Welcome to Ugly Duckli
A personal Copenhagen universe created by Rikke V. Stoltz, bringing together authentic Danish Christmas traditions, private experiences, inspiring talks and thoughtful work with leaders and entrepreneurs.
Rooted in Denmark. Created for people everywhere.
Ugly Duckli began with a love of Danish paper hearts and the wish to preserve a beautiful Christmas tradition. Over time, it grew into a wider personal universe shaped by entrepreneurship, leadership, creativity, courage and curiosity.
Everything you find here has been personally selected, developed or created by me. Some visitors come to discover Danish Christmas traditions. Others come for a private experience in Copenhagen, an international talk, strategic collaboration or inspiration from a life spent building companies and ideas.
What connects it all is a belief that meaningful work can be both thoughtful and beautiful.
Find the part of the universe that speaks to you
Handcrafted Danish Christmas Shop
Discover Danish Christmas decorations in solid brass and premium glossy paper. The collection includes handwoven Christmas hearts, elegant brass ornaments and thoughtful gifts inspired by authentic Danish traditions.
We ship internationally from Copenhagen.
Explore the Christmas collectionPrivate Paper Heart Experience
Step into a real Danish home on Frederiksberg and learn to create traditional woven paper hearts in a calm, personal setting.
The two-hour private experience is designed for families and small groups and includes stories, creativity, Danish hospitality and a touch of hygge.
Discover the private experienceInternational Speaking
Talks shaped by more than 30 years of international business, entrepreneurship, leadership, company building and personal transformation.
Topics include courage in transition, creating what the world has not yet seen, leadership, AI and building a meaningful working life.
Explore talks by Rikke V. StoltzBoard Work and Strategic Collaboration
I work internationally with boards, founders and leadership teams across shipping, offshore wind, energy transition, AI-enabled businesses and company building.
My work combines commercial experience, governance, strategic judgement and a practical understanding of how organisations move from ambition to execution.
Read about board and advisory workThe Ugly Duckli Christmas Shop is now available in English
You can now shop the complete Christmas collection in English and have your order delivered internationally from Copenhagen.
The collection brings together two materials that are central to the Ugly Duckli tradition:
- Handwoven Danish Christmas hearts made from durable, specially produced glossy paper.
- Brass ornaments protected with a clear lacquer for both indoor and outdoor use.
- Original designs inspired by classic Danish Christmas traditions.
- Personal service and careful packing from Frederiksberg, Copenhagen.
A little Christmas shop with a long story
The woven Christmas heart is one of Denmark's most treasured traditions. Our designs were created by my father, Hans Vallentin Stoltz, and have been shared with customers and visitors from around the world for more than two decades.
The original concept was recognised with the Formland Award for combining design, tradition and cultural storytelling.
Today, the hearts and brass ornaments are created to be enjoyed year after year, becoming part of new family traditions far beyond Denmark.
Discover the story of Danish Christmas hearts
Danish woven Christmas hearts are created from two folded pieces of paper, carefully cut and woven together to form a small basket. They are traditionally hung on the Christmas tree and may hold sweets, nuts or a handwritten message.
The tradition is associated with Denmark, creativity, family time and the quiet pleasure of making something with your hands. The oldest known woven paper heart is linked to Hans Christian Andersen.
At Ugly Duckli, the tradition is not treated as a nostalgic museum piece. It is something alive, shared through products, stories and personal experiences.
Create your own Danish paper hearts
Our DIY gift box includes glossy paper and materials for creating classic Danish woven hearts at home.
You can also download our free folding guide and begin with the two most traditional designs.
It is a mindful Christmas activity for adults, families and anyone who wants to bring a small piece of Danish tradition into their home.
See the DIY Christmas Heart Gift BoxMore than a workshop
The Private Paper Heart Experience takes place in my home on Frederiksberg. It is designed as a personal and unhurried encounter with Danish Christmas traditions, rather than a conventional group workshop.
Guests hear the story of the Danish Christmas heart, learn the weaving technique, work with beautiful materials and enjoy a warm, private setting. Each guest also receives a small brass heart to take home as a keepsake.
The experience is available in English or Danish for private groups of up to six people.
Created by Rikke V. Stoltz
My professional life has taken me from international leadership roles with A.P. Møller Maersk to entrepreneurship, offshore wind, board work and company building.
I was part of the founding team behind the business that became Cadeler, today a publicly listed global leader in offshore wind installation, and later served on its board for six years.
Today, I work across board responsibilities, new ventures, speaking, governance, AI and long-term value creation.
Ugly Duckli is the personal space where these professional experiences meet creativity, family history, culture and the Danish traditions I want to preserve.
Selected areas of work
- International board and advisory roles
- Shipping, offshore wind and energy transition
- Entrepreneurship and company building
- Leadership, governance and strategy
- AI-enabled business development
- Speaking and private mentoring
- Danish cultural experiences and design
Work with Rikke
Alongside the Christmas universe, I work with organisations and individuals who are building, leading or changing something meaningful.
Speaking
International talks on entrepreneurship, courage, leadership, transformation, AI and creating what the world has not yet seen.
Explore speaking topicsBoard and Advisory Work
Strategic and governance work for international companies, founders, investors and leadership teams.
Explore board experienceStrategic Mentoring
Personal one-to-one work for entrepreneurs and leaders who want thoughtful challenge, practical clarity and stronger execution.
Enquire about working together“Ugly Duckli is where business experience, personal courage and Danish cultural traditions meet. Everything here has a story, and everything is created with the hope that it may bring meaning, beauty or momentum to someone else.”
Where would you like to begin?
Explore the Christmas collection, book a private Copenhagen experience, discover my talks or get in touch about a possible collaboration.
Based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Products ship internationally. Experiences, talks and collaborations are available in English and Danish.