BAG IN BOX, PLEASE

THIS! Shoulder bag/purse from Carin Wester available via Åhlens. Explanation superfluous.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE ÅHLENS WEB SHOP

TERRA-IFIC

It had me at Hello. How can someone who is so terrible at maintaining greenery and plants have such an affinity for expensive terracotta pots!? Gah. The heart wants, what the heart wants. Terracotta pot for outdoor or indoor use from Danish company Skagerak. Available in two colours.
IMAGE: PRODUC IMAGE LANNA MOBLER WEB SHOP 

NEW IN

A small woven bucket for toys may not be on the boys´ wish list, but it sure is on mine, for them. There always seem to be something lacking a home, and a black catch all is my universal solution. This one is new in at H&M Home and fits their book shelves to a tee.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE H&M HOME

BEAD IT, LUCIA

Our kids love crafting with Hama fuse beads, and their December creations often get an honorary place on their own little trees. Last year I made these Lucia ornaments for our youngest, a quick and easy project. If you want to make your own, just enlarge the picture, they're easy to copy.

SCANDI ORNAMENTS

Master story teller HC Andersen used to cut elaborate paper silhouettes to illustrate his stories. Danish firm Nordahl Andersen have turned some of them into delicate ornaments. Seen above is "The ugly duckling". I've been eyeing the whole collection this year, I think some will become this year´s addition to the tree.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE NORDAHL ANDERSEN WEB SHOP

THE DAY OF SAINT LUCY

I had goose bumps, a tear in the corner of my eye and a heart full of Christmas. This year the Swedish Public Service channel SVT broadcast the quintessential Lucia procession. Bravo.

Variations on the Lucia processions are necessary, 6 part a cappella arrangements are not for everyone. But when you copy a copy enough times, you end up with something very far from the original, so it was refreshing to revisit its modern day classical glory. 

This year´s rendition was put together and performed so skilfully that the singing seemed effortless, and my heart rejoiced. This was my kind of Lucia. It will be the bench mark for all future broadcasts.

The church of Ulrika Eleonora was consecrated in 1688, and is a spectacular backdrop for the annual Lucia celebrations. If you are a winter visitor in Stockholm, try to get tickets to see it live.
IMAGE: Bosc d'Anjou, CREATIVE COMMONS, SOME RIGHTS RESERVED

KNOW WHEN TO FOLD `EM

What a neat idea! Ready folded paper napkins for the hostess with more flair than time on her hands. Available in packs of six, in white or red from Hemtex.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE HEMTEX 

THE CHRISTMAS RICE PORRIDGE

IKEA has a great bowl for serving the rice porridge, but even if you serve no porridge, and only need a large heavy bowl that doesn't easily tip over on the side (cats? dogs? kids?), the Finstilt bowl is for you. Rustic enough for a cottage and modern enough for urban family homes. 

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE IKEA.COM

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN

Christmas eve in Stadshagen, Stockholm 1941, during World War II.
IMAGE: Rune Skyllberg (Privat arkiv) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

KEEP LOOKING

 

 A few online destinations for a gray Monday. Cozy up with a cup of tea and browse away....

If you read Toast you will love the Northern Sisters Collective
If you read The house that Lars built you will enjoy Helena Lyth
If you love modern Scandinavian interior design you will enjoy Daniella Witte

A LOT FOR A LITTLE

Weronica over at Living by W featured 9 little gifts in the range of 100-150 SEK or the equivalent of 12-20 USD. She included many of my own favourites, but here are six more in the range of 10-20 USD for those looking for a small gesture, something to bring to a gift exchange with a set limit, or for those simply looking for a small Scandinavian souvenir that doesn't cost a fortune. 

Under the walnut tree by cookbook author Anna Bergenstrom finds the perfect balance between Scandinavian modern cooking and global flavours, I refer to it often (sample pages here). Classic coasters from Svenskt Tenn (available as single pieces at the store ) with the Swedish letter Ö, denoting east, a subtle but fun detail. Handcrafted nailbrush from Iris, a great stocking stuffer for the cook or gardener. 

Rustic kitchen scissors from Danish Hay is a good unisex gift for the hipster who unwraps packages from the butcher or wrap gifts with twine. Tiny glass vase with a contemporary Scandinavian aesthetic from Ernstform, great for single stems and green twigs. Scented candles from Bruka Design are available in smoky or clear glass and a wide selection of scents, surprisingly high end despite their price. 

IMAGES: PROUCT IMAGES FROM ADLIBRIS; TINNA; IRIS HANTVERK; AHLENS; LANNA MOBLER; BRUKA DESIGN

LAST MINUTE GIFTS TO SEND ABROAD

If you are looking for something to send abroad in the mail, this is it. A white paper star is the perfect Scandi souvenir that can be hung in the window of a dorm, cottage, castle. Weighs just about nothing in an envelope and is easy to store or throw away after the holiday season. Available at Rusta in a range of versions and colours, with prices starting as low as 0.75 USD. 

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE RUSTA 

CONTROLLING THE CONTROLLERS

Large metal flower pot from H&M Home. Perfectly sized for a small indoors fir tree, but instead I will check it out to see if it is the perfectly sized hide away for remote controls and game controllers once I line it with felt as silencer. 

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE H&M HOME 

CUTE CARD HOLDER

"Christmas card," a post card painted by Aadne Stray in 1894, from the collections of the National Library of Norway,
IMAGE: THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF NORWAY, NO KNOWN COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS

SCANDI MINIMALISM

This extra large tray from the Stockholm 2017 collection is big enough to sit steady on the bed with a full breakfast for two, and perfect for turning a foot stool or ottoman into a sofa table. A no fuss design makes it timeless, and easy to stain or paint for those so inclined.   
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE IKEA

WHAT IS THE COLOUR OF LOVE?

About seventeen years ago I was gifted a large Le Creuset pot by my mother, but asked her if I could return it and get one from Anders Petter instead. It was a cheaper brand so she tried to convince me that I was trading down, but I was persistent. I've never regretted it. It is less prone to chip, easier to clean and has lasted through the abuse of kitchen failures of both myself and my husband as kitchen novices. They have updated the look of it since, but I would still recommend it as an excellent gift to someone who is feeding a family. Durable and half the price of other brands, this is a reliable kitchen companion.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE CERVERA 

CHRISTMAS IS A HOOT

Originally thought as  outdoor decoration for the garden table, this owl in cast iron from Wildlife Garden would also look great indoors during the holiday season amidst green branches and pine cones. Check out their web page for the wonderful range of cast iron sculptures.  

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE WILDLIFE GARDEN

SERVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR

Wonderful salad servers to gift in December, and add flair to the rest of the year. Stainless steel and brass at a good price, from Indiska.

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE INDISKA 

IN THE BLEAK MID WINTER

An old glass negative from the National Library of Norway titled "Mesnavand. Tør Granbusk I".
Taken between 1880-1903, by Robert Collett.
IMAGE: VIA NASJONALBIBLIOTEKET