🦌 Gifts from Lapland and Rovaniemi: 15 ideas without kitsch and cultural faux pas

🌌 Lapland without plastic Santa: where to start

Lapland has a heavy legacy:
in videos and on postcards, it looks like an endless fair of Santas, gnomes, northern lights and reindeer antlers.

In reality, it's more complicated:

● Lapland is home to Sámi culture, not just "Santa's country";

● it's easy to buy factory-made "Sámi style" kitsch alongside authentic crafts;

● Rovaniemi is full of souvenirs that Finns themselves would never buy.

And so you walk around Rovaniemi or Santa Claus Village, looking at shop windows with:

● reindeer,

● knives,

● kuksa,

● horn bracelets,

● glass snowflakes,

and you think:

What is real here?
What is just marketing for tourists?
And what can I give as a gift without feeling like a cultural failure?"

This text is intended to lay everything out clearly:

● briefly describe what makes Lapland and Sami culture special;

● provide a list of 15 authentic gifts, rather than just "here are 100 souvenir options";

● explain how to distinguish real craftsmanship from cheap copies;

● to be honest about what is better to buy in Helsinki rather than in Lapland.

And along the way, we'll refer to our anti-guide to bad souvenirs, where we've already discussed lacquered kuksa, pseudo-Sami style, and plastic Santa reindeer.

🧿 Lapland and Sámi culture: context that is important to consider

Lapland is not just a region on the map, but part of the wider Sápmi region: the territory historically inhabited by the Sámi people (in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia).

This is hardly noticeable in the souvenir shops of Rovaniemi, where

● "Lapland™" with gnomes and the Santa brand;

● reindeer ears on headbands;

● and "northern lights in a bottle" sets.

But parallel to this, there is another layer:

● Sami duodji — traditional crafts made from antler, wood, leather, and silver;

● local workshops and cooperatives where knives, jewellery and textiles are made;

● real Lapland goods — berries, herbs, wool, reindeer skin and wood products.

A good gift from Lapland:

● respects this context;

● does not play on "Sami" fakes;

● and remains a useful item, not just a "souvenir of the trip".

🎁 15 authentic gifts from Lapland and Rovaniemi

This list does not claim to be exhaustive.
These are 15 ideas that constantly pop up in Lapland guides, on VisitRovaniemi, in blogs and reviews of Rovaniemi souvenirs — and at the same time do not turn into kitsch.

Each gift has a short note about "who it's for" and "what occasion it's for".

1. A real kuksa made from birch bark

What it is: a traditional northern mug carved from birch bark. Slightly asymmetrical, with a matte surface and warm texture.

Important:
a real kuksa is heavy, unvarnished, and signed by the craftsman. Cheap "tourist" versions break, crack, and smell like varnish — we wrote about this in detail in our anti-guide to souvenirs.

● For whom: lovers of hiking, coffee by the campfire, and Scandinavian aesthetics.

● Occasion: a trip to Lapland, a serious gift, a "souvenir of the North".

2. Puukko — northern knife

What it is: a traditional Finnish knife with a straight blade and a handle made of birch, antler or a combination of both. In Rovaniemi, there are Marttiini shops and other workshops where puukko knives are made as working tools rather than souvenirs.

● For whom: those who love hiking, fishing, handicrafts, bushcraft.

● Occasion: a serious gift, birthday, anniversary, "adult" souvenir.

💬 Important: a puukko is a knife, so you need to follow the transport regulations and laws of the country you are taking it to. Do not put it in your hand luggage and check local restrictions.

3. Sámi duodji — authentic Sámi handicrafts

What it is: crafts made using traditional materials and designs: reindeer skin bracelets with pewter embroidery, belts, handbags, silver jewellery, wooden and horn products.

Signs of authenticity:

● the signature of the craftsman or the name of the workshop;

● clear origin of materials;

● reasonable (not low) price;

● often — the Sámi Duodji mark.

● For whom: craft connoisseurs, those who are sensitive to ethics and culture.

● Occasion: a special gift, anniversary, wedding, "very personal souvenir".

4. Reindeer leather products (gloves, bracelets, small accessories)

What it is: soft, warm leather used to make gloves, bracelets, wallets, and small bags. In good shops in Rovaniemi, this is a distinctly local product.

● For whom: those who are comfortable with leather and fur; lovers of tactile items.

● Occasion: winter gifts, birthdays, thank you gifts.

⚖️ If animal welfare is important to you, it's better to go for wool, berries and ceramics — Lapland makes great gifts even without leather.

5. Reindeer skins (as rugs/blankets) — with a caveat

What it is: tanned reindeer skin used as a rug, blanket or decorative element. In Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village, this is one of the most advertised souvenirs.

● For whom: very close friends and family who are sure to appreciate it morally and aesthetically.

● Occasion: a new home, a fireplace, a "big" gift.

❗ Before buying, check the origin and documents: in some countries, you need paperwork to import animal products.

6. Arctic jewellery: silver, wood, antler, spectrolite

What it is: jewellery inspired by the north: motifs of the northern lights, snow, reindeer, mountains, made of silver, wood, horn, sometimes with semi-precious stones such as Finnish spectrolite.

● For whom: those who love jewellery with a history, not just "bling".

● Occasion: anniversaries, important dates, romantic gifts.

7. Lapland superfoods: berries and herbs of the North

What it is: dried blueberries, lingonberries, cloudberries, herbal mixtures, teas, syrups. VisitRovaniemi singles out berry products as one of the best souvenirs: they are light, have a long shelf life and are very "northern".

● For whom: those who love healthy stories, cooking, and breakfasts "like in Finland".

● Reason: any reason, from "thank you for visiting" to "here's a northern breakfast for you."

8. Coffee roasts or teas with a Lapland theme

What it is: local roasts or blends dedicated to the Arctic: mentioning Lapland, the Arctic Circle, aurora, Rovaniemi. There are more and more of them in Rovaniemi — local guides and cafes write about this.

● For whom: coffee lovers, those who love "stories from a cup".

● Reason: a universal gift, an addition to any set.

9. Tar products: soap, candles, lollipops

What it is: a specific but beloved aroma in Finland — the smell of tar, associated with saunas, wood, and bonfires. In blogs about Finnish souvenirs, tar soap/shampoos and candies are consistently among the top ideas.

● For whom: lovers of unusual scents and everything related to the sauna.

● Reason: a gift for people who already know something about Finland or love to experiment.

10. Wool socks, mittens, slippers with northern motifs

What it is: woolen products with subtle patterns, deer, snowflakes, and geometric designs. Many shops in Lapland and TripAdvisor praise them separately as "really useful souvenirs."

● For whom: anyone who lives in a climate with cold autumns/winters.

● Reason: almost any: from a "small" gift to part of a large set.

11. Lapland wooden toys and kitchen utensils

What it is: wooden spoons, spatulas, cutting boards, toys made from local wood, often handmade. Tourist guides in Rovaniemi and Lapland highlight them as a more durable alternative to plastic souvenirs.

● For whom: families, lovers of natural materials.

● Occasion: housewarming, gifts for children, "something for the kitchen".

12. Small glass items with a northern theme

What it is: not delicate snow globes, but compact glass candle holders/figures inspired by ice and the northern sky. Both Iittala and local glassware are sold in Rovaniemi, sometimes in limited editions for Lapland.

● For whom: design and glass enthusiasts.

● Occasion: more "mature" gifts, anniversaries, jubilees.

⚠️ Fragile items should only be carried in your hand luggage and packed in soft packaging. It is better not to risk checking them in.

13. Prints and photos of the northern lights and Lapland landscapes

What it is: works by local photographers and artists: aurora, forest, rivers, tundra. Eternal Arrival and other travel blogs separately note that many people want to "take home" the northern lights in some form.

● For whom: visual people, those who appreciate art and wall decorations.

● Reason: any "home" occasion: a new flat, office, or souvenir gift.

14. Things from Santa Claus Village, but with a filter

What it is: Santa's village has many shops with "classic" souvenirs, but there are also useful items: high-quality soft toys, certified Arctic Circle souvenirs, Marttiini knives and products, and local handmade items.

● For whom: families with children, "eternal children," Santa fans.

● Reason: family holidays, "we visited Santa, here's the proof".

The goal is not to buy everything in sight, but to choose items that will survive the journey home and your child's growing years.

15. Lapland breakfast box

What it is: a set you put together yourself: berries (jam/dried), good bread/crispbread, coffee/tea, a little something sweet. Guides in Rovaniemi and Finland often recommend these "food sets" because they are both authentic and practical.

● For whom: families, parents, friends, colleagues.

● Occasion: any warm occasion — from a housewarming to "thank you for taking me in".

🧵 How to distinguish real Arctic crafts from tourist kitsch

Now for the most important part.
Even in Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village, you can buy both beautiful things and pure mass-produced goods.

Here is a quick "filter".

1. Look at the signature and origin

● Genuine duodji, kuksa, and knives almost always bear the signature of the craftsman or the name of the workshop.

● The label should clearly indicate where it was made — not just "Lapland," but the country as well.

If it says "Lapland souvenir", "Sámi style", "inspired" etc. without any further information, it is most likely kitsch.

2. Price as an indicator

Genuine handicrafts cannot cost the same as a key ring.

● An original kuksa, a serious bracelet or knife costs a lot;

● A "Sámi-style" bracelet for €10–15 and a knife for €20 are almost certainly factory-made.

3. Design: restraint versus "fairground"

Lapland has two aesthetics:

● real — restrained, natural, based on materials;

● tourist — "the more reindeer, snow and glitter, the better".

If something looks like it was designed specifically for the Instagram filter "Lapland!!!", you should be wary.

4. Where do you buy it?

You're more likely to find good stuff at:

● in craft workshops, cooperatives, museum shops;
● in shops where the salespeople can tell you the story behind the product.

Less likely to find good items: in "mass-market" souvenir shops near tourist bus parking lots.

🏙 Things that are easier and cheaper to buy in Helsinki than in Lapland

Sometimes it's better not to be a hero and admit honestly that there's no point in bringing certain things back from Lapland.

1. Major Finnish design brands (Marimekko, Iittala, Arabia)

Yes, these brands are available in Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village.

But:

● the selection in Helsinki, Turku, Tampere or Espoo is usually wider;

● sometimes the prices/promotions are more attractive;

● it is logistically more convenient to shop at the end of your trip rather than in the middle of a winter marathon.

The logic:
in Lapland, buy what comes from there;
in Helsinki, there is a wide range of national designs.

2. Chocolate, coffee, basic products

Fazer and Finnish coffee are sold everywhere, but:

● supermarkets in the south (Hakaniemi, Old Market Hall, Prisma, K‑Citymarket, etc.) often offer more choice and better prices;

● there is no point in overpaying in the most touristy places.

It's easier to buy food in the last city before departure — we discuss this in the guide to budget gifts and the guide to last-minute purchases at the airport.

3. Versatile items for everyday use

Hoodies, basic textiles, simple decor that is not tied to Lapland in any way are more logical:

● choose them in large shops in Helsinki;

● and leave Lapland for things you can't buy anywhere else: duodji, kuksa, puukko, local berries.

📋 Quick checklist before checking out in Lapland

Is it really Lapland, and not just "Lapland™" on the label?

Do I understand who made it and what it's made of?

Will this item survive a suitcase and a couple of moves?

Am I comfortable with the ethical side of things (leather, horn, fur)?

Can I imagine how someone will use this in a year's time?

If you can honestly answer "yes" to at least four of these questions, go for it.
If something inside you says "something's not right," it's better to go back to the list of 15 ideas and choose another one.