Kom, helg!

Kom, vinter, med din vita ro,
kom, helg, med dina håvor!
Låt fattigfolk i fruset bo få del av dina gåvor!
Låt gammalfolk bli ungt på nytt
och minnas blott allt gott som flytt
och maka sig tillsamman i stilla glam och gamman.

Kom, jul -- må gamla hymner klart
av unga röster sjungas,
var själ blir lättad underbart,
som eljest hårt betungas av dagens ok
och aldrig ser en glimt av soln, förra hon går ner.
Nu soln ikring oss dansar
i ljus och och krus och kransar!

Kom, nyår, med ditt gryningsljus
och lär oss tro och hoppas!
Hörs ej en sunnans milda sus?
Snart nakna kvistar knoppas.
Kom, Ljusa Stjärna, med din glans,
kom Sankte Knut! En sista dans
kring gran i gårdens driva,
dær snart står vårens viva!


Swedish holiday poem "Kom, helg" by Karl-Erik Forsslund

LET IT SPRAY LET IT SPRAY LET IT SPRAY


Plastic spray bottles are usually pastel or gharish neon colours. This one is neutral enough to be allowed to remain on the sink in between meal clean up for easy access throughout the day. Also available in clear and 2 other tints, from Clas Ohlson
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE CLAS OHLSON

A MERRY TREE-O

PEM-SCH-S00137 Mann og kvinne foran juletre

It had been waiting in the yard for a good eleven days but the tree made it into the living room this week. In the beginning og December dad and oldest son had fun picking and choosing the tree while the youngest got busy downing 6 cups of gløgg and 11 ginger bread snaps... To each his own.
IMAGE: PERSPEKTIVET MUSEUM TROMSØ, VIA FLICKR

SEW SEW GOOD

I love a great shortcut. These unadorned aprons in gray chambray from Åhléns are perfect for embroidered personalization. A clever quote, a nordic star, a phrase the receiver has coined, or a simple monogram in a contrasting colour will make the gift thoughtful, useful and appreciated. In Sweden, most Åhléns stores open late until christmas eve.

Hurry hurry and you'll have time to finish one or two before Santa is supposed to arrive.
IMAGE: ÅHLENS.SE

DECEMBER 13


They were rolled into their characteristic S-shape well past midnight last night, but there was indeed a traditional Lucia table decked this morning complete with Adventsbarn, lussekatter, gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate with ham sandwiches on the side...

Ateljé Lyktan was established in 1934 and their electric Lucia line up from 1964 is considered a classic. Available from Byggfabriken.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE BYGGFABRIKEN WEBSHOP

WINTER

Straws and ice crystals

IMAGE: "Straws and ice crystals" by Trond Kristiansen. 
Published under creative commons license, click on link in image for full attribution and license.

SMALL OBJECT, BIG LIKES



A small painted block coloured glass cylinder from H&M Home is the best item in their whole range at the moment. Fill with candies, nuts or cookies and deliver as hostess gift.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE H&M HOME WEBSHOP 

TOASTY BUNS

Shorts Astrid i siden in Varmt underMamelucker Ull/Silke in Varmt under

Scandinavian winter is more enjoyable when you aren't freezing your behind off. These bloomers (!?) are made of silk or a silk and wool blend to keep you warm. Pair with wool tights or hosiery and you can even brave the streets in a skirt. From Calida and Twilfit. Available in Twilfit stores and online.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE TWILFIT 

THREE´S A CHARM



Cajsa Stina Åkerström is my queen in the singer-songwriter genre. Worth a listen even if you speak no Swedish at all. Vreden och stormen. Silje Nergaard rules the jazzpop genre. Chain of Days. Ingebjørg Bratland reminds me of Cajsa Stina but with less perfectionism and more folksy vocal ornamentation. Månesinn.
IMAGE: ITUNES.COM

DECEMBER BLUES

We are entering the second week in advent and Christmas is just a few weeks away, but I am not ready for the bright reds just yet. It seems as if I keep returning to a muted blue and green colour scheme this time of year. 
Throw pillows from Åhlens, Lexington and Svenskt Tenn. Glass jar from Iittala, Coasters from Svensk Tenn, Wooden teddy from Rosendahl, Brass napkin rings from Skultuna, Tea cup from Design House Stockholm, Plant from Plantasjen, Glass vase from Lyngby Porcelæn. 
IMAGE: PRESS OR PRODUCT IMAGES FROM ÅHLENS, LEXINGTON, SVENSKT TENN, IITTALA, ROSENDAHL, SKULTUNA, DESIGN HOUSE STOCKHOLM, PLANTASJEN, LYNGBY PORSELÆN. 

THE NORTH SEA

Laurits Tuxen - The North Sea in stormy weather. After sunset. Højen - Google Art Project

"The North Sea in Stormy Weather. After Sunset. Højen." by Danish painter Laurits Tuxen in 1909.
IMAGE: PUBLIC DOMAIN VIA GOOGLE ART PROJECT 

LET THERE BE LIGHT


For someone who loudly laments always throwing away those few last centimeters of a candle, this is a dream come true! A ceramic burner where you place remaining bits of candles and reuse them! Genius! One small step towards a more environmental friendly christmas and winter season. Available both in an indoor and outdoor version!

This is a German product, not Scandinavian, but it immediately received GiftOfTheYear status for me. Read more at Vinnaljus. Available at Norrgavel.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE NORRGAVEL 

WISH UPON A STAR



Some christmas wishes are extravagant and some are plain and cheap. This is the latter kind, but on my most wanted list all the same. Pot pads a.k.a protective mats in felt to pare stacked pots and pans from abrasion and noise. Available at Ica Hemma.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE ICA HEMMA