Birthday gifts

Usually Finns celebrate their birthdays with the closest friends. It seems like during that special day they only want to have those dearest to their hearts around. When it comes to presents they shouldn't be too expensive. It is more important to find something special for this particular person, or even make the gift yourself.

Few days ago I participated in a birthday party, a friend turned 30. One of the gifts he received were so called "Reinot" - very common in Finland slippers:

It was also a form of joke, as these are usually used by elderly people.

Anyway the point is that birthdays in Finland are a good occasion to get together, I especially recommend not to miss such an occasion during dark autumn / winter time. Secondly you should not ruin your savings to get something as a gift for your Finnish friend. I have the impression that Finns do not like to get expensive gifts, especially if you are a friend or just an acquaintance.

More expensive gifts might be accepted from a spouse, wife of husband though, but this is a very personal arrangement and I wouldn't like to generalise.
Personally I wouldn't mind getting a summer cabin as a birthday gift, but I'm not Finnish :)