Is your trip coming to an end, but you still haven't bought any souvenirs? I suggest you leave the magnets alone and look for something truly Estonian. You may have already heard about bear preserves and garlic chocolates — we have even more unusual things here! But these "shock items" are not the first choice of gifts for locals. Let me tell you what Tallinners themselves give their foreign friends as gifts.
Joik candle
Joik is the most popular brand of Estonian natural cosmetics. It was founded by female entrepreneur Evi-Maria Yoonapuu. The range has long included creams, bath salts, and decorative cosmetics. But nothing is as closely associated with the company as its very first and most successful product — aromatic candles made from organic wax.
Around Christmas, you can find scents of piparkook (local Christmas cookies), pine forest, hot chocolate, and spicy cranberry on store shelves. You can purchase your Joik candle at Selver, Prisma, and Rimi stores, as well as Kaubamaja Ilumaailm and Tali.
Kalev candies
Kalev products are timeless classics! It seems that the candies named after Kalev, the main hero of our national epic, have surpassed him in popularity. There is something for every taste: bars, toffee, marmalade, truffles, lollipops, and much more!
My favorites include white chocolate with blueberries, Drako dark chocolate candies with cherry pieces, marzipan figures, and Tiina marmalade. All of these and more can be found in absolutely any grocery store in the country. Brand stores offer luxury products such as truffles and handmade marzipan figures. Incidentally, you can also find them in the city's oldest café, Maiasmokk (The Sweet Tooth). During the Christmas season, be sure to try piparkook or gingerbread cookies, our traditional holiday treat.
Merch from Sipsik
Who is Sipik and where does he get his merchandise? Meet our favorite fairy tale and cartoon character. "Karapuz" was created by Estonian writer Eno Raud back in the 1960s, but neither the stories, nor the theatrical productions, nor the numerous cartoons have lost their popularity to this day. In schools and kindergartens, children draw pictures and make crafts inspired by the world of these characters.
The book about Sipsik has been translated into many languages, including English, Belarusian, Russian, Polish, Finnish, Lithuanian, German, and others. You can purchase stories in Estonian, English, and Russian at the Rahva Raamat bookstore. The toy is available at children's stores such as Jukukeskus, XL Mänguasjad, Karupoeg Puhh, Rahva Raamat, or any large supermarket such as Rimi or Prisma. While walking around the city, you will undoubtedly encounter something related to this charming character.
Old Tallinn
Surprisingly, many visitors from the post-Soviet space have heard of the local liqueur "Old Tallinn" or Vana Tallinn. Since then, the product range has expanded significantly and is no longer limited to the classic 40-proof original. In grocery stores, you will find many "light" 16-proof versions. These include liqueurs with flavors such as toffee and caramel, tiramisu, ice cream, coconut, and marzipan — all of which are our answer to Irish Baileys. By the way, these drinks are great added to coffee or ice cream. During the Christmas season, I recommend trying "glögg" or mulled wine from Vana Tallinn.
Alternative: New players have recently appeared on the scene. For example, Nudist, a local alcohol brand, specializes in wines made from products grown in Estonia. Their range includes wines with flavors such as rhubarb, strawberry, and raspberry. Similar flavors and non-alcoholic options are offered by Mull (translated as "bubble"). And the undisputed favorite in the world of craft beer is Põhjala.
Designer souvenirs from the Oma Asi store
In the shop Oma Asi (translated as "your thing") sells works by Estonian designers, many of which are very affordable. Here you will find posters, fun socks, shopping bags, mugs, and lots of jewelry. I especially love choosing earrings for my friends here — from whimsical to elegant. The address is Viru 21, 10148 Tallinn or Saiakang 4, 10146 Tallinn. You can see a sample of the assortment in the main photo.
Yuri Kuuskemaa's book "Legends and Tales of Old Tallinn"
Tallinn is a city of myths and legends! This book is the perfect gift for fans of Old Tallinn and those who are nostalgic for it. The author is art historian and chief historian of our city, Jüri Kuuskemaa. You can purchase your copy in Russian or English at the Rahva Raamat bookstore. Rahva Raamat in the Viru Keskus shopping center.
Socks from Sokisahtel
Recently, it has become particularly popular to wear bright and original socks. At Sokisahtel, or the country's main "sock drawer" (which is how the name translates), you will find a wide variety of options at affordable prices. I'm sure your friends don't have a pair with Tallinn's Town Hall Square, national patterns, herring, or just cool Estonian phrases. You can find your "pair" at the Sokisahtel store in the Ülesmiste, Nautica, or Foorum Keskus shopping centers.
Scarf from Alpaka
Alpaka is an Estonian luxury brand that produces clothing from responsibly sourced alpaca wool. You can learn more about this co-production between the Peruvian Andes and Estonia on website or in the store in the Viru Keskus shopping center. I was particularly impressed by the elegance and high quality of the scarves — it's impossible to resist such a gift.
Ceramic mug from NUUNUU RUUM
Located in the Old Town, the NUUNUU RUUM ceramics studio is a must-visit. In addition to inspiration, you will find many original handmade items: vases, plates, even glasses, and, of course, mugs. By the way, you can also sign up for a master class and make your own mug in the heart of Old Tallinn. Address: Müürivahe Tänav 28-3, 10148 Tallinn, and for more details, visit Instagram.
Christmas market
Every year at the beginning of December, for more than 580 years in a row, a Christmas tree has been decorated and a Christmas market has been set up on Town Hall Square. Incidentally, in 2021, Tallinn's holiday market was recognized as the best in Europe. Here you can not only enjoy aromatic glögg and hot traditional food, but also buy souvenirs. Since 2020, there have been fewer plastic trinkets from China on the shelves and more high-quality local goods.
For example, warm woolen socks carefully knitted by Estonian craftswomen, which will definitely save you from the northern winter. Or, for example, Christmas tree decorations in the form of figurines in traditional costumes — these are my favorite! You won't be able to get a good deal here — after all, it is a tourist mecca — but it would be simply indecent not to come here during the holiday season.
The best Christmas markets in the world are described in this article. And here here you will find not only a list of places with holiday markets, but also impressions of some of them.
