Annaleena Hämäläinen, Creative Director of Hakola and a Christmas person, looks forward to the upcoming festive season. She chose beautiful, contemporary gifts from Finnish Design Shop for her family and friends.
What are you looking forward to this Christmas?
“I'm a Christmas person. I love preparing for Christmas, especially now when we have children. I look forward to unwinding and spending time with my family and close relatives. I'll probably spend Christmas in Ostrobothnia with my parents, where we'll be joined by my sister and her family. My parents make all their Christmas food from scratch.”
Which Christmas do you particularly remember?
“We spent a Christmas in Luosto, Lapland, when I was little. That was a particularly memorable Christmas because the real Santa Claus dropped by – accompanied by reindeer.”
Annaleena Hämäläinen's 5 Christmas gift picks:
1. For my mother
“There is always a need for watertight, indoor plant pots. Artek's linen-colored Riihitie plant pot is genuinely beautiful and timeless.”
• Artek's Riihitie plant pot >
2. For my sister
“Vacuum jugs are often ugly, and I know that my sister's family values beautiful objects – so my choice is a forest green classic by Stelton. The EM77 vacuum jug is great for bigger parties.”
3. For my husband
“I'll choose a traditional alarm clock for my husband. Since he doesn't want a cellphone in the bedroom, the elegant AJ Station alarm clock by Arne Jacobsen is a must-have gift.”
• Arne Jacobsen's AJ Station alarm clock >
4. For my parents
“The Mauste salt & pepper set designed by Sami Ruotsalainen is so attractive that you can keep it out at all times. This Marimekko set makes a great gift, because it can be used in several ways, as needed.”
• Marimekko's Oiva Mauste sal & pepper set >
5. For a friend
“To my plant-loving friend, I would give the Riippu Garden shelf by Hakola, which is handy for displaying kitchen herbs. Designed by Samuli Helavuo, the shelf fits most homes and can be installed in a variety of places – the perfect Christmas gift for lovers of green decor!”
• Hakola's Riippu Garden shelf >