There is an unexpectedly magical place in the Pukinmäki district. It is Villa Weiste, the home of Christmas tree decoration manufacturer Kalle Weiste, the man who introduced Finns to the comfort of Christmas at home. Kalle was born in 1881.
Kalle was born in 1881. In the early 1920s, he sold paper and paper products in a shop in the center of Helsinki. Kalle loved to experiment and in 1923, he brought a strange novelty from abroad - paper stars for Christmas trees. Mr. Veiste was afraid that due to the difficult economic situation in the country, the stars would not sell, because people would rather spend money on Christmas food than on seasonal decorations. But his fears were not justified, all the stars, except for one, were sold.
After that, everything was like in a fog. Kalle realized that there was a demand, so he had to create a supply. And he built a factory in Helsinki for the production of Christmas tree decorations. This factory still operates in the building next to Kalle's house, and the old house itself is now a shop.
Some of the products in the range are made in Helsinki, some in Estonia. The company's website states that there are suppliers in other countries, but it does not specify where exactly.
The villa-shop has several rooms, the decorations are arranged by color. Old fireplaces and a stove are used as stands, they are not idle in vain. Even a little Christmas fan like me could not leave the shop without buying something.
The villa-shop has several rooms, the decorations are arranged by color. Old fireplaces and a stove are used as stands, they are not idle in vain. Even a little Christmas fan like me could not leave the shop without buying something.
The villa is located on Kalle Weiste Street, which means it is worth paying attention to. No matter who the streets are named after.
Address: Kalle Weisteen katu 4, Helsinki
Opening hours:
Tuesday and Wednesday: 10-17:30
Thursday and Friday : 10-19
Saturday: 10-16
Sunday: 12-17
Monday: closed