15 Perfect Gifts For People Obsessed With Finland

Salmiakki in a Marimekko glass - two Finnish gifts in one!
Salmiakki in a Marimekko glass - two Finnish gifts in one! | © Visit Finland
Jessica Wood

If somebody you know is obsessed with all things Finnish, there are plenty of attractive and useful gifts you can buy them from Finland, and even from some specialist online shops for Finnish items. These are some of the most popular gifts for people who love Finland, and some lesser-known goodies which will make any Finland fan happy.

Loved by over 40s

Limited edition Moomin tableware

Anybody who loves Finland more than likely loves the Moomins too, and you can find Moomin merchandise everywhere in Finland from high-end jewellery boutiques to small grocery stores. For something truly special, buy your friend the limited edition Moomin Arabia plates, mugs, or bowls – there are new designs every year. The mug shaped like the Moomin house with a removable roof is especially charming.

Moomin Arabia items at the Stockmann department store, Helsinki.

Iittala glassware

To make a home feel Finnish, buy some Iittala glassware, since practically every home in Finland has at least one Iittala item. Candle holders made from coloured glass are especially popular, as are the pretty and refined Toikka glass birds.

Iittala candle holders from the Iittala Shop, Helsinki

Marimekko bag

The Marimekko brand screams Nordic efficiency. The patterns are bold and colourful yet simple and tasteful. Marimekko clothing can be expensive but you can buy someone a nice gift by picking up a bag, purse, or even an apron in striking floral patterns.

Collection of Marimekko items.

Hand knitted sweater

To feel as cosy as Finns do during the winter, buy a hand knitted poncho or sweater with a colourful design. You can find these in most city’s artisan districts. They are especially common further up north in Lapland, where you can also find comfy handmade boots, socks, and hats which can keep you warm all winter long.

Buy some comfy hand knitted sweaters in Finland

Tom of Finland coffee

The Tom of Finland brand is popular worldwide for its kitsch value and unabashed homoeroticism. You can find the artwork on everything from postcards to oven mitts in Finland. But the most oddly appealing of all is the official Tom of Finland brand coffee, which you can find in most large supermarkets in Finland. The coffee is rich, strong, and bold, much like Tom of Finland himself.

Display of Tom of Finland coffee in a Finnish grocery store.

Jewellery from Taito shop

Finnish efficiency extends to jewellery too. The jewellery found in Taito shops is beautiful, uncomplicated, and is all hand crafted by local artisans. Most Taito shops will also offer to gift wrap jewellery for you.

Reindeer skin gloves

Thick gloves lined with reindeer skin are expensive, over €50 each, but essential for preventing frostbite during the cold Finnish winters. While most other countries may not have winters quite as cold, the gloves can still keep your hands cosy. Sales of reindeer skin clothing also help to support the reindeer farmers of Lapland.

Reflectors

Walking around Finland during the winter, you will see that everybody has a reflector on their bag or coat to help them stand out to vehicles in the dark Finnish conditions. These reflectors come in all sorts of pleasing designs and with popular Finnish characters such as the Moomins or Angry Birds. Buying one for a friend means they can wear a common Finnish staple and stay safe during winter at the same time.

Keychain

Salmiakki chocolate

Salmiakki, or salted liquorice, is only for those who are truly obsessed with Finland and who can handle the odd Finnish tastes. For something particularly distinct, look out for salmiakki covered in smooth Fazer chocolate. Just be careful trying it yourself!

Salmiakki chocolate

Finlandia vodka

For those who prefer alcohol as a souvenir, a big bottle of Finlandia vodka is perfect. It comes in many flavours including lime, coconut, and mango plus the plain classic vodka. Be wary, however, as it is almost 40 percent alcohol.

A bottle of Finlandia vodka.

Canned reindeer meat

To people outside of Finland it may seem sadistic to eat reindeer meat, yet it is a staple in Finland and even eaten as Christmas dinner in Lapland. For a friend who likes trying unusual food, pick out some canned reindeer meat, which can even be found in regular supermarkets in small villages. You can also find meat of moose, wild boar, elk, and bear which can be cooked in a variety of ways. Fancy some bear pie, moose stew, or a wild boar sandwich?

A tin of reindeer meat. Try it on a sandwich.

Sauna essential oils

The use of essential oils has gained some controversy online lately, yet they are still popular in Finland for use in sauna aromatherapy. You simply add a few drops of the oil into the sauna water, throw it on the coals, and the whole sauna is filled with the aroma. Finnish sauna oils come in unusual variants including salmiakki. If your friend doesn’t have a sauna then the oils can be used in a diffuser like regular essential oils (just don’t try using them as medicine!).

Fiskars kitchen essentials

For the person who likes practical gifts, anything from Fiskar will make them happy. The Finnish Fiskar brand are best known for their iconic orange-handled scissors, but they also make a range of kitchen products such as knives, cheese graters, and potato peelers, often with the classic orange handles. Fiskars products are incredibly high quality and will likely last for years.

Collection of Fiskars scissors

Reindeer antler bottle opener

If you want a reindeer souvenir but don’t like the thought of reindeer being killed to make gifts, look out for stalls selling reindeer antler bottle openers. Reindeer shed their antlers every year so their owners collect them, attach bottle openers to the end, and sell them to earn additional income. They also look fun and quirky hanging in the kitchen or being used to open a beer.

Heavy metal band merch

For Finnish heavy metal band merchandise which can’t be found anywhere else, head straight to the source. You can find merch for Finnish heavy metal bands including t-shirts, badges, and posters in record stores or at concerts. For more specific items, look out for specialist stores such as the dark metal store KVLT in Helsinki.

culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.