The CEO of Nikari, Johanna Vuorio, found presents for friends and her godchild from the selection of the Finnish Design Shop. “Over the course of time, a design product may even become a valuable investment,” she says.
Johanna Vuorio, what was the best Christmas present that you ever got?
“I’ve received all kinds of heart-warming Christmas presents, but the most important one that comes to mind was a small kitten with seven toes that we saved from certain death one Christmas Eve. The kitten had been separated from her mother before time and I fed it with a pipette to begin with. The cat, which we called Jermu, became an important member of the family for us – to the bewilderment of our old dog.”
Where are you spending Christmas this year?
“For the first time in a good while, we’re travelling to our close relatives in Northern Ostrobothnia. It’s usually nicely snowy there and pretty dark around the clock, so the traditional Christmas atmosphere is guaranteed.”
Johanna Vuorio’s five Christmas gift picks:
1. For a friend
“I would give the Eskimo blanket from the Finnish brand Lapuan Kankurit for a dear friend who gets cold easily. The woolen blanket can be used in the middle of winter just as well as on cool summer evenings.”
“The blanket from Lapuan Kankurit can be used in the winter just as well as on cool summer evenings.”
2. For a godchild
“Kay Bojesen’s playful wooden elephant will enchant a godchild who loves animals, surely even when they’re grown up too!”
3. For the style-conscious
“The shoe care products of Tangent GC are a perfect present for those close ones who take care of their appearance. There’s surely use for the nifty and visually appealing set in the slush conditions of the winter.”
4. For a teenager
“For a child of mine who is decorating their own room, I’d like to give this December XL chair designed by Jasper Morrison and Wataru Kumano. It makes a nice reading chair, and because of its light structure it fits a smaller room too. Thanks to its timeless design, the chair can be taken with you to your own home, even after many years have passed.”
“The December XL chair fits a smaller room too because of its light structure.”
5. For myself
“I would like for myself as a present the Aakkoset art poster designed by Reeta Ek. I always just admire its beauty, colors and sense of balance.”
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Text: Mikko Vaija Images: Manufacturers and Finnish Design Shop