appreciate the gift of a soft, oversized cotton towel, like this one from Danish textile brand Langø. The company is centered on the idea of pairing “sparse Scandinavian aesthetics” with textile techniques from around the world—no exception here, as this two-tone yellow towel is inspired by Turkish Peshtemal bath towels, and made in Turkey with local cotton.
Hetkinen salt soap set
From Turku, Finland-based (and female-founded) Hetkinen comes this modular soap and holder, made of elevated natural ingredients that add a Nordic spa flavor to any bathroom. The soup ball is made of pure, vegan ingredients: sea salt, coconut butter, olive oil, and sunflower oil, with essential peppermint and pine oils for a fresh scent. The soap plate is carved from Finnish pine heartwood, with a smartly added hole in the center for draining.
