Today we share some of our favourite gift ideas from Belgium you can send to friends and family back home, via Amazon; from Belgian chocolate and beer to a bit of quirky fun.
Since 2005, Alison and I have lived far from our families. This is our choice, of course, but it is still an emotional stress, especially around the holidays.
When we go back to Canada to visit, we load up our suitcases with various Belgian and European delicacies (aka food) to share with friends and family. If you have been following CheeseWeb, then you’ll know sharing our discoveries is one of our favourite things.
With the holiday season upon us and so many people away from their families, I started thinking about how to share Belgium with family back home. Of course, you could buy gifts in Belgium and ship them. But have you seen the cost of international shipping in Belgium? bpost charges €16.40+ to ship up to 5kg to adjacent countries, €32.80 for the rest of the EU (and USA), and €65.60 to ship elsewhere! We shipped gifts our first year and then stopped. It was too expensive.
So I thought about Amazon. Amazon’s extensive catalogue and free shipping to many locations is a top choice for many people during the holidays. We use them often personally. But what sort of Belgian products are for sale on Amazon? I decided to dive in and give you my top picks.
Obviously, I haven’t had time to go through every product in every Amazon country. I focused on the US and the UK stores. If you are from France, Italy, Germany, Canada, or another country with an Amazon store, you may or may not find the same products.
Tip: Amazon’s products use the same URL structure (and product codes) across all their stores. So if you see a product on Amazon.com, just change the ‘.com’ to your preferred store (e.g. .de) to see if it is available there.
If you click on any of the Amazon links in this post, we get a small commission. It doesn’t cost you a penny extra but it gives us a few cents to help cover our expenses.
Books About Belgium
Amazon USA
The Bright Side of Belgium
The Foodie Guide to Brussels
Beautiful Belgium: Images of Belgium’s Hidden Beauty
Amazon UK
The Bright Side of Belgium
The Foodie Guide to Brussels
Beautiful Belgium: Images of Belgium’s Hidden Beauty
Chocolate – What’s a holiday without some chocolate?
This is one of our top requests when we travel back to Canada. We have our favourites, but when shopping abroad, you can’t always get what you want. However, there are some good chocolate choices out there.
Amazon USA
Godiva Chocolatier Classic Gold 19pc Ballotin
Dolfin 48 Napolitans Spiced Selection Pack
The Neuhaus Collection – Truffles
The Neuhaus Collection – Assorted Dark, Milk & White Chocolates
Neuhaus 25 Pieces Dark Chocolate Collection
Amazon UK
Café Tasse Filled Hat Box
Dolfin Salted Butter Caramels in Milk Chocolate with Wild Berries
Luxury Leonidas Belgian Chocolates, Pralines, Butter Creams, Truffles
Godiva Christmas 2016 Advent Calendar
Godiva Signature Truffes 16 Pieces
Collection Gift Box Côte d’Or
Cooking is a big part of any holiday, so why not add some Belgian cuisine?
Ever wanted to learn how to make stoofvlees (Flemish beef stew)? Or maybe try cooking in beer? Here are some books which are sure to whet your appetite. I’ve also thrown in a waffle maker because you can’t have a holiday without waking up to waffles. Right?
Amazon USA
What’s Cooking in Belgium: Recipes and Stories from a Food-Loving Nation
The Food and Cooking of Belgium: Traditions, Ingredients, Tastes Techniques in Over 60 Classic Recipes
Everybody Eats Well in Belgium Cookbook
Recipes From A Belgian Kitchen: 60 Authentic Recipes From Belgium’s Classic Cuisine
The Taste of Belgium
A Slice of Belgium
Waring Pro WMK600 Double Belgian-Waffle Maker
Classique Belgian Waffle Mix, 16-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 3)
French Fry Cone with Stand and 2 Dip Dishes, White/ Chrome
Amazon UK
What’s Cooking in Belgium: Recipes and Stories from a Food-Loving Nation
The Food and Cooking of Belgium: Traditions, Ingredients, Tastes and Techniques in Over 60 Classic Recipes
Everybody Eats Well in Belgium Cookbook
Recipes from a Belgian Kitchen: 60 Authentic Recipes from Belgium’s Classic Cuisine
The Taste of Belgium
A Slice of Belgium
Luxury Double Belgian Waffle Maker in Stainless Steel, Includes 1kg Belgian Style Waffle Mix
Luxury Belgian Style Waffle Mix
French Fry Cone with Stand and 2 Dip Dishes – White/Chrome
What would a Belgian gift list be without beer?
I highly recommend the Good Beer Guide and All Belgian Beers books. They are both on my bookshelf, and I use them frequently to better understand Belgian beer. I’ve also highlighted the Kwak beer glass as its unique design makes it my favourite Belgian beer glass.
Apologies to our American readers, Amazon US doesn’t carry beer. I know! It’s a sad state of affairs. However, they do have beer… soap! You’ll smell nice and have beer. It’s win-win, yes!? The reviews all seem positive about it. Please don’t try to melt it down and drink it though. Final thought: if you washed someone’s mouth out with this soap, would it be a good or a bad thing?
Amazon USA
Craft Brew Sampler 6-Piece Beer Glasses Set
Brew Like a Monk: Trappist, Abbey, and Strong Belgian Ales and How to Brew Them
Good Beer Guide Belgium
All Belgian Beers
Farmhouse Ales: Culture and Craftsmanship in the Belgian Tradition
Kwak Beer Glass with Stand
Belgian Sampler Chalice Beer Glasses 4 Piece
The Pink Elephant Beer Soap – Made with Delirium Noel Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Beer Soap (Belgian Witbier)
Rochefort 6 8 10 Belgian Beer Ale Lover Cool Worn Look T Shirt
Belgium National Drinking Team | Belgian Beer Pride T-shirt
Periodic Table of Beers T-shirt
Amazon UK
Artland Beer Collection Glasses, Set of 4, Clear
Good Beer Guide Belgium (Good Beer Guides)
All Belgian Beers
Brew Like a Monk: Trappist, Abbey, and Strong Belgian Ales and How to Brew Them
Cooking with Belgian Beers: Great recipes flavoured with the famous ‘Westhoek’ beers
Beer Hawk Belgian Beer Case (15 Beers)
Kwak Belgian Beer Gift Pack
Belgian Beer Taster Pack
Delirium Gift Pack with Glass, 4 x 330 ml
Rochefort Beer Gift Pack
I Mustache You For A Beer Funny Adult T-Shirt Tee
Brewery Brewing Beer Process Chart Men’s T-Shirt
Finished eating and drinking? Time for a bit of fun…
Holidays are supposed to be time with family and an opportunity to let your hair down. Here are some ideas to indulge the interests of your more youthful (in age or spirit) friends and family.
Amazon USA
Little Whizzer Novelty Liquor Dispenser
Scrabble with Belgian Chocolate Pieces
Bruxelles 1893 Art Nouveau Board Game
A Street in Belgium 3D Puzzle (184 pieces)
I Love Snowy T-Shirt in Black
I Love Belgium T-shirt
Belgium Brussels Map Big Town Hoodie
Silver Belgium Heart Memory Charm (Fits Pandora Bracelets & Compatible with Most Major Brands)
Asterix in Belgium
Hergé and the Treasures of Tintin
Brussels Skyline Cover for Macbook 13″ Air/Pro/Retina
Amazon UK
Little Whizzer Novelty Liquor Dispenser
Scrabble with Belgian Chocolate Pieces
Bruxelles 1893 Art Nouveau Board Game
A Street in Belgium 3D Puzzle (184 pieces)
Belgium Federal Police Toyota Land Cruiser
Playmobil Sports and Action Soccer Player from Belgium
SoccerStarz 402937 Belgium 2016 Edition V1 15 Player Team Pack
Gent Belgium Jigsaw Puzzle (1000 Pieces)
Vintage Belgium Stars Logo Retro Belgian T-Shirt
Asterix in Belgium
Hergé and the Treasures of Tintin
Know a Belgian? Don’t forget them on your list!
For such a small country, we are constantly amazed at how often we run into Belgians around the world. Of course, you can buy a Belgian many of the products listed above, but for some, it’s just impossible to find the right gift. My recommendation is to appeal to their subtle humour and patriotism. Or stick to buying them some beer or chocolate.
Amazon USA
Belgium 100% Silk Necktie for Men
Belgium Country Flag (3x5ft, Nylon)
Have No Fear The Belgian Is Here – Unisex T-shirt
Vintage Men’s “Belgique” T-shirt
Amazon UK
SoccerStarz Belgium International 15-Figurine Team Pack
Belgium Country Flag 150 x 90 cm
Belgium Dog Football T-Shirt – 6 Sizes
Belgian Boy, Gold Finish, Water Feature
Good luck with your shopping and happy holidays!
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