The Ribenisser Eigil sitting W: 10 cm H: 8 cm L: 7.8 cm

Elves have always held a special place in my heart, and the charming Ribenisser from Ib Laursen are certainly no exception.

These little elves are full of personality and have the loveliest, nostalgic look, which fits perfectly with a cozy Danish Christmas. There’s something truly special about them—perhaps because they feel both familiar and at the same time each has its own little quirk.

Each Ribenisse has its own name, age, and story. Take Eigil, for example, who is 487 Christmas Eves old. He often sits on the stone steps behind the old cathedral, where for centuries he has listened to the chimes—according to him, they sound best in winter. Some think he’s waiting for something, but Eigil simply enjoys sitting there, watching the December light hit the cobblestones in Ribe.

Each elf also comes in its own little box, making it extra special. This makes the Ribenisser perfect as a small gift, but also delightful to collect and bring out year after year as a cherished Christmas tradition.

The Ribenisser are decorative on their own, but I think they look best when several are displayed together. It could be on a table, in the windowsill, on a shelf, or as part of a larger Christmas arrangement.

And precisely because there are several different ones, it’s also fun to build your own little collection over time. There’s no doubt that they are perfect collectibles.

The Ribenisser are made of polyresin, also known as synthetic resin.