IKEA helps people find their holiday happiness with familiar traditions and playful surprises

The holiday season is a time for sharing, celebrating and creating memories together. With the launch of the 2026 winter celebration collections: VINTERFINT, STRÅLA and VINTERSAGA, IKEA introduces inspiration, decorations, lighting and seasonal treats, designed to help people make the most of this special time of the year.

Finding holiday happiness in two festive expressions

This year's collections are built around two distinct festive expressions. Scandinavian folklore draws inspiration from familiar traditions, timeless details, and a classic seasonal palette, creating a calm and cosy atmosphere. Happy carnival takes a more playful approach, combining bright colours, unexpected shapes and joyful decoration ideas. Whether embracing one expression or combining elements of both, the collections invite people to create a celebration that feels personal.

"Our aim is to help people create a holiday season that feels meaningful to them, whatever their rituals, style or way of celebrating. This year's collections offer both familiar festive favourites and playful new ideas, making it easy to create welcoming spaces for gathering, sharing and enjoying time together," says Annika Eliasson, Range Manager at IKEA of Sweden.

The VINTERFINT collection introduces a wide range of seasonal decorations, textiles, tableware and gift-wrapping solutions designed to bring warmth and personality into the home. Among the highlights are collectables by designer Marta Krupińska, whose colourful bowls, jars, candlesticks and decorations are designed to bring laughter and a light-hearted expression to the season.

"I wanted to evoke laughter and make Christmas more relaxed. The shapes are geometric and simple yet playful, with eye-popping colours. I hope they will add joy and a stress-free perspective on Christmas," says Marta.

Paper decorations designed for years of celebrations

A key focus of this year's VINTERFINT is an expanded range of paper-based decorations that offer a fresh interpretation of festive favourites. Designed to be folded, stored and enjoyed season after season, the range demonstrates how simple materials can be transformed into eye-catching decorations while making it easier to create lasting traditions.

By exploring new ways to work with paper, designers have created products that make a striking impression during the holidays and are easy to store afterwards. From sculptural Christmas trees and colourful garlands to playful ornaments, the collection reimagines familiar decorations in a lightweight and versatile format.

Several designers contributed to the paper-based range, each bringing their own creative perspective. Among them is Clara von Zweigbergk, whose distinctive use of colour, pattern and graphic expression brings fresh energy to the collection. Her designs combine bold stripes, vibrant colours and festive forms that can be enjoyed during Christmas celebrations and beyond.

"The design process for the VINTERFINT collection was very hands-on, allowing ideas to spontaneously arise through experimentation with paper mock-ups that helped shape the final forms, sizes and colours. Paper, symmetry and vibrant colours are at the heart of the designs. The products are just as suitable for Christmastime as for other celebrations, and I hope they are kept, enjoyed for many years and become part of many joyful moments, says Clara von Zweigbergk, designer.

Gathering around the table for festive moments

Many of the season's most memorable moments happen around the table, where food, conversations and traditions bring people together. Whether hosting a festive feast, enjoying a seasonal fika or baking together, these shared moments are often at the heart. STRÅLA complements these moments with lighting that brings warmth and atmosphere to homes during the darker winter months. From classic Scandinavian star lamps and decorative table lighting to outdoor lighting chains, STRÅLA helps create a festive glow both indoors and outdoors.

To complete the season, the VINTERSAGA collection returns with food and treats inspired by Swedish holiday traditions. Gingerbread houses, festive sweets, chocolates and holiday drinks offer opportunities to share familiar flavours with family and friends throughout the season.

Together, VINTERFINT, STRÅLA and VINTERSAGA offer inspiration for every part of the winter season, from decorations and lighting to tableware and seasonal treats, creating a festive expression that reflects individual tastes and traditions. These collections will be available in IKEA stores and online from September 2026, with availability and launch timing varying by market.