News, 11.11.2021

Holiday shopping: Designer gifts from Finland

With the holidays coming up, what better way to surprise your friends and family than with a designer gift from Finland? Finnish design is renowned as classic and durable – plus you can find many Finnish brands available in the US. If you’re looking for gift ideas, here are a few tips to get you started.

Beautiful glass – Iittala Aalto Vase collection

Green, grey, clear and linen-colored Aalto vases, with one of them holding flowers.

Courtesy photo

Finnish architect and design pioneer Alvar Aalto designed the iconic Alvar Aalto Collection originally in 1936. Every vase in the collection continues to be mouth blown at the Iittala Glass Factory in Finland and comes in a wide range of colors and sizes. The Alvar Aalto Collection is an icon of Finnish glass design and is known around the world for its simple yet organic shape. Available at several retailers in the US, including Bloomingdales(Link to another website.).

Timeless and collectable dishes –  Arabia

Colorful patterned Arabia dishes, herbs and spices in a kitchen setting.

Courtesy photo

The Paratiisi tableware series, designed by Birger Kaipiainen, is a beloved Arabia classic. The decoration style of Paratiisi is bold and colorful and mirrors the artists' personality. The bright colors illustrate his unique talent in combining colors.

For almost 150 years, Arabia ceramics have been part of Finnish homes, celebrations and the everyday. While Arabia designs tell the story of the times, they are always timeless.  Available at several retailers in the US, including Finnstyle(Link to another website.).

Innovative wooden lighting – Secto Design

Four table lamps in different colors on a white background.

Courtesy Photo

Secto Design(Link to another website.) handmakes lamps with birch wood in the town of Heinola. Finnish artisans craft these one-of-a-kind lights that are sure to brighten up any space.  Available at specialty lighting stores in the US, such as Lightology, 2Modern, and Ylighting(Link to another website.).

These are just a small sampling of the many amazing Finnish designer gifts to consider this holiday season.  Stay tuned for more Finnish gift ideas that you can find in the US!