Some things you miss even when life abroad is going well: the noise of a feria, polka dots on the washing line, the light in a whitewashed street. At Christmas that homesickness bites a little harder, and a gift that feels like home lands differently.
This guide is for anyone living outside Spain who fancies a treat, and for anyone with a daughter, a sister or a friend in Paris, Berlin or Amsterdam who wants to send her something with flamenco illustration, hand-drawn in Spain.
What to give: things that travel well and get used every day
For a gift that crosses borders, it is best to choose something that won't break, doesn't depend on a size and gets used during the week, not just at Christmas.
500 ml insulated bottle
Hot coffee on the eight o'clock train, with a northern European winter on the other side of the window. Double-walled stainless steel, unbreakable in the post. Flamenco Insulated Bottle 500 ml — €22.90. Also on Amazon.
66 x 66 cm silk scarf
The lightest gift and the one that shows off most. Mulberry silk to wear at the neck with a winter coat and brighten a grey day. Flamenco Silk Scarf — €28.50. Also on Amazon.
78 x 65 cm kitchen apron
For the one who cooks tortilla, salmorejo or cocido for her friends over there. A little bit of home in the kitchen. Flamenco Kitchen Apron — €19.50. Also on Amazon.
350 ml ceramic mug
It travels in its own box and is microwave and dishwasher safe. The mug for every video call with the family. Flamenco Ceramic Mug — €12.50. Also on Amazon.
22 x 17 cm wash bag
For anyone whose suitcase is always half-packed between two countries. Waterproof, with a zip. Flamenco Granada Wash Bag — €12.95. Also on Amazon.
43 x 43 cm tote bag
The shopping bag that gets people asking where it's from. Illustrated on both sides. Málaga Tote Bag — €22.50. Also on Amazon.
17 x 24 cm notebook
For noting down the new language, grandma's recipes or plans for when you're back in the summer. Spiral-bound, 200 squared pages. Flamenco Notebook — €9.95. Also on Amazon.
Three packs that arrive ready to give
If the gift is going straight to her door, a pack is the easiest option: bought in our shop, it arrives in its illustrated gift box, with nothing to wrap.
- Insulated Bottle + Flamenco Apron Pack — €36.90. Also on Amazon.
- Silk Scarf + Insulated Bottle Pack — €44.90. Also on Amazon.
- Málaga Tote + Granada Wash Bag Pack — €29.90. Also on Amazon.
Delivery to the rest of Europe: timings and dates
How long it takes. In-stock items ordered before 14:00 leave our warehouse the same working day. Delivery to the rest of Europe takes 3 to 6 working days from dispatch. From 27 November to 5 January add one more day, because the couriers are busy.
Last date to order. To have it before Christmas Eve, the safe bet is to order before 12 December. The sooner the better: particular designs sell out in December.
Where we deliver. We ship to the European Union. At the moment we don't ship to Switzerland, Norway or Iceland, because the person receiving the gift would end up paying the import duties and customs charges.
Send it to her address. You can pay from Spain and put the recipient's address. If it's a pack, it arrives in its gift box.
More ideas
If you're shopping by budget, see our Christmas gift guide by budget. To see every pack, visit illustrArte Gift Packs, and if there are children in the family, have a look at our flamenco and ballet activity books, also available in English.
The illustrArte products featured in this article are our own designs, sold in our shop.
