Viking Christmas gifts

Why order early

Nothing here sits in a warehouse. When you order, your t-shirt is printed, packed and then posted, and that takes time. In a normal week it arrives within five to ten working days. In December the printers and the post are both at full stretch, which is why we give a date that allows the full ten working days before Christmas Eve. If you are reading this after that date, you can still order, but please treat a Christmas arrival as a bonus and not a promise.

Who to buy for

• The dad or uncle who is impossible to buy for. He does not need another book about tanks. He needs the horned helmet tee.
• The brother. Sibling gifts should be slightly mocking and secretly good. The classic logo tee does both.
• The partner. Choose red if he likes attention and black if he does not. More ideas are on our gifts for him page.
• The Secret Santa. Our mugs are the budget friendly pick, and the one present in the office that will not be regifted.
• The one who is always cold. A black Viking hoodie will see them through to spring.
• The one whose size you do not know. A cap adjusts to fit, so you cannot get it wrong.
• The stag to be. If there is a wedding next year, a shirt now is a fine way to announce that the planning has begun. See our stag do t-shirts.

Sizes, colours and returns

Every t-shirt design comes in black, white and red, in sizes from XS to 5XL. To guess a size, check the label of a t-shirt they already wear, and go up one if you are unsure. If it does not fit, the item can be returned unworn within 14 days of delivery for a refund. That window starts when the parcel arrives, so early shoppers should check the size before wrapping. The full policy is on our delivery and returns page.

How the Vikings did midwinter

Long before Christmas reached Scandinavia, the Norse marked the darkest part of the year with a feast called jol. It is the same word as the English Yule, and Christmas is still called jul in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. The sagas describe it as a time for gathering in the hall, drinking toasts to the gods and to the dead, and eating well while the stores were full.

One custom has a familiar ring. On Yule evening a boar was led into the hall, and men laid their hands on its bristles and swore solemn oaths about what they would achieve in the coming year. It is often suggested as an ancestor of both the Christmas ham and the New Year resolution, and it sounds a good deal more fun than a gym membership.

If that has given you a taste for it, our guides to Viking sayings and Norse gods will see you through to the Boxing Day leftovers.

Common questions