Christmas gift ideas from the Basque Country: 17 surprises to offer

Want to offer gifts from the Basque Country for Christmas? Its good local products, its local delicacies, iconic or typical objects? Support small traders, artisans and artists in the Basque Country, offer products and services that make sense. Here are 17 great ideas to pick from.

Opening photo: Les Couteliers Basques, click to see their information sheet.

1-) Talaia Sticks

Walking sticks are a traditional object of the Basque Country, of the Makhila. The Talaia sticks are art objects as many perfect tools for walking or to decorate your living room! It is possible to personalize them, they are made by hand.

Photos: @ Talaia Sticks

2-) The candles of Louise Bougies

For lovers of hikes, walks, beautiful paths and extraordinary viewpoints in the Basque Country, the book Iparralde by Michel Pierre LÉON is a real gem. This is the first in a series of Guides dedicated to Labourd. The graphics are attractive and it will certainly make backpackers want to put on their sneakers! Michel Pierre Léon has crisscrossed the Basque regions with his camera to bring back some very beautiful shots, illuminated by texts and anecdotes that will delight lovers of the Basque Country. A beautiful book to offer or to be offered, you will find it in local bookstores and in the usual points of sale on the Internet.

You can also send an e-mail to Michel Pierre LÉON to order his work: leonmichelpierre@gmail.com

Photos : @ Bonjour Studio Graphique

3-) A Basque lorea jewel

Offer a sumptuous Basque jewel for Christmas to your loved one. Bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces. Basque jewelry for children, for men and women. Lorea makes Basque jewelry by hand and in an artisanal way. The models are unique , carefully drawn, they come to life in the workshop in Bayonne or in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Some are adorned with precious stones, the collections are designed for all occasions: weddings, baptisms, birthdays, and the price range adapts to all budgets, according to occasions, desires and needs.

Photo: @ Lorea Basque Jewelry

4-) A traditional Basque fabric

We no longer need to introduce Lartigue 1910 , the Basque linen factory, based in Ascain. 4 generations of weavers are a guarantee of quality and unequaled know-how, for products that know how to keep up with the times! Come to the workshop or look at their collection online, to choose household linen according to your tastes, always with a touch of Basque motifs, shimmering colors and the pleasure of having kitchen linen, bed linen or toilet that lasts over time.

5-) A Basque knife

Here is a beautiful gift, that lovers of beautiful blades will appreciate. Les Couteliers Basques is a cutlery where everything is made by hand, by talented craftsmen: Andréa and Pascal. 30 years of experience, knives made of precious woods and worked with care. Visit the factory in Bidart and consult their website to get an overview of all the existing models. Special favorite with the Espelette pepper knife, so pretty that it is almost appetizing. Also trust the Urchoeguia family of cutlers , based in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. It is a well-stocked store where you can find beautifully crafted knives from all over France, but also and above all the Saint-Jean-de-Luz knife, handmade in an artisanal way and the traditional Basque knife, the Basque Yatagan. Bring home a bit of the Basque Country through a functional and simply elegant object.

Photos: @ The Basque Cutlers

6-) A gift voucher for a changing activity

Are you looking for an original Christmas gift to live a unique experience in the Basque Country? Offer leisure, time in nature, outside in the open air! It changes and it feels good. For instance ? A gift voucher for Jet Skiing or a Towed Buoy ride in the Basque Country , that's fun, fun and perfect for teens or adults thirsty for adrenaline. Or why not offer a gift voucher to rent a quad in the Basque Country ? To go for a walk in nature. The electric scooter is also a "must do" for fans of extreme sports, it's moving!

To do this, simply contact the organizers of sporting events and activities, they will be happy to help you make a gift that changes, original and sporty!

Noa Adventure for the rental of electric scooters Photo @Noa adventure

7-) A "gift voucher" in a restaurant in the Basque Country

What a pleasure to return to the restaurant soon! Support your favorite restaurateurs, please those you love and offer not a product gift but a service: Ask a restaurateur for a "gift voucher" to enjoy a delicious meal in a Basque restaurant , as soon as possible. What a great tasty idea!

Click to see our selection of restaurants in the Basque Country .

For an incomparable experience, the starred restaurant Briketenia . Photo @ Briketenia

8-) A gourmet box from a cannery in the Basque Country

Gastronomic delights are a real tradition in the Basque Country. Here we eat well, we cook with know-how and with top quality and local products. Trust the traditional canneries of the Basque Country : offer a gourmet gift basket , with preserves or jars. Pâtés, Foie Gras, Ham, Cooked specialties such as axoa, liquor, wine… The advantage? You stay within your budget because you choose the products that make up your gourmet basket.

Click to see a selection of the best canneries in the Basque Country .

Photo: @Etxe Peio

9-) Basque cakes and biscuits

The Basque Country is not only the champion of charcuterie, there is also a long tradition of talented pastry chefs. Take for example the Basque cake, did you know that it is a traditional domestic cake? It was made by housewives at the same time as bread and corn cakes, to take to the fields. It was not only filled with cream or cherry jam, we put inside what we found in the pantry. Today, there is a whole range of delicious Basque sweet specialties to discover at pastry chefs and in macaroons and cannelés shops...

Click to view a selection of Basque biscuit and cake shops

Photos: @ Maison Adam

10-) Attention, hot in front, the Basque Pepper

Don't forget to offer the warmest of Basque gifts: the Espelette pepper . Made in the city of the same name, it is an AOC of which the whole region is very proud and there is reason for it. It is the Basque pepper, it accompanies most traditional recipes, it is tasty, not very spicy, but spicy, fragrant and its almost smoky and fruity aroma gives an absolutely essential touch to all dishes of Basque origin.

Click to discover shops and Espelette pepper producers .

Photo: @Bipia

11-) Offer a visit to a Basque craftsman

If you are in the Basque Country, on vacation or planning to come, offer a voucher for a visit to your friends! Meet a producer of Basque cider Sagarno, a producer of Ossau Iraty cheese, a manufacturer of Basque cakes, a chocolate factory... It's the promise of a gourmet moment, a walk in a beautiful shop and a gift moment to share with those who matter to you!

Click to see our section of

visits to the Basque Country .

Photo: @ Pierre Ibaialde

12-) A Basque leather bag or product

This is a gift that will delight both women and men. Leather Goods are bags, but also wallets, clutches, decorative objects, belts… La Maroquinerie Banka works with trout skin, in an exclusive and unique tanning process. The Atelier Manufactoum in Saint-Jean-de-Luz uses skins from Basque leather tanners to make high-end products, an exceptional gift for your loved one? Maison Laffargue has been manufacturing magnificent bags, satchels and leather accessories since 1890, 4 generations of leather craftsmen to seduce you.

Photo: @ Banka Leather Goods

13-) The essential Basque Espadrille

You don't know espadrilles ? These are the traditional shoes of the Basque Country (dating from the 18th century), elevated to the rank of local emblems. With a sole braided in vegetable material (jute or hemp), topped with a linen canvas in Basque colors, it is comfortable, elegant with an old-fashioned side that has stood the test of time. Today, it is a real fashion accessory! Offer Basque Espadrilles for Christmas!

Take a look at our selection of Basque espadrilles manufacturers .

Photo: @ Don Quichosse

14-) A Basque pottery or ceramic

A very good gift idea for lovers of beautiful pieces of art or functional. Basque Pottery , elegantly executed by a family at Poterie Goicoechea . Unique pieces, made with a pure and very light earth, to sublimate an entrance, a terrace, to highlight a floral composition, to put a vase on a console to decorate a room soberly.

Photo: @ Pottery Goicoechea Artisan

15-) Basque spirits and brandies

The Basque Country is host to a fine collection of spirits, eaux-de-vie, liqueurs and digestives. This is because there are many plants with formerly medicinal virtues, today mostly consumed for pleasure (in moderation...). It is a great gift for lovers of these precious liquids, which are enjoyed at the end of a meal or as an aperitif, in cocktails or simply with ice cubes.

Click to see our selection of Patxaran, Patxaka, Gin, Whiskies...

Photo: @ Anaiak distillery

16-) Offer a flight over the Basque Country

Let's take a little height during the end of year celebrations, offer a first flight in a helicopter! The opportunity for an extraordinary outing, for photo enthusiasts, for those who know the territory so well, that they will appreciate seeing it from a new angle, or just for the pleasure of riding in a helicopter, is not it ? Discover Procoptere Aviation in BIarritz

Photo: @Procopter Aviation

17-) Discovery of dolphins and cetaceans

A boat trip , on a magnificent catamaran to go on an expedition to meet dolphins, is it possible? Yes, with Explore Ocean , it's a good idea for a Christmas gift, offer a sunset from the ocean or a day with dolphins.

Photo: @ Explore Ocean

BONUS well-being gift idea in Biarritz

And why not offer a moment of well-being and relaxation? Hammam, body care, facial, massage... Relaxation guaranteed in an elegant and exotic setting, in the heart of the seaside town of Biarritz! The Hammam Biarritz is a well-being break to offer or treat yourself! Gift vouchers are available, to be used whenever you wish.