Alcohol is very expensive in Norway, so a bottle of brandy or other spirit from the tax free store is often highly appreciated.
Other items: Clothes from chains of stores not represented in Norway seems to be popular, like The Gap brand t-shirts.
You should probably respectfully request that guests do not bring gifts. They can still bring gifts or money if they choose.
The best way to get free baby gifts is to have a friend or family member throw you a baby shower. Everyone will bring gifts.
Norwegian gifts are warpped in a single layer og gift paper. Like everywhere else
Jewish tradition considers it improper to handle money or to carry anything between public and private domains on the Sabbath, so if you are coming to a Sabbath service to celebrate the event, it's traditional not to bring the gift to the synagogue. Non-Jews aren't held to this commandment, though, and since many do bring gifts, it's common for there to be a basket where they can be left. If there's an "after party" on Saturday night, bringing gifts there is entirely appropriate. If the family is celebrating at a Friday evening service and the service start before sunset, it's entirely appropriate to bring gifts then.
If you want your guests not to bring gifts to the birthday party, you can simply put "No gifts, please" as a foot note on the birthday invitation.
No, Jewish people do not believe in Christ, so they don't celebrate Christmas. They celebrate Hanukkah, and their parents/family bring them gifts.
Ask them to replace gifts for foods and wine. At least to half of them.
Of course it is appropriate to send thank you cards for Christmas gifts! It shows that you appreciated their gifts and respect them enough to let them know what they did was thankful and caring.
Gifts of talent is the grace, program taht you bring
The type of gifts that are appropriate for Hanukkah are gifts that are small but are also meaningful. Buy a gift that you know they would love but also make sure its not too big.
The site familycrafts dot about dot com gives many ideas for family gifts. Those can be ideas of gifts for her, gifts for him, gifts for children, and gifts for parents.
Certainly, just say please before or after the no gifts message .