Unique Oslo gifts

Looking for high-quality Christmas gifts or something that really say "Oslo" this year? Let's go treasure hunting in Oslo's many independent shops!

Museum stores, galleries, boutiques and niche establishments offer plenty of great ideas for Oslo gifts that are sure to delight your nearest and dearest. 

1. Museum gems

Oslo's museum shops offers one-of-a kind products for hard-to-please uncles, curious nieces and everyone in between. 

Browse Norwegian crafts at The Museum of Cultural History, Scandinavian design classics at Astrup Fearnley Museet and Henie Onstad Kunstsenter or educational toys and games at the Museum of Science and Technology.

The museum shop at the Natural History Museum has many exciting gifts for those who love nature, animals, plants, fossils and dinosaurs.

Right in the city centre, the museum shop at the Historical Museum boasts the city's best selection of historic books, Christmas ornaments with an historic flair and a great selection of board games, toys and intriguing replicas of artefacts from ancient times.

The Nobel Peace Center gift shop offers things and books that encourage efforts for a more just planet. Originality, sustainability and fair trade are common threads, and many of the products are handmade.

At the Bygdøy peninsula, the museum shops at Norwegian Maritime Museum and The Fram Museum offer design, books, clothes, toys and other great gifts for explorers and maritime enthusiasts of all ages.

We also recommend stopping by the Opera shop before you head up on the world-famous roof and admire the sunset.

2. Local design

Oslo is a place rich in Norwegian and Nordic design. Get to know the city's design scene and pick up some exclusive gifts along the way!
 
Skaperverket is a designers' collective at Grünerløkka that sells unique hand-crafted products. If you shop at Aurora Verksted, you can be sure that the items you buy have been produced with the workers' well-being in mind.

Norway Designs carries all the design classics you (almost) can't live without.

At BRUDD you'll discover a rich selection of original arts and crafts, while Pur Norsk is a must for anyone who loves modern Norwegian design.

3. Original art

Do you know anyone who might need to spruce up their walls? Give them a really flat present for Christmas!

Oslo galleries such as Galleri Norske Grafikere, Fineart and Tegneforbundet offer many great options for artful gifts in different price ranges.

4. Specialty books

Oslo's independent bookstores are great for finding something special for  your favourite geeks and bookworms.

Tronsmo (recently named one of the world's 20 best bookstores by Financial Times, by the way), Damms Antikvariat and Bislet Bok are among our favourites. Whatever interest, topic or genre you have in mind, they've got you covered. 

5. Retro gifts

It's quite alright, and excellent news for the environment, to buy gifts that have been used before! Oslo is filled with nice retro and second-hand shops, so get ready for an exciting green gift expedition.

"New" earrings for mom, a "new" T-shirt to your sister or brother, a "new" favourite coffee mug for dad – or perhaps the perfect holiday outfit for yourself? Only your imagination is the limit!