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The Nordic country of Finland might not be directly on the tourist trail, but in terms of culture, food, geography, and modern design, the nation certainly has more than enough to attract visitors. If you’re one of the lucky ones to visit, chances are you’ll spend time browsing great home goods stores, pampering yourself in the country’s many saunas, and sampling amazing cuisine. Although you can do some shopping for yourself (who can resist), you probably also want to bring a little piece of the country to your friends and family. Below we’ve rounded up the best gifts to bring from Finland, from what is arguably the best chocolate in the world, to an iconic Modernist vase that can be passed down for generations.
Our best picks
01
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Marimekko Notebooks
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Since 1951, the Finn Marimekko has been striking with bold, modern prints that translate beautifully into fashion: the architectural forms of the designer house’s dresses were a hit in the 1960s and are still sold today, as well as accessories. affordable home towels, tablecloths and pillows. You’ll probably recognize its lively Unikko pattern, designed in 1964 in rebellion against the company-wide ban on floral prints, featuring bright floral prints in classic as well as seasonal limited-edition combinations.
While the bedding, arguably one of the company’s strongest suits, is beautiful, it’s hard to get it back from a trip. For something a little easier to pack, the brand also makes a line of stationery that incorporates some of its most famous designs on laptop covers and playful pencils that make writing tasks and shopping lists a lot less. A homework. We love this set of three notebooks, each of which features an iconic pattern different from that of the design house.
02
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make chocolate
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Finns love their sweets, and Fazer is a favorite brand for a little chocolate refill. Although they are available online, they are extremely rare in the US, so the recipient of your gift may not have found them yet, unless they are the most dedicated chocolate connoisseurs. Falzer also knows what they are doing; The company has been in business since 1891, and their perfect recipe for milk chocolate produces a creamy, smooth, and silky chocolate that doesn’t taste as sugary as some American brands. Those who taste things say it is the best chocolate they have ever had, and we are talking about all the chocolate in the world, so if your lucky gift is a fan of sweet things, they will definitely love this one. Split the two bars (we won’t tell you if you save one for yourself),
03
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Salmiakki
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Finnish sweet tooths aren’t too stuck on the “sweet” part of things. One of the country’s most popular delicacies is salmiakki, or salty licorice, and this handy container is perfect for snacking on the go. The unique flavor of caramel – licorice with enough salt to make up for the sweetness – also comes with a unique mouthfeel, as foodies call it.
If the caramel shape isn’t right for your adventurous recipient, the same flavor can also be found in spirits and craft beers from the country’s breweries. Whether your recipients end up hating this unique flavor or loving it, and as with Marmite, it will definitely be one or the other, it will definitely be a fun gift to remember, with a great story behind it.
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Moomin Mug
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Moomins are one of Finland’s most iconic cultural exports. The series emerged in 1945, thanks to the talented illustrator Tove Jansson, who depicted a fictional Moomin Valley with a variety of charming characters with whimsical names like Snorkmaiden, The Groke, and Toffle. Today, the stories continue to be passed down from generation to generation, both on screen and in books, and Moomin’s characters continue to be popular with children and adults alike.
The mugs are especially popular to pay tribute to the brand, with the classics always in demand and the seasonal designs making excellent collectibles. Released in 1996 and loved for decades, this porcelain design from Tove Slotte-Elevant features Snorkmaiden and Moomintroll hugs. It is a pleasant time and a joyous way to start the day. If that’s not exactly what you’re looking for, there are plenty of other designs as well, including this beautiful Japanese-influenced monogram mug from Yamaka.
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Jarrón Iittala Aalto Finlandia
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Iittala is one of the most recognizable homeware brands in the Nordic region, with a proud history of making modern tableware and design-driven objects such as vases and art objects. The brand sells everything from cast iron casseroles to champagne flutes, but a vase (perhaps filled with fresh flowers) is always a good gift.
The company’s Aalto vases, made since 1936, are icons of modern design and are inspired by waves (the translation of the Finnish “aalto”). We love the moss green glass vase above, though there are other beautiful color options too, from a matte white glass for super modern homes to a vibrant red that is guaranteed to make a statement.
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Lumene Sisu Moisturizing Remedy Day and Night Cream
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Housed in a TSA-compliant 1.7-ounce jar, Lumene’s Sisu Moisturizing Remedy Cream is a wonderfully restorative skincare treatment to bring home those addicted to the product on your list. The cream is specifically designed for city dwellers, whose skin is exposed to unpleasant urban factors such as exhaust. Lumene uses its Nordic credentials, one of Finland’s best skincare brands, and incorporates specific regional ingredients to combat the side effects of air pollution and free radicals in the city. The bark of Nordic pine from the Finnish forests and spruce knot, for example, are packed with antioxidants, and they have put this formula to work to help protect your skin. Anti-pollution technology formulated in Lumene laboratories helps to really finish protecting the skin. Priced at under $ 20, this gift is incredibly good value,
07
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Cranberry jam from Dronningholm
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Blackberries, as their name sounds slightly magical implies, are loved by the Finns and are among the most valuable berries in the country. They’re beautiful (they start to turn red and get paler as they ripen) and highly nutritious – a berry has more vitamin C than an orange, and it has omega-3s and -6s to boot. The effort of harvesting them, of course, there is only one berry per stem, it wouldn’t be worth it unless they were really delicious, and trust us, they are. Interestingly, they also contain a certain type of acid that allows the crushed berries to preserve in their own juice, making them ideal for jams like this one. Food lovers can mix jam made from these berries with some plain yogurt, use it to top cakes or sweet breads for breakfast, or combine it with a little leipäjuusto or “squeaky cheese.” The Finns say that the taste of summer berries is a boost during dark Scandinavian winters, and we don’t disagree.
08
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Rento Eucalyptus shower gel
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Rento is one of the best providers of sauna products in Finland, and that’s a big problem in Finland, where there are almost two million saunas for 5.3 million residents (even large companies have their own saunas). Sadly, while you can’t exactly bring a real sauna with you, and it’s a bit impractical to buy sauna aromatherapy without one, Rento’s Eucalyptus Shower Gel will do the trick. It is especially good to give in winter thanks to its aroma; If the recipient of your gift is prone to colds and winter coughs, wearing this in the shower with some hot water will be a treat to open the nasal passage. The soft foam product is made to be eco-friendly and biodegradable, so you don’t have to worry about the environment with this purchase.
