Boligfritid.dk is a Danish magazine for homeowners. This English version is written for international residents in Denmark. Read the original in Danish.
Got a long gift list and no ideas? You are not alone. A good Christmas present is rarely about the price. It is about the person feeling that you have thought about them in particular. Here is a simple method for finding the right gift, practical advice on budgets, exchanges and delivery, and our idea guides for men, women and children of all ages.
In short
- Start with the person, not the shop: what do they do, what do they need, and what have they talked about this year?
- Set a budget per person before you begin, and stick to it.
- Ask for a byttekvittering (gift receipt). There is no statutory right to exchange goods in Denmark, so you can only exchange a gift if the shop has promised it.
- If you buy online, you generally have a 14-day fortrydelsesret (right of withdrawal).
- Find concrete ideas in our guides to Christmas gifts for men, Christmas gifts for women and Christmas gifts for kids.
How to find the best Christmas gift in 5 steps
1. Listen for hints all year
The best gift idea is often handed to you on a plate. When someone says “I really ought to replace that” or “I’ve always wanted to try that”, write it down on your phone straight away. A quick note in November is worth its weight in gold in December.
2. Think about everyday life, not just Christmas Eve
Ask yourself: what does the person use every day, and what annoys them? A worn-out coffee pot, a knife that won’t cut, cold fingers in the garden or a phone that is always running out of battery. A gift that solves a small everyday problem gets used and remembered.
3. Choose between a thing, an experience or time
Many people already have what they need. In that case, an experience is often a better choice: concert tickets, a course, a trip to the swimming pool with the grandchildren or a meal out. You can find a good restaurant nearby on Spiseliv.dk (in Danish). Home-made vouchers for “a day in the garden”, “three evenings of babysitting” or “I’ll paint your room” are free and are often the most appreciated of all.
4. Go for quality over quantity
One good thing beats three average ones. A proper pair of work gloves, a sturdy travel mug or a good blanket will last for years. Better a smaller, high-quality gift than a big parcel that ends up in a drawer.
5. Make it personal
A handwritten note, an engraved name or a photo from the past year can lift even a small gift. Wrap it nicely, and write on the card why you chose that particular gift.
Find ideas by recipient
We have gathered ideas by age and budget in three guides:
- Christmas gifts for men: from young men in their 20s to grandad at 75, with ideas for the house, garden, barbecue and hobbies.
- Christmas gifts for women: for your girlfriend, mum, mother-in-law and best friend, with ideas for the home, wellbeing and experiences.
- Christmas gifts for kids: from babies to teenagers, with advice on safe toys.
Set a budget before you start
Write every name on a list and put an amount next to each one. Add it up and see whether the total fits your finances. It is easier to say no to impulse buys when you have the numbers in front of you. In many families it also pays to agree on a fixed amount, or to draw lots for who gives to whom, so each person only buys one good gift. For comparison, last year Danes expected to spend an average of DKK 3,708 on Christmas presents, according to a YouGov survey for Nordea (in Danish).
| Budget | Typically for | Gift examples |
|---|---|---|
| Under DKK 100 | Colleagues, pakkeleg (the Danish gift-dice game), secret nisse (Christmas elf) gifts | Nice chocolate, a calendar, good socks, a plant |
| DKK 100–300 | Friends, in-laws, older children | Book, board game, travel mug, cosy socks, course voucher |
| DKK 300–700 | Parents, siblings, children | Blanket, quality kitchen utensil, large building set, experience for two |
| Over DKK 700 | Partner, spouse, your own children | Weekend break, good tools, bicycle, smartwatch |
Exchanges, withdrawal and gift cards: what you need to know
Exchanging in the shop
It surprises many people, but there is no statutory right to exchange goods in Denmark. You can only exchange a gift if it was agreed at the time of purchase, for example with a byttekvittering (gift receipt), and there is no statutory “Christmas exchange” either. Many shops still offer exchanges, and some extend the deadline over Christmas, but this is voluntary. So ask at the till how long the exchange period is, and put a gift receipt in with the present. See the rules on exchange and return rights (in Danish) at forbrug.dk.
This is far from a theoretical problem. According to Dansk Erhverv (the Danish Chamber of Commerce), 26 per cent of Danes exchanged at least one Christmas present after Christmas 2024, and clothing was the gift most often exchanged.
Right of withdrawal when buying online
If you buy online, you have a 14-day fortrydelsesret (right of withdrawal). The period runs from the day you receive the item. If it is delivered to a parcel shop or parcel locker, the period runs from the day you collect it. Once you have notified the seller that you are withdrawing, you have a further 14 days to send the item back, and you pay the return postage yourself unless otherwise agreed. So if you buy early, the period may have run out before the gift is unwrapped on Christmas Eve. Many webshops do offer extended returns over Christmas, though, so check the terms. Read more about the right of withdrawal at forbrug.dk (in Danish).
Gift cards
As a rule, a gift card expires three years after it was issued, unless a shorter deadline is stated on it. So check the date. If the shop goes bankrupt, the gift card can lose its value. You can register your claim with the bankruptcy estate, but you are not guaranteed to get anything back, and a new owner is generally not obliged to accept the previous owner’s gift cards. So it is better to use a gift card sooner rather than later. See the rules for gift cards (in Danish).
Reklamationsret (the right to complain about defects)
If the gift is broken or has a defect, consumers have a two-year reklamationsret (in Danish), a statutory right to complain about defects. If the fault appears within the first year, it is assumed to have been there from the start. So keep the receipt, or send it digitally to the recipient.
Buy early, and watch out for fake shops
- Order in good time. Delivery companies are busy in December. For example, dao (a Danish parcel carrier) needs parcels for delivery to a daoSHOP by 19 December at the latest (see dao’s deadlines, in Danish). Also check the webshop’s last delivery date before Christmas, and order at the beginning of December rather than at the last minute.
- Check the webshop. Look for a Danish address and CVR number (company registration number), read reviews, and be extra critical of adverts with very low prices. If you shop in a webshop with the e-mærket (the Danish e-commerce trust mark), you get buyer protection.
- Pay by card, so you have the option of getting your money back through your bank if the item never arrives.
- Parcels from countries outside the EU incur customs duty and fees in 2026, even when they are small. Read more in forbrug.dk’s advice for Christmas shopping 2026 (in Danish).
- Toys from webshops outside the EU do not always meet European safety requirements. Read more in our guide to Christmas gifts for kids.
Gifts for the home that make a difference
At Boligfritid we love gifts that make the home better. A smoke alarm with a 10-year battery, a fire blanket for the kitchen or a small fire extinguisher are gifts that can save lives. Read more about a fire-safe Christmas. And if you know someone who loves decorating, outdoor light strings with a timer are a hit. See our guide to beautiful and affordable Christmas lights.
If you want a cosy gift hunt, head to a Christmas market. See our guides to Christmas markets in Denmark and Christmas markets in northern Germany, where you will find handicrafts and local specialities.
Frequently asked questions
What should I give for Christmas to someone who has everything?
Give an experience or time together, such as a trip to the theatre, a meal out or a home-made voucher for help in the garden. Treats that get used up, such as good coffee, olive oil or chocolate, are also a safe choice.
How much do people spend on a Christmas present?
It varies a lot from family to family. The most important thing is to agree on a level, so nobody feels obliged to spend more than they can afford. See our budget table above for examples.
Can I exchange a Christmas present I have received?
Only if it was agreed at the time of purchase, for example with a gift receipt. There is no statutory right to exchange, but many shops offer exchanges at Christmas. If the gift was bought online, the person who bought it can use the 14-day right of withdrawal from the date of receipt.
When should I buy Christmas presents?
The sooner, the better. If you buy online, order by early December at the latest to be sure your gifts arrive in time. If you buy online very early, check whether the shop offers extended returns over Christmas.
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