FALL FAVOURITES

Kastehielmi tray, Iittala / Kaj Boyesen wooden monkey, Rosendahl / Stoneware bowls, H&M Home / Terracotta flower pot, Granit / Rosehip drink, IKEA / Golden leather string, House Doctor / Soap, LA Bruket / Beanie, Fjallraven / Round pen holder, Hay / Stoneware bowl, House doctor / Storage box, IKEA / Scented candle, LA Bruket.

IMAGES: PRODUCT IMAGES FROM IITTALA; ROYALDESIGN.SE; H&M HOME; GRANIT; IKEA; FJALLRAVEN; HAY; LA BRUKET

FOOL PROOF GIFTS

This is our list of can't-go-wrong gifts from Sweden that suit all ages above 20 years, all genders, most home interiors, and all life events: wedding, christmas, birthday, anniversary, hostess gifts...

Round tray Aristida, Svenskt Tenn. Small crystal bowl Precious, by Malin Lindahl for Orrefors. His or her body scrub brushes, by Iris Hantverk. Baroque candlestick in concrete, by Tove Adman. Napkin rings available in silver or brass, by Skultuna.  Kitchen towel Siljan, by Ekelunds Linneväveri. Stoneware bowl available in 5 colours, by Höganäs. Notebook Dinners, by Ordning & Reda.
IMAGES: ORREFORS WEBSHOP, SKULTUNA WEBSHOP, SVENSKT TENN WEBSHOP, TOVE ADMAN, DESIGNONLINE, ORDNING-REDA.SE, CERVERA.SE, IRIS.SE

A COLORFUL FALL

One of the reasons why we love Scandinavian design and love to give it as gifts, is its ability enhance both a minimalist and a maximalist home.  Its simplicity and modern shape contrasts classic settings beautifully, and its playfulness brightens a graphic or strict setting.  

Tealight chandelier Nappula by Iittala, Wooden hairbrush by Åhlens, Kivi votives in salmon pink and rain by Iittala, Key ring Ordning & Reda,  Gräshoppa table lamp Gubi, Mail box Bruka Design, Miniature ficus microcarpa IKEA, Elsa Beskow Tray Design House Stockholm. Aalto vase in deep purple by Iittala, Stockholm vase IKEA, orange Färgrik bowl IKEA,  Rondello paper napkins by Iittala, Fazermint chocolates by Fazer, candle holder HM Home, Wooden bowl HM Home

IMAGES: PRODUCT IMAGES IITTALA, IKEA, ÅHLENS, BRUKADESIGN, FAZER, H&M HOME, CONNOX.COM, ORDNING & REDA, CONRANSHOP.CO.UK

GIFTS FROM SCANDINAVIA

Mixing jug with utensils from Rosti Mepal, Bowl Mine from Kosta Boda, Tray from Svenskt Tenn, Fridge carafe from Eva Solo, Paper star from Clas Ohlson, Ceramic box from H&M Home, Santa Family Ornaments from IKEA, Tealight holders from Royal Copenhagen. 

IMAGES: PRODUCT IMAGES CERVERA, KOSTA BODA, SVENSKT TENN, EVASOLO, CLAS OHLSON, H&M HOME, IKEA, ROYALDESIGN

PUT IT OUT IN STYLE

The last couple of years fire extinguishers have been made to fit the Scandinavian white homes, and I for one applaud the effort. The likelihood that this one will be stuffed in a closet is smaller than that for its bright red siblings. 

A great hostessgift on New Year's Eve, or to new homeowners or your childrens' families. If they already own one, place the old one in the garage. Available at Ica Maxi Hem & Fritid (199 SEK).  

IMAGE: ICA MAXI WEBSHOP

PRIMARY COLOURS

Scandi baby gifts that can stand a good beating (and biting) and will last for generations. Streamliner Rally from Playsam, Stacking clown from BRIO, Worm rattle from Kalikå, 3D Puzzle from Micki, MULA from IKEA.

GIFT GUIDE

As much as I hate to admit it, Scandinavian Modern and Folklore aren't for everyone. Today's gift guide is for the traditionalists and romantics. Star Fluted Christmas Cake dish by Royal Copenhagen, Fabergé inspired ornaments from Brink, Linen towel Jaktmönstret from Ekelunds, Reproductions of Billmark's Stockholm motifs from the Stockholm City Museum, Gingerbread thins in decorated tin by Annas, Candle holder Lovisa Ulrika by Skultuna.
IMAGE: ROYAL COPENHAGEN; BRINK; EKELUNDS LINNEWÄVERI; STOCKHOLMS STADSMUSEUM; ANNAS PEPPARKAKOR; SKULTUNA

PLAY IT SAFE - FINLAND

Helsinki is the World Design Capital 2012. So in honor of our close neighbours, we've handpicked Finnish small gifts that suit just about any adult recipient. Prices range between 40-299 SEK / 35-250 NOK/ 6-43 USD.

Maribowl by Marimekko for Iittala, available in 2 sizes and 19 colours. Unikko Mouse Pad, Marimekko. Moomin mug by Arabia, Terva Leijona tar and licorice pastilles, owned by Leaf Candy Company International. Bird of Hattula Brooch in bronze, Kalevala Koru. Bowl with nut cracker, Casa Stockmann. Strong mustard in metal tube, Auran Sinappi. Wooden body scrubbers for sauna or shower, Rentosauna.
IMAGES: IITTALA.COM, MARIMEKKO.COM, IITTALA FINNISH WEBSHOP, LAKRITSBUTIKEN.SE, KALEVALA KORU WEBSHOP, STOCKMANN WEBSHOP, AURANSINAPPI.FI, RENTOSAUNA.FI

PLAY IT SAFE - DENMARK

Whether Denmark belongs to Scandinavia or not is a matter of definition, but we don't want to leave them out. We've handpicked small gifts that fit just about any adult recipient. With love from Denmark. Prices range between 80-299 SEK / 70-250 NOK/ 12-43 USD.

Tea light holders in Blue Fluted Mega, Royal Copenhagen. Kitchen timer, Stelton. Calendar candle, Georg Jensen. Bottle opener in teak, Trip Trap. Glass bowl, Grand Cru M, Rosendahl. Chocolate fondue for microwave, Odense. Salad servers available in 6 colours, Bodum.
IMAGES: TRIP TRAP WEBSHOP, ROYAL COPENHAGEN WEBSHOP, BODUM WEBSHOP, ROYALDESIGN.SE, ROSENDAHL WEBSHOP, ODENSE-MARCIPAN:DK, DANSKDESIGN.NU

PLAY IT SAFE - NORWAY

We've handpicked small gifts that are appreciated by just about any adult. Round 2, with love from Norway. Prices range between 150-250 SEK / 130-215 NOK/ 22-37 USD.

Handmade blueberry soap, Alveland. Small tiered server, Skeidar. Small moose leather purse, Jopo.  Multesyltetøy, Askim Frukt og Bærpresseri. Small glassbowl in green or blue, Hadeland Glassverk. Herring fork in pewter, Shop Norway. Cheese slicer, reproduction of original from 1925, Bjørklund.
IMAGES: BJØRKLUND, ASKIM FRUKT OG BÆRPRESSERI, HADELAND.NO, SKEIDAR.NO, FREIA ON FACEBOOK, ALVELAND.NO, SHOP NORWAY

PLAY IT SAFE - SWEDEN

We've handpicked small gifts that are appreciated by just about any adult. With love from Sweden.
Prices range between 150-250 SEK / 130-215 NOK/ 22-37 USD.

Handmade pralines with Swedish Berries, or Christmas Flavours, Chokladfabriken. Key rings, braided leather or leather heart, from Ordning och Reda. Small tray, in navy, red or black, Svenskt Tenn. Phonecase in leather, in natural or black, Svenskt Tenn. Jellybean dessert bowl, avaiblabe in 15 colours, Jelly Bean. Wool fleece bikeseatcover, Skansenbutiken. Puck candleholder in crystal, Orrefors.
IMAGES: CHOKLADFABRIKEN WEBSHOP, ORDNING&REDA.COM, SVENSKT TENN WEBSHOP, JELLYBEAN WEBSHOP, SKANSENBUTIKEN.SE, ORREFORS WEBSHOP

FOR MY BOOKIES

Floris Books in Great Britain has a great selection of the classic Swedish authors translated into english. Since their page isn't very user friendly I've made a selection of links below. The english editions are also available in Sweden through Adlibris.com, in Norway in through Norli.no, and in the US through Amazon.com.

A Home, A Farm, A Family, by Carl Larsson 

The Holy Night and The Wonderful Adventures of Nils by Selma Lagerlöf

The tomte's christmas porridge, by Sven Nordqvist. 

 A Calf for Christmas, and In the Land of Twilight, by Astrid Lindgren

Goldie at the Orphanage, Goldie at the Farm, by Martha Sandwall Bergström (Kulla Gulla) 

Books by Elsa Beskow are available both in regular size and mini editions. 
IMAGES: ADLIBRIS.COM/SE