Five from Finland
Thoughtful Mother’s Day gifts from Finland – with purpose and style
Whether it's forest calm, joyful colour or a taste of tradition, these Finnish gifts offer more than beauty.
CompaniesFinnish Mother’s Day gifts combine lasting craftsmanship, considered design and a distinctly Nordic sensibility.
Like many nations, Finland marks Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May. But beyond the usual bouquets and breakfast in bed, the day also carries a deeper, nationally observed meaning.
Since 1946, the President of Finland has marked the occasion by awarding the First Class Medal with Gold Cross of the Order of the White Rose to a select group of mothers. The honour recognises women who have made exceptional contributions to parenting, family life and the wellbeing of their communities.
Aside from official recognition, families across Finland celebrate in more personal ways: handwritten cards, thoughtful gestures and quiet expressions of gratitude for mothers and maternal figures.
More than a date on the calendar, Mother’s Day offers a pause – a moment to reflect on the quiet, often unseen labour of care. And what better way than with something designed to last?
In Finland, finding gifts that honour maternal care is easy. Shaped by design heritage, rooted in nature and made to last, they offer thoughtful alternatives to the fleeting.
From bold textiles to forest-inspired skincare, these five creators offer meaningful ways to say thank you to the women who give so much.
- MARIMEKKO – TEXTILES THAT BRING COLOUR AND JOY
Marimekko’s iconic Unikko motif and joyful use of colour remain symbols of Finnish creative confidence.
MarimekkoFew names are as synonymous with Finnish design as Marimekko. Known for its iconic Unikko floral motif and joyful use of colour, the company offers everything from scarves to homeware, all with an unmistakably optimistic flair.
Marimekko prints over one million metres of fabric annually at its own Helsinki factory – a rare commitment to in-house production that ensures quality and a close connection between designers and makers.
“Marimekko is not about trendy fashion, with a few minor exceptions. We make lasting and timeless products,” founder Armi Ratia once explained. A belief that still guides the label’s spirit of continuity and joy.
⇒See how Marimekko’s bold prints continue to shape global design.
- IITTALA – GLASSWARE THAT HONOURS FINNISH DESIGN
Every Iittala Aalto vase is still mouth-blown in Finland – a quiet testament to enduring craftsmanship.
IitalaIittala, founded in 1881, has long stood for functional yet refined design. Their glassware – particularly the Aalto and Essence collections – brings a quiet sophistication to any home.
Every Aalto vase, originally designed in 1936, is still mouth-blown by skilled craftsmen in the same glassworks in the village of Iittala, maintaining an unbroken tradition that links each object to its origins.
Iittala’s design language blends precision with play, with a legacy shaped by curiosity and refined through craft.
“Experimental. Energetic. Curious. Bold. This is the Iittala universe we invite you to be a part of,” said Janni Vepsäläinen, the company’s creative director.
⇒Explore tableware and home accents that embody Nordic elegance.
- FAZER – BELOVED FINNISH CHOCOLATE WITH HERITAGE
Fazer’s Blue chocolate, unchanged since 1922, continues to sweeten Finnish tables.
FazerFor a sweeter gesture, Fazer offers a range of chocolates that are as familiar to Finns as the flag itself.
So much so that its Blue chocolate bar, unchanged since 1922, remains a closely guarded recipe. More recently, the company has expanded the appeal of its Blue brand into unexpected places – launching Blue chocolate-themed hoodies, sweatpants, bathrobes and slippers in collaboration with Finnish streetwear label Billebeino.
This playful pairing of taste and comfort reflects the brand’s evolving identity.
As Niklas Lindroos, senior marketing manager at Fazer Confectionery, explained, the collection reflects its embrace of “fearless creativity” – a value rooted in the legacy of company founder Karl Fazer, “a bold pioneer for whom the world was a source of ideas and inspiration.”
⇒Taste more of Finland's sweet treats.
- KALEVALA JEWELLERY – DESIGNS ROOTED IN MYTH AND MEANING
Kalevala’s jewellery is steeped in Nordic myth, crafted with care, and made to be passed on.
Kalevala JewelleryJewellery from Kalevala offers more than just aesthetic beauty – each piece carries symbolism drawn from Finnish mythology and history.
Indeed, Kalevala’s presence is so widespread that, as Lonely Planet puts it, “all Finns will recognise [it] from engagement, wedding, christening and birthday gifts.”
The company’s Helsinki workshop is one of the few in the world where design, casting, polishing and packaging all take place under one roof, allowing for complete oversight and authenticity.
To mark Mother’s Day, Kalevala has also curated a selection of flower jewellery for “mothers, grandmothers, and everyone for whom motherhood is a part of life.”
⇒Explore more Finnish jewellery brands weaving heritage into design.
- HETKINEN – NATURAL SKINCARE THAT CHANNELS FOREST CALM
Hetkinen distils the calm of the forest into sustainable skincare, packaged in pine and rooted in ritual.
HetkinenIf your mother appreciates natural wellness, Hetkinen is a quiet revelation.
Based in Turku, the brand creates skincare products using essential oils, Arctic herbs and tree extracts – all housed in pine wood packaging, with not a trace of plastic.
It’s a quietly radical model – sustainable, plastic-free, and rooted in forest thinking.
“Finns feel good in the forest,” said Mona Isotupa, founder of Hetkinen. “Not alone, not lost – the forest provides protection and peace. We want to share this feeling with all who use Hetkinen products.”
⇒See how Finnish beauty brands are redefining natural self-care.