20 holiday gift ideas from Czechia for every budget and style

Whether you go big or go small, shop local! Our gift guide aims to take the guesswork out of what to buy this year.

Expats.cz Staff

Written by Expats.cz Staff Published on 02.12.2022 14:00:00 (updated on 08.02.2023) Reading time: 6 minutes

For food lovers

Sinful sweets|This year saw the opening of a boutique devoted to mini versions of the classic Czech confection větrníky. The desserts which fittingly translate to "little wreaths" come in a Christmas edition coated in snowy white coconut. Order boxes of 4, 8, 32, and 72 pieces with gift cards attached. If hybrid desserts are more your style, a new branch of Oh Deer Bakery has gift sets featuring cronuts and prosecco.

Bountiful boxes and baskets|The Czech Manboxeo project now offers a box for women. But gender is more irrelevant to brute strength when it comes to these gift-concealing wooden crates that must be pried open with tools. The reveal can be anything from chocolate to wine. For more traditional baskets, The Italians' gift baskets are a gourmet holiday delight!

PARTNER TIP|A CHOCOLATE A DAY It's not too late to start the Christmas countdown with a traditional advent calendar. Advent is observed in Czechia with candle lighting as well as chocolate eating. Elevate your calendar to a gourmet experience this year while adding a festive touch to your home. The elegant Ferrero Prestige Advent Calendar houses classic Ferrero Rocher and Mon Chéri as well as irresistible Küsschen pralines.

Ferrero Prestige Advent Calendar
Ferrero Prestige Advent Calendar

FOR earth mothers (and fathers)

Feel-good gifts|The new e-shop, Nakup na Dobro, currently crowdfunding on the HitHit platform, stocks a variety of Czech-made sustainable products and gifts with guilt-free packaging-free delivery, in cooperation with social initiatives. Among the many cool gifts for lovers of Czech culture are upcycled wallets from a banner that once hung on the National Museum.

Nature under the tree|Purchase plots of endangered land, wetlands, steppes, and primeval forests, many of which are home to rare and endangered animals and plants. These certificates of ownership contribute to the upkeep of precious Czech flora and fauna and start at just CZK 200.

PARTNER TIP|Organic goodies Czech cosmetics company Botanicus celebrated 30 years on the market in 2022. The majority of its beauty products and organic foods are made from ingredients grown on its farm outside of Prague. Gift boxes filled with an assortment of soaps, shampoos, fragrances, hand and body creams, and bath products are available at their e-shop or brick-and-mortar shop in Prague. Christmas gift packages also include a delightful mix of organic jams, honey, teas, and chutneys and can be ordered online or in person, or custom-made. Candles can also be purchased via their e-shop.

Photo via Botanicus
Photo via Botanicus

For art & design enthusiasts

Slow design|Opened by a pair of expat entrepreneurs earlier this year, Raiz art and design studio stocks numerous handcrafted treasures that make for meaningful gifts. Among them are stunning ceramic mugs, candle holders, and plates by Studio Hand Prague. Handbags, prints, and jewelry as well as gift vouchers are currently on offer.

Art for beginners|The 100ks.cz project is for those with an interest in buying contemporary art but don't know how to start. Here non-collectors can acquire limited-edition prints created by both established Czech artists and rising stars of the scene for accessible prices. Gift vouchers are available for the holiday season.

PARTNER TIP|Give the gift of glass Moser Christmas sets are stunning crystal gifts perfect for festive toasting. The company's original drink sets are embellished with an Arctic reindeer or snowflake. The Brandy & Cognac Collection is particularly festive thanks to its gold rim inspired by a knitting pattern. Additional gift options can be created via the company's MyMoser online configurator which lets you design a bespoke piece in a variety of shapes and cuts, including the "Diva" vase with a mistletoe motif. Or opt for an unique experience, and book a tour of the glassworks in Karlovy Vary.

Photo via Moser.
Photo via Moser

For book worms

Pop-culture present|Fans of David Bowie and Czech culture will enjoy this newly released photo book, Looking for the Light, which features the fascinating story behind some of the pop idols' most iconic portraits, taken by photographer Antonin Kratochvíl. The book also contains an essay by Michael Persson.

For Fashionistas

Silky sentiments|After learning her trade with stints at Marc Jacobs and Acne, Czech fashion designer Andrea Vytlačilová has opened her own studio and showroom in Malá Strana where she creates stunning silk scarves and handbags. A Christmas pop-up will take place in Prague from Dec. 11-12 and you can also order via the designer's e-shop.

Built-to-last jewelry|The collection of necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings on display at the newly opened Prague workshop of Du Coeur is crafted from gold-plated metal for extra longevity. Delicate gold disks and elegant freshwater pearl pieces come in Christmas sets for an affordable price.

Chic but cozy footwear|The idea of barefoot shoes may conjure awkward toe-hugging footwear but Czech brand BeLenka's line of barefoot boots, sneakers, and sandals are as comfy as they are chic. From slip-ons to sherpa-lined to long boots minimalists will appreciate the brand's sleek silhouettes and subdued hues for men, women, and kids.

PARTNER TIP|Treasured timepiece Klenotnictví Dušák includes a number of brands in its portfolio but the OMEGA Constellation Master Chronometer makes for an unforgettable gift. The watch's dramatic design is characterized by its half-moon facets and "claws" on the case. A natural green aventurine dial and a matching leather strap are standout features while the watch is made of 18K Sedna gold and has a diamond-encrusted bezel and date window at 6 o'clock. The heart of the watch is the OMEGA Co-Axial Master Chronometer caliber 8701, which can be viewed through a scratch-resistant domed sapphire crystal.

Photo via Klenotnictví Dušák
Photo via Klenotnictví Dušák

For little ones

Playtime in pieces|Games, maps, puzzles, and playing cards with Czech and Slovak motifs, created by design academy students, are as educational as they are artistic. The Lebo Madved project can also custom-create board games.

Retro fun|Modernista's wooden toys, including a traditional Czech devil, are the perfect gift for the mischievous little one in your life. The design is based on the toy devils created for traditional Prague Christmas markets in the 1920s and also serves as a candy box.

For the traditionalist

Socks that knock yours off|It wouldn't be Czech Christmas without socks under the tree. Ferdinand socks elevate this standard gift to an art form with designs from top Czech illustrators and motifs ranging from sausages to the "ankles on fire" rimmed with furry flames.

Beauty sets|A set of cosmetics or body wash and shampoo is a common gift in Czechia. The Czech-made brand Dermacol Prague's gift boxes include a range of products in festive packaging for both men and women at a nice price. The first foundations in the world were developed in the Czech laboratory of Dermacol, and it was used by Hollywood stars already in the 1960s.

Christmas ornaments|Czech design shop CVRK's simple ornaments are incredibly affordable for those looking for stock stuffers and tree toppers on a budget. Choose from natural wood and macramé or even 3D-printed ornaments.

PARTNER TIP|Picture this You can never go wrong with photos of kids, pets, and loved ones. Squared.one lets you upload your photos from your phone, desktop, or Instagram and have them printed locally in their Prague photo lab. From print photos to photo magnets or books or even a 2023 photo calendar, gifts can be shipped to most addresses worldwide meaning you can send your loved ones a thoughtful gift even if you're not together for the holidays.

Photo via Square.One
Photo via Squared.One

FOR THRILL SEEKERS

Try the Sky Bridge|Sky Bridge 721 caused a stir worldwide when it opened in the Czech Republic this year. Named for its staggering length, it is the longest suspension footbridge in the world. The Czech ski resort town of Dolní Morava where it is located is now offering gift passes for that thrill-seeking special someone.

Zipline lovers only|The beauty of the Czech mountains is well known. But have you ever seen the country’s stunning scenery from above, traveling at high speeds with nothing but the air between you and the ground below? The newly opened zipline at the Klíny sports complex is causing a sensation by offering a unique way to inject some adrenaline into a Czech mountain adventure. Make a reservation to try it here.

PARTNER TIP|Alpine adventure Luxury travel company Ricard & Bonette organizes premium excursions from snow-drifting in Austria to training sessions on the Charade circuit in France where the Formula 1 Grand Prix. If zooming through Alpine passes is on your loved one's bucket list gift him or her the journey of a lifetime this Christmas (delivered free in an elegant gift box).

Ricard Bonette Sweden 10-2022 ice drive 39_M32_0034
Ricard & Bonette offers a number of excursions
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