Wool socks are on, candles are lit, and the first box of chocolates is opened. We guess now is the time to finally admit it: the holiday season is approaching fast. To help you get into a festive frame of mind, we have opened our traditional Holiday Season Shop – step inside and get set for the season ahead!
HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SPEND THE FESTIVE SEASON? Do you plan to invite the entire family, enjoy quality time with loved ones, or take some well-deserved time for yourself? Are you most waiting for fun group activities or quiet moments by the candlelight?
Whether you revel in the hustle and bustle of large gatherings or enjoy leisurely days under a blanket, you'll find plenty of inspiration and ideas for the winter holiday season in Finnish Design Shop's dedicated Holiday Season Shop. With a stress-free season in mind, we've curated a variety of tips for gifting and your reading pleasure as well as a fine selection of festive ornaments, furniture, and more.
And be sure to keep your eyes peeled: we'll be adding more content and product tips each week.
Tingling with anticipation
A festive, wintery mood can be set in many different ways – one of the simplest tricks is to place candles here and there or create ambient lighting with dimmable lamps. Simply switching on a table lamp instead of the ceiling light works wonders for the ambiance! For soft lighting, it's a good idea to choose a warm bulb (2700 Kelvin).
Delve into the Design Stories archives to find more Christmas interior design tips from the likes of blogger Kasia Rutkowiak, stylist (and our columnist) Hanna-Katariina Mononen, and interior designer Maija Rasila. Or would you prefer to explore a Christmas home in Copenhagen, Denmark, or perhaps Oulu, Finland?
• Holiday decór >
• Read also: Pine scent and polished candles – how to prepare for winter festivities! >
Festivities start with foods
Do you rely on traditional dishes during the festive season, or do you like to try new recipes? Over the years, we've shared recipes for festive breakfasts, delicious desserts, and sheet pan pies – the latter are also known in our office as saviors of pre-Christmas parties!
Of course, you can also enjoy the festive season without being busy in the kitchen: a steaming cup of mulled wine and a bowl of your favorite chocolates sound just as delightful. In the Holiday Season Shop, you'll find a hand-picked selection of cups and carafes and pans and plates for all table settings, whether it's for one, two, or a whole group of people.
• Holiday table >
• Read also: Set up a more beautiful Christmas table without strict rules >
The most delightful decorations
November and December are full of exciting anticipation: setting up seasonal lights, digging out decorations from the basement, and contemplating what to gift your loved ones this year. Some might have already planned the entire holiday menu, while others are still wondering where they stashed their candles last spring.
A significant part of preparing for winter celebrations for many is the moment when the festive decorations are unearthed from the depths of the cabinets. However, these decorations don't necessarily have to scream Christmas or any other holiday – many of them can be used throughout the winter or even all year round. This winter, we're especially inspired by creative and modern ways to decorate your home for the celebrations: could baubles be arranged in a bowl instead of on the tree or casually hung on branches in a vase?
• Ornaments and decorative items >
• Read also: Flowers, hygge and a touch of brass – 7 home decor essentials for the holiday season >
Gift ideas galore
Is there anything better than seeing the smile on a friend or family member's face when they open your carefully chosen and thoughtfully wrapped gift? If you're feeling a bit lost when it comes to gift shopping, don't worry: we've done our best to make your gift-giving less stressful by compiling plenty of ideas for fans of clean-lined design, avid home chefs, and of course, the little ones. This year, it's also easier than ever to make sustainable and responsible choices while gift shopping, thanks to the sustainability ratings available in our online store.
Before heading out for gift shopping, be sure to check out the Design Stories archives: over the years, we've asked for gift suggestions from fashion designer Ervin Latimer, interior influencer Sofie Amalie Rolandsen, as well as art director and graphic designer Päivi Häikiö.
• Finnish Design Shop gift cards >
• Read also: Sweeten the holidays with homemade truffles and cookies >
See also:
• Shop the look >
• Holiday Season Shop >
Text: Emmi Ratilainen Images: Juho Huttunen, Suvi Kesäläinen and manufacturers