‘Christmas presents from or inspired by Amsterdam’ blog post was first published on Culture Tourist in December 2018 and updated on 6 December 2024.
With the holidays just around the corner, it might be the last moment to look for Christmas presents. I’ve done some research again this year and created a gift guide with presents from or inspired by Amsterdam. I’ve combined local products, brands, and some unique experiences that would make a lovely Christmas gift for your loved ones. So look no further because here is an article filled with Amsterdam Christmas presents inspiration.
Amsterdam Christmas Presents
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The Netherlands is famous for its art and design, and Amsterdam inspired many of these. The Dutch capital is especially magical during the winter months, so some of the experiences in the city itself could make a great Christmas gift. I’ve looked for some of the best events and local products you can give as a Christmas present from or inspired by Amsterdam and prepared this special Amsterdam Christmas gifts guide for you.
⤷ Read more: 10 Things to Do During the Christmas Season in Amsterdam
Local product: Culture Tourist Colouring Postcards
Here is a lovely Christmas present inspired by Amsterdam for you! And I’m recommending it and am genuinely believing in it because I made it! Culture Tourist Colouring Postcards are designed and produced in the Netherlands, so you’re buying a truly local product. Many of them are also inspired by Amsterdam, especially my Christmas Cards, Dutch Symbols set and Rembrandt in Amsterdam set.
Where to buy it? Check out all the designs and colouring postcards available at the Culture Tourist Webshop
Local product: Photo Book Amsterdam Through the Seasons
Dana Marin is a writer and photographer based in the Netherlands who created a beautiful photobook Amsterdam Through the Seasons. It is a great Christmas present for anyone in love with photography and Amsterdam. Dana is also organising photoshoots in the Netherlands. So, after enjoying her book, you can hire her to take some lovely photos of you at the locations you saw in her book.
I did a photo shoot with Dana a few times already. You can read about my experience of doing a photo shoot in Amsterdam here.
Where to buy it? You can get the book online on this link: Amsterdam through the seasons
⤷ TIP: For more info about Dana’s photoshoots in Amsterdam check out her website.
Local experience: Amsterdam Light Festival
Light Festival is one of my favourite annual events in Amsterdam. Artists from all around the world create light installations and display them along the festival’s route. The thirteenth edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival has the theme “Rituals”. The best way to see the light installations located on Amsterdam canals is by taking one of the special canal cruises. Installations will be around between 28 November 2024 and 19 January 2025, so you still have enough time to see them.
Where to buy it? Click on this link to find online tickets for various boats providing special canal cruises around the Amsterdam Light Festival 2024. You can choose from the smaller ones to larger boats, depending on what works best for you.
⤷ Read more: Christmas Markets in the Netherlands with 2024 Agenda
Local brand: Christmas edition of Tony’s Chocolonely
There can’t be too many sweets for Christmas. That’s why a local chocolate and sweets brand makes a lovely Christmas present from Amsterdam. My absolute favourite this year is Tony’s Chocolonely chocolate with mulled wine. Could there be something more Christmasy?
Founded in 2005, they are one of the biggest chocolate producers in the Netherlands. Besides producing their chocolate without slave or child labour, they often partner with Dutch companies, like the Rijksmuseum, to create a unique packaging design, making a lovely present for your friends and family from the Netherlands.
Where to buy it? Take a look at their web shop for more Christmas-themed chocolates.
⤷ Read more: Christmas Traditions in Europe
Local product: The ABCs of Amsterdam Book
Paola Bucciol’s book The ABCs of Amsterdam has a subtitle, A First Guide to the Capital of the Netherlands, and it’s aimed at its youngest visitors. After exploring the city with her sons, she discovered it through children’s eyes. And decided to create a guide to Amsterdam for the youngest visitors or its new English-speaking residents.
Each page represents a different letter and a symbol, an important person or something specific for Amsterdam or the Dutch culture. It covers all the major Amsterdam topics such as the canals, bikes or houseboats. The book also introduces notable Amsterdammers or Dutch people such as Anne Frank, Vincent van Gogh and Rembrandt van Rijn. And it includes some parts of the local culture tourists often don’t have a chance to immerse into.
Where to buy it? You can order your book on this link.
⤷ Read more: Culture Tourist’s The ABCs of Amsterdam Book Review
Local brand: CLUSE Watch
CLUSE is a Dutch brand with a headquarters in Amsterdam. They are designing beautiful watches with a minimalistic design. I like their idea that you can easily change bracelets and get more watch designs this way. Perfect for travellers, right? Their new collection is beautiful, making it a wonderful Christmas present from Amsterdam.
Where to buy it? Check out all the designs on their website.
⤷ Read more: A Day in Paris With CLUSE
Local product: Peanut butter from De Pindakaaswinkel
The Netherlands is home to one of the best peanut butter producers in the world. It’s a small company with a very cool vibe and a place where I’m leaving a small fortune each month. Their peanut butter comes in many different flavours. It’s packed in cute jars, making them easily transportable.
De Pindakaaswinkel creates seasonal flavours, too. They have a special flavour for the Sinterklaas celebration (Saint Nicholas Day, celebrated on the evening of 5 December and 6 December). So, we’ll have to see what they’ll come up with when it comes to Christmas flavours.
Where to buy it? Check out the shop locations and their web shop on this link.
⤷ Read more: The Most Beautiful Christmas Themed Artworks
Local products: A gift from Amsterdam museums’ shops
Amsterdam is home to some fantastic museum shops! My favourite is the one at the Rijksmuseum, where you can choose from numerous gifts inspired by art from that terrific museum. The whole section is dedicated to books about Dutch art, history and Amsterdam. I also noticed some beautiful Christmas tree decorations during the last couple of weeks at the Van Gogh Museum gift shop.
Another excellent museum where you can find a lovely Christmas presents from Amsterdam is the Stedelijk Museum. It’s a great place to look for design products and books about modern and contemporary art. A great thing is, you don’t need to have an entrance ticket to access the museum shop.
Where to buy it? Rijksmuseum (address: Museumstraat 1, Amsterdam), Van Gogh Museum (address: Museumplein 6, Amsterdam), Stedelijk Museum (address: Museumplein 10, Amsterdam). Click on the names of the museums to get to their webshops.
⤷ Read more: Best Museums in Amsterdam & Tips for Visiting Them
Local product: Droog design products
Droog is your place to go when looking for some great Dutch design products. They have a store in Amsterdam and a large selection of products in their web shop. It’s a place to shop for Christmas presents if you’re looking for something more high-end or for your loved ones who are into design.
Where to buy it? Take a look for a great selection of the Droog products in their webshop.
⤷ Read more: What to See in Amsterdam Area – Art & Architecture
Local product: Analogie’s collection inspired by Amsterdam
Nahla from Analogie is one of my favourite jewellery designers based in Amsterdam. She’s creating unique jewellery inspired by different themes. One of her collections was inspired by Amsterdam, and I just loved rings and bracelets with motives of gables from the canal houses.
Where to buy it? Take a look at her Facebook page on this link, for the whole collection.
⤷ Read more: Winter in Art – 20 Most Beautiful Christmas Themed Paintings
Local Experience: Special Winter Amsterdam Tours
If you are travelling to Amsterdam during the Christmas season, a great idea is to join one of the special Winter tours. Even if you’re a local, gifting a special city tour, spending some time learning about your city and getting into the Christmas mood that way, could be a great idea for a Christmas present inspired by Amsterdam.
Where to buy it? Check out some unique Winter tours around the city centre on this link.
⤷ Read more: The Best Souvenirs From Amsterdam
I hope some of these ideas would make great Christmas gifts from or inspired by Amsterdam for your friends and family. What are your favourite Christmas gift ideas? Do you have any to add? Share them with me in the comments below!