I’m a bit of a Scrooge when it comes to physical gifts. Give me a certificate to a local restaurant or spa any day over yet more clothes or another gadget.
But there are some notable exceptions: the Oaxacan napkins and mole my mother-in-law brought from Mexico. The sheepskin rug from New Zealand. The now-ubiquitous Turkish towels that were a novelty in the US a decade ago.
I’m certain it’s only a matter of time before the LCD screen drawing book my nieces brought from Belgium catches on stateside.
But you don’t have to hop on a plane to share these finds with friends and family this holiday season. We asked correspondents and experts in London, Mexico City, Stockholm, Seoul and Sydney to curate unique gifts that locals are gifting each other. Pro-tip: all items listed here ship to the US, but some take a few weeks to arrive.
Australia
From Alyx Gorman, Lifestyle editor, Guardian Australia, reporting from Australia
Lorna Murray pleated sun hat
The holidays take place at the start of Australia’s summer, so Aussies are more likely to exchange rash guards and beach towels for Christmas than sweaters or socks. Lorna Murray’s pleated Capri sun hats are naturally dyed and handwoven from breathable grass fibers. And if you care about this sort of thing, Pamela Anderson and Dakota Johnson are both fans.
Sea to Summit Frontier collapsible kettle set with pour over
Billy tea is a quintessentially Australian beverage made by steeping loose leaf tea and eucalyptus leaves over a camp fire, then whirling the kettle round like you’re Bart Simpson picking a fight. Australian hiking brand Sea to Summit gives this tradition a high tech upgrade with its lightweight, collapsible camping kettle. Made of BPA-free, heat-resistant silicone and aluminum, it comes with a lifetime guarantee. And thanks to its wide rim, it works as a cooking pot too.
Leif Lillypilly hand wash
A certain Australian status soap may now be a fixture in fancy bathrooms worldwide, but stateside, many galleries and restaurants have switched over to less-expensive, minimally packaged Leif. The Buddha Wood scent has a heavy hit of sandalwood, and the subtle Lillypilly fragrance combines minty eucalyptus with earthy berries.
Waverley Mills Terrain throw
Despite Australian fine merino wool’s international reputation, very little of it is milled onshore now. Waverley, in Tasmania, is a notable exception. As the country’s last wool mill that does every step of production onsite, it’s developed a technique for recycling wool offcuts into its yarn, without compromising softness.
Pete Cromer Koala beanie
Artist Pete Cromer paired up with design studio Wonderscope to create playful plush toys of animals native to Australia. The koala is the obvious choice, but don’t overlook the galah, a species of cockatoo.
Lego Bluey’s Family House
Australia’s biggest cultural export since the flat white now comes in Lego form, with both toddler-friendly Duplo blocks and bigger-kid brick sets featuring the Heeler family.
Mexico
From Ana Paula Tovar, food columnist, El País, reporting from Mexico City
Gag Sponge backpack
Though tourists often home in on Mexico’s splendid, traditional artesanía, Mexico City is also a modern design mecca. Gag, founded in 2014, produces minimalist leather goods using domestic materials dyed with vegetable tannins. The Sponge backpack, which holds a 13in laptop, is one of the brand’s classics. Bonus: in a nod to sustainability, Gag offers unlimited free repairs to all its products.
Hacha Mezcalero set for four
Hacha founder Santiago Padilla brings a modern twist to his family’s 70-year-old ceramics studio in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco. The company’s handmade earthenware comes in a range of colors including the slate grey Orizaba or the vibrant teal Tulum. Not ready to commit to the whole tableware set? Try the four-piece mezcalero set and pair it with a bottle of an agave spirit from Neta, one Mexico’s most respected mezcal brands.
Casa Bosques Chocolate Domino set in Pure Dark
Casa Bosques Chocolate offers rich delights with cacao sourced in the jungles of Tabasco and other regions of Latin America. The 28-piece domino set is made with 74% dark chocolate from Chiapas. Other offerings include pink pepper, sea salt and cardamom.
South Korea
From journalist Raphael Rashid, reporting from Seoul
Magpie Tiger pin
Following the global phenomenon of Netflix’s K-pop Demon Hunters, South Korea’s National Museum has seen record crowds eager to connect with the real cultural touchstones behind the animation. The museum shop’s breakout favorite is the Magpie Tiger pin, a traditional Korean folk motif of a mischievous white tiger and a magpie, believed to ward off bad energy. For grown-ups, the Tipsy Scholar soju glass set ($27 for three) takes its cue from an 18th-century painting: when you pour in a cold drink, the scholars’ faces flush red on the glass, as if they’ve had one shot too many.
Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream
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K-beauty’s global cachet was on full display at October’s APEC summit in Gyeongju, where Korean skincare featured in delegate gift sets. One ingredient that kept popping up is PDRN, a DNA complex derived from salmon sperm that has become one of this year’s buzziest “slow-ageing” treatments. Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream absorbs quickly and is said to deliver that coveted “glass skin” glow.
Catch! Teenieping children’s flatware set
One of South Korea’s major kids’ franchises today is Catch! Teenieping, an animated series about magical creatures who scatter into the human world and Romi, the princess tasked with catching them. H Mart, the popular Korean-American supermarket chain, sells a delightful, portable flatware set that includes a pink Romi-themed pair of beginner chopsticks – a gentle way to introduce children to a common part of Korean dining culture.
Sweden
From journalist Jonna Dagliden Hunt, reporting from Stockholm
Manu Matters Teen Jane Mix lamp
Good lighting is everything this time of year in Sweden, where the north gets as little as four hours of daylight. In recent years, sustainable and design-forward lamps have entered the scene. Manu Matters makes made-to-order lighting using 3D technology that turns waste – recycled plastic bottles, lemon peel and cornstarch – into vibrant light sources.
Mini Rodini Mammoths hooded puffer jacket
In Sweden, a country known for its generous parental leave and deeply rooted culture of children’s rights, design for kids has long been more than fashion–it’s a reflection of social values. Clothing is expected to be durable, unisex, comfortable and ethically produced. A new generation of children’s brands, including Mini Rodini, reflects that ethos, producing clothing from organic cotton and recycled polyester and releasing a yearly line of upcycled goods. Pair the Mammoths jacket with these Doggies leggings.
Fine Little Day Birch Wool Blanket
Swedish handicraft, or hemslöjd, has deep roots in the country’s rural traditions. Designer and photographer Elisabeth Dunker has created her own distinctive world of craft, offering everything from posters and wall art to home textiles and ceramics. Cozy up with the Birch Wool Blanket and light some candles in these clay candleholders ($60) by ceramicist Kristine Thenman.
Midnatt SIesta bedset
Swedes brave the dark and cold winter months by embracing hygge, a Danish term for a cozy, warm atmosphere with family and friends. Few brands embody that experience better than Midnatt, a home textile company launched in 2017 whose vibrant designs have transformed how Swedes style their homes. In addition to extra soft 100% cotton bedsheets, these Christmas napkins are a nice addition to any home’s holiday decor.
United Kingdom
From Hannah Booth, editor, the Filter UK, reporting from London
House of Hackney Love is Enough cushion
The bold, nature-inspired prints of House of Hackney – think William Morris reworked for the 21st century – are beloved in the UK. And as the country gears up for Wuthering Heights fever, ahead of the film’s launch early next year, Brits are swooning over all things Victorian and romantic once again.
Yinka Ilori’s Aami Aami plate
Nigerian-British designer Yinki Ilori’s uplifting, cheerful prints have found legions of fans among Brits seeking a dopamine hit. His work has been selected to appear in the Victoria & Albert Museum’s new outpost, which opens in east London next spring.
Kiltane’s Knitted Cashmere Neck Tie
Everyone in Britain is wearing small, knitted neck scarves this winter, and this cashmere design by luxury Scottish knitwear label Kiltane is as indulgent as it comes. The company partners with a family-run mill on the Scottish borders – an area renowned for producing fine knitwear – and taps into Britain’s love of its heritage (see also: Burberry trench coats and Hunter wellies) with a contemporary twist.
Fortnum & Mason Piccadilly Stem Ginger biscuits
Fortnum & Mason, the storied London food hall that goes back to 1707, is known for its mouth-watering gift sets, which this year contain everything from vintage champagne to smoked salmon. But at £1,000 (about $1,300), they’re out of most people’s reach. Instead, make your own basket with a tin of biscuits in Fortnum’s elegant packaging and Christmas tea from the classic British tea company, Whittard’s, founded a mere 140 years ago.
Puffin 85th Anniversary Clothbound Collection books
This year marks the 85th anniversary of the beloved British children’s publisher Puffin. To celebrate, it has issued eight clothbound versions of popular children’s books – from Charlotte’s Web to Matilda – each with an introduction from a contemporary Puffin author.
