π Not going to Finland? No problem: the best shops with Finnish gifts and worldwide delivery
βοΈ When Finland is far away, but you want the smell of the forest and the sound of glass
There is a special category of people β perhaps you are among them β for whom Finland has long been a place of the imagination.
Not in the sense of "I'd like to go there someday," but as a strange, quiet beacon: forests, lakes, Moomins, saunas, glass, blankets, Fazer.
Sometimes the trip happens. Sometimes it gets postponed. Sometimes life gets so busy that the closest direct contact with Finland is a video on TikTok and open tabs for the Finnish Design Shop that live in your browser for months.
And this is where the question arises that many are reluctant to voice aloud:
"Is it possible to get a piece of Finland, even if I can't fly there yet? And without breaking the bank on shipping?"
The answer is yes.
Surprisingly, many authentic Finnish items can be honestly obtained by post:
mugs that people drink coffee from in Helsinki;
candles that shine just like they do in Finnish homes;
textiles that hang in kitchens in Espoo and Tampere;
chocolate that ordinary families buy to enjoy at home.
This article is not just a list of links.
It is a map: which shops are worth opening, how they differ, how not to overpay for delivery, and how to collect gifts so that the recipient feels as if the suitcase flew in directly from Helsinki.
β those who love Finland but are unable to travel there at the moment;
β expats and friends of expats who want to send a "piece of the North" home;
β for family and friends of Finland fans who are frantically Googling: "what to buy Finnish online?";
β for those who make their gift lists in advance and want to do it wisely.
π§ Three typical scenarios: who orders Finnish gifts online and why
To avoid getting lost in links, it's easier to first ask yourself honestly: "Who am I in this story?"
- "A fan of Finland who wants to live in 'little Helsinki'"
This person is looking for Finnish design, candles, textiles and posters. Atmosphere is important to them: they want their kitchen, bedroom and living room to say "I breathe the north". - "The practical gift-giver"
This is someone who wants to send their parents, friends, and colleagues gifts that are easy to understand: a blanket, a mug, chocolate, cosmetics. Nothing fancy, but something that the person will actually use. - "Obsessed with Moomins, rock music or hockey"
Here, Moomin mugs, merchandise from favourite bands, and posters with the northern lights come into play. The gift should strike right at the heart of fandom, not just be "another mug."
You can be all three in turn.
But who you are right now determines which shop to open first and what to spend your money on: blankets, glassware, Moomins or sweets.
π¦ Finnish Design Shop: "I want to live like I'm in Finnish Pinterest"
Finnish Design Shop is a portal to a world where everyone has perfectly matched chairs, blankets and candlesticks, and their homes look like they were photographed for a catalogue.
If someone says, "I want a little bit of Finland in my interior, but I don't know where to start," this is almost always the place to start.
It's important to understand that
β this is not a souvenir shop, but a showcase of authentic Scandinavian design;
β Iittala, Arabia, Marimekko and dozens of other Finnish and Nordic brands live here;
β you've seen many of these items on Reels and Pinterest β just without the caption.
A typical scenario:
you open the gift ideas section, initially intending to 'just browse', but twenty minutes later you're putting together a set: a candlestick, kitchen towels, a tiny vase, a mug. Because together they look like a picture you don't want to leave.
Who it suits:
those who want to invest in a couple of things, but for the long term β so that they are not "souvenirs" but items that will survive a dozen rearrangements and renovations.
Not for:
those who expect souvenir shop prices. This is design, not magnets.
If you're on a tight budget, don't buy a 6-person set, just 1β2 items: a candlestick, a bowl, a printed towel. They'll make you feel like you're living in a Finnish magazine, and they won't break the bank.
π§Έ Official Moomin Shop: for those who live in the Moomin universe
The official Moomin Shop has its own magic. Everything there is tailored to people for whom the Moomins are not just "cute characters" but part of their own inner geography.
If a person:
β quotes Moominmamma and Snufkin,
β knows the difference between the 2015 and 2024 mugs,
β buys up Moomin advent calendars in November β
then any other gifts will pale in comparison.
It's not just what to buy that matters here, but how the person will live with it afterwards:
morning coffee from a mug with their favourite character, a child falling asleep with a soft Moomin toy, the kitchen turning into a soft, warm picture from childhood.
Why go here and not to a random marketplace?
β here you will find originals,
β limited editions and seasonal collections,
β here, there is neat packaging that survives long journeys.
β Shops with food, cosmetics and "little joys"
Let's call this section: "Finland for those who love delicious and convenient food, not just beautiful food."
Here we have:
β Fazer and other Finnish sweets;
β Paulig coffee;
β Lumene cosmetics;
β small sets with the scent of forest, snow and lake.
Why they are good for online gifts:
β Lighter than glass;
β more understandable to most people than art objects;
β quickly used up β they don't clutter up the house
These are ideal gifts for people who say:
"I don't know what your interior design is like, but I know you love coffee, sweets and good care."
The following work well here:
chain stores with Finnish goods, large platforms such as Amazon, local online supermarkets, and international beauty retailers.
π§ Sauna and wellness: when you want to give the gift of a northern ritual
For Finns, the Finnish sauna is not something you do "once a year," but part of everyday life.
That's why online sauna gifts are not just "wow, I have a strange ladle," but an opportunity to give someone a little ritual of self-care.
In online shops, you can put together:
β a light set for those who only have a bathtub and candles: oils, salt, scrub, towels;
β a serious set for those who have a bathhouse/sauna: a ladle, a bucket, a thermometer, a hat, essential oils, seat cushions.
The main advantage of such gifts is that
they do not depend on the "interior style" and are suitable for fans of Finland and simply those who are tired and dream of a warm evening.
You live in a regular flat without a sauna. But you have a bathroom, candles and half an hour of silence.
A gift from Finland can turn this into a mini sauna ritual: oil, salt, a soft towel, a Scandinavian candle.
Few people talk about it openly, but it is gifts like these that really change someone's evenings.
π Now let's be honest: about delivery, customs duties and heavy glass
This is where we bring in an adult who can do maths.
Fact:
glass, ceramics and large blankets are heavy.
Delivery is calculated by weight.
Duties are calculated by value.
If you order:
β three large vases,
β four mugs,
β plus a blanket,
β and send it all overseas,
you may be very surprised by the amount in the "shipping & taxes" line.
Therefore, when you plan gifts from Finland online, it is important to think not only with your heart, but also with a calculator:
β glassware is beautiful, but it's better to buy a couple of accent pieces rather than a whole wedding set;
β textiles and cosmetics β lighter, cheaper, easier to clear customs;
β food is almost always okay, but there are restrictions on dairy and meat products.
And one more sobering point: sometimes two small orders are more profitable than one giant one.
Yes, it's a little more organisational hassle, but there's less chance that the parcel will be stopped at customs with unpleasant questions.
Where does the recipient live? The EU, UK, USA, and Asia all have their own limits.
What is the heaviest? Remove 1β2 glass items if the total weight increases significantly. Is there a chance it will break? If in doubt, replace it with textiles/cosmetics.
Do you need everything at once? Sometimes it makes more sense to split it into two parcels.
π How to put together the perfect "Finnish long-distance gift"
The secret is to combine emotion and practicality.
Make it so that the person is delighted, thinking, "Wow, this is so Finnish," and then actually uses it.
The formula is simple:
- One item with a strong Finnish character
A Moomin mug, an Iittala candle holder, a Marimekko towel, a poster from Helsinki. - One thing "for every day"
A blanket, Lumene cosmetics, a good towel, a set of candles. - One edible delight
Fazer chocolate, coffee, biscuits, berries.
So you make a gift that:
β looks beautiful in stories,
β reminds them of you every day
β and, most importantly, feels like a living piece of Finland, not a random collection of items from an online shopping basket.
π Tell us your story about Finnish parcels
If you have already ordered Finnish gifts online, your experience is more important than any theory:
β Which shop was the easiest to use?
β What arrived in perfect condition?
β What, on the contrary, surprised you (in a good or bad way)?
β Which set would you buy again, and which would you avoid?
Share this so that the next person who opens this article in the evening can not just "add to basket", but put together a truly meaningful gift.
β FAQ
If you haven't been to the country yet and are only guided by articles and pictures, the easiest way to start is with three categories: sweets, textiles and basic cosmetics.
Almost everyone loves chocolate and coffee, a beautiful towel or oven gloves will fit into any kitchen, and Lumene's light skincare products do not require a "special Finnish context". Later, when a person develops an attachment to brands and style, you can add glassware, collectible mugs and more expensive designs.
For design and interiors, there is almost no alternative to Finnish Design Shop.
It is a proven player that officially cooperates with Iittala, Marimekko, Arabia and dozens of other brands. If you see overly cheap "Marimekko" products in a shop without proper descriptions and logos, this is a reason to be wary. Official partners are usually listed on brand websites, which is a good filter.
Good shops have packaging designed specifically for this. Moomin Shop, Finnish Design Shop, and large retailers pack glass in several layers of cardboard, paper, and shock-absorbing inserts. Yes, there are isolated cases of defects and damage, but if the parcel arrives damaged, reputable shops will send a replacement or refund your money without any fuss. The main thing is to document everything immediately: take photos of the box, the packaging and the item itself.
Before paying for your basket, always look not only at the total amount, but also at its structure. If you see that shipping and taxes make up half of the order, it's a sign that you should rearrange your basket: remove one heavy vase, replace glass with textiles, split the order into two. And be sure to check the duty-free import limits for your country: sometimes a difference of β¬10-20 determines whether there will be additional payments or not.
It is best to buy online items that:
β does not spoil,
β does not need to be tried on,
β do not require personal selection in terms of colour/texture.
These include tableware, textiles, candles, sweets, and basic cosmetics. However, items that you want to touch, try on, smell, or see in person (large carpets, furniture, complex decor) are more comfortable to choose in person, in Finland β when the trip finally happens.
Yes, and this is one of the most heartwarming options.
You can put together a set: one item for the home, some food, some care products β and arrange for delivery directly to the recipient's address. Many shops offer gift wrapping and cards, and some even allow you to set the delivery date so that the parcel arrives in time for a holiday. As a result, the recipient gets not just a box of things, but a little northern scenario that can be unfolded in the evening.
In this case, neutral but recognisable items work well: white and blue textiles, simple candlesticks, plain blankets, minimalist mugs. You can avoid the brightest prints and stick to calm shades that rarely clash with someone else's interior. Another option is to go for food and cosmetics: Finnish sweets, coffee, and basic skincare products almost never look out of place.
If you or the recipient are collectors, then yes: limited edition Moomin collections or special colour series from Iittala have their own value and may even increase in price in the future. If the goal is simply to give a nice, heartfelt gift, there's no need to chase after limited editions: classic models outlive trends and are easier to incorporate into everyday life. Sometimes it is better to choose a familiar "timeless" colour than a rare shade that is difficult to match.
In theory, you can find many things in one place β especially if it's a universal online store for Finnish goods. In practice, ideal sets often come from a combination: design from the Finnish Design Shop, emotion from the Moomin Shop, sweets and coffee from Amazon or a local retailer. It takes a few more clicks, but the result is a gift that is more meaningful and honestly reflects Finland, rather than the range of one particular shop.
There's a simple test:
before paying for your order, ask yourself two questions:
- "Where will this live in the person's home?" β can you picture a specific shelf, kitchen, bathroom or favourite armchair?
"Will he/she still be using this in six months' time?"
If the honest answer to at least one question is "I don't know," then perhaps it is better to replace this item. Finnish gifts are good precisely because they can be calm, functional, and long-lasting. It is worth choosing them like the Finns do: without unnecessary fuss, but for the long term.
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