By Leona Liu

Finding Old World Charm Online

Instead of hitting the crowded malls this holiday season, why not shop for your loved ones curled up in flannel pajamas in front of a blazing fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate? And for a bit of variety, why not consider hand-crafted gifts from Europe, which are now easy to find and buy online?

Whether you're looking for Scottish tartans, French country furnishings, gourmet foods from Spain and Italy, Scandinavian design, or German kitsch, our selection of e-commerce sites covers the territory. All these companies take major credit cards and there's still time left to buy—indeed, many of the sites are operated by U.S.-based importers that can fulfill orders placed only a few days before Christmas. Click on for a tasty look at how you can add a bit of European flavor to this year's holiday festivities.

Christmas delivery cutoff is the last day products can be ordered in time for Dec. 25 delivery via regular shipment to U.S. buyers. Some sites can send items later via express courier. Sites with shorter lead times are typically located in the U.S.