Jaunted

The must-see streets for design-hungry visitors are the two Esplanades, South (Eteläesplanadi) and North (Pohjoisesplanadi) and the immediate area close to them. For gifts that are easy to pack and travel with, you will want to visit the brand shops of Marimekko for its colourful fabrics and bags, and Aarikka for its wood jewellery and adorable Christmas decorations.

Posti's "Himmeli"-pattern tableware

Also in this area, is the Iittala shop that sells not just Iittala glassware but also Arabia tableware. The season’s new pattern for the Kaj Frank-designed (1952) tableware comes from Spain-based Finnish designer Pietari Posti, who has named his pattern Himmeli, the Finnish word for a traditional Christmastime decorative hanging mobile made of straw.

For more designer gifts, you will want to visit the Design Forum Shop at Erottajankatu 7, a short walking distance from the Esplanades. Here you will find products by more than 200 designers, in a tightly edited collection that changes constantly.

Tram Number 6

If you have time to venture off the downtown core, take the Number 6 tram to the end of the line (it will take about 20 minutes from downtown) to the Helsinki neighborhood called Arabia (yes, we know it’s funny) and you will find the fabulous Arabia Center Factory Outlet at Hämeentie 135. It has shops for Arabia, Iittala and Opa kitchen and tableware, plus Finlayson and Pentik fabrics. See? A little extra travel to find the best holiday bargains; you've come all the way to Helsinki already, why not head to the outlets as well?

[Photos: The City of Helsinki, Marimekko, Aarikka, Pietari Posti]

Related Stories:
· Christmas Markets are a Solid Reason to Brave the Cold in Helsinki [Jaunted]