Gifts galore: Snap up these made in Belgium Christmas presents

Looking for special something to offer this year? Here’s our round-up of gift ideas by Belgian brands, from artisan spirits and speculoos to Belgitude babygros…

It’s finger clicking good

Clic Toys is a real go to gift shop for children. The building blocks stimulate little ones’ creativity. Icing on the cake, produced locally in Wuustwezel, north of Antwerp, they are made from recycled materials including 50% recycled plastic. Ecology aside, the click blocks can be used to build an infinite array of animals, people or whole universes. The Magimals range – with Sealife, Farm and Safari boxes (€22.99) – are a delight, or try the Spaghetteez pasta-shaped sticks for endless imaginative fun. Dreamland, Euroshop, Amazon and bol.com.

Pickled berry magic

Deep in the Hainaut countryside, Annabelle Williams and her Le Prunellier team handpick juicy blackcurrants to lovingly make artisanal crème de cassis following a legacy family recipe. The potent blackcurrant liqueur is perfect for festive aperitifs and cocktails, from iconic kir and its more salubrious cousin kir royale, as well as other potent and delicious drinks. Mulled wine and sangria are among its tempting suggested recipes. The 200ml and 500ml bottles are priced from €16.80. Available online and in selected shops in Wallonia and Brussels.

Skin prickling skincare

Natural men’s skincare range DHIST’L forged its brand of thistle extract products with high-quality face cream, serum and fluid before expanding into face wash and a shaving line. They all deploy the antioxidant benefits from the natural plant, offering soothing and anti-age hydration. Now the Flemish company has launched a limited edition gift pack for the season with after-shave serum and a special pair of matching khaki socks from the equally-sustainable focused Atelier Houthuys in Ghent. Available from pharmacies, €28.

It has to be Belgian

Belge une fois in the heart of the very ‘Brusseleir’ Marolles district is a concept store celebrating all things Belgium and its wonderfully quirky ways. Check out games like ‘The Belgian Beers Race’, where you visit as many breweries as possible and ‘Battle Fries’, where you mix your chip and sauce cards as quickly as you can. There are also short-sleeved baby bodies adorned with Belgitudes like ‘God Save La Frite’, ‘Manneken’ or ‘Ketje’. Other great gifts are Saint Nicolas stories or ‘Drache Nationale’, postcards and posters. Last but not least, this paradise for ‘petit pays’ lovers oozes accessories – badges, bags, magnets, mirrors and a beer map. 89 Rue Haute.

Bilingualism rules

We love WIELS’ unisex pink sweat shirts for adults, children and babies bearing the Belgian bilingual message Goeiedag Bonjour. The contemporary arts centre is a trove of gift ideas, from books to hip leather bracelets. Why not snap up matching sets for all the family? €18 for the Babygro version; €29 for children; €42 for adults (range of sizes). Available online and in Wiels bookshop Avenue Van Volxem 354 (Forest)

Creative twist

Brussels jewellery designer Kim Jacob creates appealing minimalist collections with a twist. From elegant silver and gold to contemporary creations and coloured gemstones and pearls, her unique rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets are timeless and always highly wearable. Available in her atelier in Eversem (Flemish Brabant), the Mixage Concept Store in Brussels and other selected shops.

Power to the skin

Reveal your natural beauty with Delbôve’s unique, daily routine focused on just two products: Crème Sorcière (€75) and Eau Sorcière (€65). They are rich in medicinal plants with therapeutic virtues recognised for centuries. Once blended, these iconic formulas create a creamy, sensory milk for gentle, deep cleansing. Created in 1967 by ‘duo’, Marion and Roger Delbôve, Duo Sorcière, both vegan and cruelty-free – only tested on friends and family – is the perfect beauty routine, promising remarkable results for all skin types. Gift box (pictured) €150. 1A/3 Place Stephanie, 67 rue de l’Abbaye (Ixelles).

Harry Potter heaven

Minutes from the Bourse is Brüsel – a comic strip mecca named after the city of famous BD artists François Schuiten and Benoît Peeters in their Les Cités obscures series. This treasure trove, open since 1994, with some 10,000 comic strips, mangas and books for children is also an art gallery where you can find collector’s items including prints, serigraphs and posters. And (Harry) Potterheads will be in paradise as it is also home to The Little Wizard’s Brussels House – crammed with all things Hogwarts, from Marauder’s maps to Weazley wizards and a wonderful array of wands. 100 Boulevard Anspach (Brussels).

Turning Japanese

Is Naruto more your cup of tea? Then Ichiban, almost next door, is for you. Alongside a wonderful selection of Japanese drinks and snacks including bubble tea, mochi, Takis and Swedish Fish, this Asian paradise offers a range of mangas translated into English. Also on show are beautiful katanas (Japanese swords), figurines of manga characters, the ever popular Pokémon cards, posters and other Japanese-style gifts. Looking for something a little different? How about a toxic waste blue raspberry chew bar stocking filler. 94 Boulevard Anspach.

From bean to delicious bar

Brussels oozes chocolate and MIKE&BECKY is a super star example. The Russian-German couple Julia ‘Mike’ Mikerova and Björn ‘Becky’ Becker pride themselves on only using plantations free of child labour that are eco-responsible, organic and where workers are properly paid. Their range of 16 delectable bars (from €5.45), including Indian Spices, Maya Mountain and Juicy Mango, are all handmade, from roasting to wrapping, in a 100% green energy workshop. And the hot chocolate in Brussels’ first bean-to-bar shop/atelier/café is out of this world. 243 Avenue Brugmann (Uccle).

Belgian bubbles

Vineyards across Belgium are flourishing and many specialise in sparkling wines, perfect for the festive season. Suggestions from the south of the country include award-winning Domaine du Chant d’Eole, which produces more than 150,000 bottles from a 40 hectare property close to the French border. Its rosé and white boasts flavoursome mineral notes, while the Belgian spritz is a 100% Belgian-made aperitif. Since 2021, the company also produces an excellent range of skincare; Maison Eole is the first Belgian brand to make cosmetics from vines. Available online and from selected stores.

Art apero

The Folon Foundation, dedicated to famous Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon, has joined forces with eco-friendly vineyard Domaine W to offer this end-of-year gift. The Walloon Brabant duo have come up with an exclusive biodynamic vintage Cuvée Réserve served up in a suitably poetic gift box (only 1,450 are available). The label features a watercolour by Folon, two glasses engraved and illustrated with his famous bird illustration and a family ticket to the museum (€79). On sale in the museum's artshop.

Mocktail paradise

A decent mocktail calls for a good non-alcoholic spirit with a careful balance of aromatics that stand up to mixers. With NONA, there is no compromise on quality or taste. Its natural ingredients and refined de-alcoholisation distillation process of wine preserves the flavour and is an ideal base for gin-style drinks. The blood orange-infused Spritz is a bestseller and the ginger-based spirit - a balanced blend of 12 spices - is a world first. Giftboxes make for a perfect gourmet present. From €11.90. Available online and in supermarkets and specialised stores.

Soap, glorious soap

Like Marseille, the Savonneries Bruxelloises has been creating soaps since 1926, in its original building in the heart of Brussels. Today it is run by two friends united by their passion for using the best possible ingredients and the subtlest perfumes. Choose small (€12), single (€15) or exclusive (€25) boxes of 100g soaps in enticing ‘flavours’ like ginger and lime or black roses. Dead sea mud or calendula glycerine soaps and solid Aloe Vera and green tea shampoos will also enchant. There are even magical soap magnets. 4 Galerie du Roi, Woluwe Shopping and other outlets including Filigranes 39-42 Avenue des Arts

Sweet treats à la Belge

Speculoos biscuits are synonymous with Belgium – and a must to accompany your coffee or tea. For the original, go to Dandoy, famous for these delicacies and pain à la Grecque since 1829. In this family business, tradition and craftsmanship, as well as butter, brown sugar and special spices, are king. In collaboration with the Brussels Beer Project (BBP), Dandoy’s Tough Cookie – a special beer made from broken speculoos – is a must. Biscuit creations include a giant 85cm high Santa (€69) and several smaller versions. The flagship store and delicious tea room are close to the Grand Place. 31 Rue au Beurre.

Photos: (main image) Belge une fois; Le Prunellier ©LeGreenStudio; Coffret Folon Domaine W ® Alexandre Bibaut