Stuck for ideas for Christmas pressies? Well what about something typically Norwegian? Here are a few suggestions for presents that will also double up as souvenirs. And not a troll in sight, promise!

- Cheese slicer: A practical gift, as well as a slice of trivia rolled in one (no pun intended) – this is one of two Norwegian inventions of recent times. The other one was the paperclip, by the way.

- Knitted mittens: Typically Norwegian, at least if you buy the ones with the black and white Selbu star pattern. They are incredibly warm (much more so I find than normal gloves), and unlike the knitted jumpers, anyone can afford those.

- Wooden coffee cup: I came across those for the first time recently in a camping/outdoors life shop, and I love them. Practical (they are very light), original, and stylish, in a very Scandinavian kind of way. Which probably explains the hefty price tag – at around Kr200 a piece, it’s indulging the coffee drinker(s) in your life, but hey, it’s not Christmas every day.

- Smoked salmon: OK OK, no points for originality, but any gourmet friend or relative will appreciate that one. Look out for the word skiver (slice) on the packet, and make sure you buy laks (salmon), not ørret (trout), in case you can’t tell the difference just looking at them (no, neither can I, if that makes you feel any better).

- Thermal underwear: They might not be sexy, but they do work, and when it’s -15°C outside, who cares?? They come in a range of designs and colours, and you can even get them cheaper than back home. Yes that’s right – cheaper than back home. Now you don’t hear me say that too often do you?