What gift to bring from the Netherlands to surprise your friends and colleagues? All tourists are often puzzled by this question. The shelves of souvenir shops in all cities and countries are always filled with cute trinkets: magnets, key chains, badges. But after spending a little time, you can always buy a unique, and not necessarily expensive thing.
The most popular souvenirs from the Netherlands
Whatever one may say, fridge magnets are always in the greatest demand. And the range of these products is simply huge. Holland is no exception. Prices for magnets are almost the same everywhere, but the quality can be very different.
Experienced tourists say that the most beautiful items are sold in the souvenir departments of museums or at the Flower Market in Amsterdam. Magnets are often sold in a set of 5-10. They depict either symbols of the country or colorful Dutch houses. Speaking of houses, people all over the world collect them. Therefore, if you are going to make a trip to Amsterdam more than once, feel free to buy these ceramic souvenirs.
A popular but rather expensive gift is Delft porcelain, one of the symbols of the country. Traditionally, the color scheme of all products is kept in blue and white tones. And it is somewhat reminiscent of Russian Gzhel. Thanks to a special glazing technology, this porcelain has always been famous for its special strength. Not only dishes and vases were made of it, but also cladding for walls and stoves.
Now in souvenir shops you can find imitation of Delft porcelain. Of course, in terms of their quality characteristics, such sets cannot be compared with real products. But they are relatively inexpensive. In souvenir shops you can buy not only tableware. The assortment always includes: Christmas tree decorations; Amsterdam houses; mills (another symbol of the country); figurines of animals and people.
Souvenirs that carry at least some practical benefit are in constant demand. In the Netherlands, you can find a wide variety of kitchen utensils and depictions of the country's main landmarks and national symbols. These can be cutting boards, knives, hot coasters, bright potholders and towels.
The next most popular item belongs to the elements of the national costume. We are talking about wooden shoes, clogs. According to reviews, national wooden shoes are absolutely uncomfortable. Therefore, especially for tourists, they began to produce models from more familiar materials.
If you have no desire to take with you an extra, albeit an original pair of shoes, you can find an excellent alternative. In souvenir shops, miniature shoes in the form of a keychain or a simple ceramic figurine are often found. Small tulips, another symbol of the country, are often inserted into souvenir klomps.
Dutch cheese and waffles
Traveling around the Netherlands, in no case should you miss the opportunity to taste world-famous cheeses. You can take your favorite products with you. Of course, for this it is better to visit a specialized store, where there will definitely be a high-quality product in vacuum packaging.
The price of cheese depends on its type, and can reach 30 and more euros per kilogram. It is worth noting that the price on the window is often indicated for a piece of cheese. You can try exclusive varieties at cheese dairies. You just have to be prepared for the fact that the prices there will be several times higher than in the store.
Another edible gift is Dutch waffles. They are sold on every corner and are relatively cheap. Waffles from the Netherlands are very sweet, so the children will definitely like the gift. In souvenir or pastry shops, these sweets are often sold in their original packaging. For example, in Delft-style tin boxes.
In some shops you can find gift sets that combine all the best examples of Dutch food: pieces of cheese of different varieties, sauce and waffles. So you don't have to waste time looking for all of these products separately.
What other gifts can you bring from the Netherlands?
Men are unlikely to be interested in sweets and ceramic trinkets. As a souvenir for the stronger sex, you can buy Genever juniper vodka or Jopen beer. Please note that alcohol is much cheaper in dute free stores.
If you wish, you can find original toys made of wood or ceramics. Of course, you cannot give such a gift to a child. But as an element of decor, a wooden horse or a porcelain tulip will be a good memory of the trip.
For flower growers, the Netherlands, home to a wide variety of tulip varieties, is a real paradise. Hundreds of bulbs and seedlings are always for sale. However, it is not recommended to buy them in the spring, since last year's goods are displayed in the windows.
