Top 10 Gift Ideas To Give the Viking in Your Life

As renowned adventurers, it's safe to assume that the Vikings had a fondness for loot. Who doesn’t? Just like the old Norsefolk, your modern Viking friend likely wouldn’t mind a gift of treasure every once in a while.

If you're searching for the best gift for a friend or family member who's passionate about all things Viking, we've compiled a list of top ten gift ideas to give to the Viking in your life. These high quality, Norse inspired gifts are sure to please even the pickiest Viking!

A Drinking Horn

Let's face it. Modern drinking utensils are boring. Why drink from a cheap plastic cup when you can drink out of a massive horn instead? Drinking horns are, as the name implies, horns that you drink from. Traditionally made from cattle or goat horns, Vikings used these as both drinking utensils and ceremonial trinkets. They were often passed down through the generations, with each new owner adding their own decorations or carvings.

Any Viking will appreciate their very own drinking horn. They can use it to guzzle down mead, fruit juice, or whatever else their heart desires. And, like fine china, they can even turn this gift into a family heirloom.

Viking Jewelry

This surprises some people, but the Vikings loved jewelry. They wore everything from necklaces to bracelets to brooches. Partly because they liked to look good, and partly because metal jewelry was an excellent form of backup cash!

Your fashionable Viking loved ones will love an assortment of jewelry to show off their Viking pride. Mjolnir (Thor's hammer) and Yggdrasil (a sacred tree) jewelry were popular during the Viking era, so why not pick up a necklace or ring featuring these classic Norse symbols?

Norse Apparel

We all need clothes. If your giftee's closet looks a little bare, help them fill it with cool T-shirts, hoodies, and other garments printed with Norse proverbs or witty Viking puns. Or, for something more visual than wordy, clothes with unmistakably Viking symbols like Mjolnir, Yggdrasil, Fenrir, or Huginn and Muninn are sure to be a hit.

Norse Mythology Books

Any lover of Norse culture will appreciate getting a new Norse Mythology book to parse. The sagas of Icelanders, most notably the Prose Edda, provide the most thorough insight into Norse mythology. If your Viking friend already read those, you can pick up a more modern book like Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythologyor The Viking Spirit: An Introduction to Norse Mythology and Religionby Daniel McCoy. The most avid readers are also likely to appreciate fictional tales with Viking themes.

Hair and Beard Beads

If your intended giftee has a lot of hair on their head or their chin, you can help them groom it like a Viking with some hair and beard beads. The Vikings were known for their cleanliness and the pride they took in their appearances, which is why they used beads to keep their hair tidy and out of the way. While small, these beads come in various designs that look stunning up close. Choose one or mix and match.

A Viking Style Axe or Knife

Vikings carried various weapons to battle, including swords, axes, bows and arrows, lances, and spears. But we often associate them with axes, which was the weapon of choice for warriors who didn’t have the coin for a well-made sword. Whether your giftee is a craftsperson, a reenactor, or simply an appreciator of fine weaponry, a Viking-style axe is sure to make them beam.

Or, if you want something more practical than a battle axe, you can opt for a knife. The seax knife, a large and terrifying Viking weapon, is always an option, but chances are the modern Viking will get more use out of a professionally forged culinary knife.

A Vegvisir Compass

Vegsivir is a rune stave that symbolizes protection and guidance. The word 'vegvísir' translates to 'wayfinder' or 'signpost.' Experts believe that Viking’s used this stave as a compass. They turned to it for guidance during bad weather. A vegsivir necklace will ensure the wearer never loses their way. If the Viking in your life is a frequent traveler or notoriously lost, this gift will ensure they return home safe and sound without fail.

A Rune Poster

Runes are the letters of the runic alphabet, a Germanic writing system used by the Norse. This system is also known as 'futhark,' after the first six letters of the runic alphabet. There are three forms of futhark—Elder Futhark, Younger Futhark, and Anglo-Saxon Futhorc—each with slight variations. The Vikings predominantly used Younger Futhark, also known as Scandanavian Runes.

If your favorite Viking is a language buff, a rune poster can teach them the meaning behind each rune and how to write them. Plus, a rune poster will look incredible in their home, especially if proudly framed.

A Viking Blanket

The next top gift idea to give to the Viking in your life is a blanket. Even the meatiest Vikings get cold sometimes. A blanket printed with a Norse-inspired pattern will keep the Viking in your life nice and toasty when the temperature dips. This is essential for Vikings that live in cold areas, though not so much for those that dwell in the heat of Florida or Brazil.

A Valhalla Ladder

A Valhalla Ladder is a garland-like decoration consisting of driftwood hung from a string. It acts as both rustic decor and a protective charm for the home. Traditionally, these wood ladders were made from wood collected during a Viking's travels. Upon returning home, they wove them into a trophy as a reminder of their travels. You can buy a premade Valhalla Ladder online, or, for a more personal touch, make your own with store-bought or foraged driftwood.

If you're looking for high-quality Viking apparel or other Norse mech, Norse Spirit has what you need. Whether you're looking for something for yourself or as a gift for a buddy, come and see what we have to offer. Embrace the Norse Spirit with apparel, drinking horns, jewelry, and other items that harken back to the Viking era!