This post may be a long time coming.  Some of you might be wondering what kinds of gifts travelers typically bring back hom from Norge to show off their recent voyage and represent the country to their friends and family with little pieces of norsk culture. 

Some trinkets that the average tourist bring back from Norway really don’t accurately represent the Norway of today, such as “Ole and Lena” playing cards, or a tee shirt with the phrase “Uff da” on it.  You all know what I’m talking about when I say that most of the items sold in tourist shops (in many places, not just Norway) are usually things of the past that the modern culture either doesn’t pay attention to or doesn’t even recognize.  Sure, remembering the history of a place and people is important, but I think focusing on those things that are still around today is more timely and important.  Lusekofter (the Norwegian term for what we call “Norwegian sweaters”) make great gifts.  You know the ones I’m talking about.  Hand knit beautiful wool sweaters that come in hundreds of colors and patterns).  Now these lusekofter can be extremely spendy if you buy them here in the U.S.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen one here for less than $200.  I used to work at a little boutique here in Northfield, MN that would slash the prices after a year or so, but even though, they can put a good dent in your wallet.  Lusekofter can be expensive (dyr) in Norway as well, but you have a better chance of finding them cheaper (billigere) there. 

Dale of Norway is the largest manufacturer of traditional Norwegian knitwear.  The company was founded by a man named Peter Jebsen in the small western village of Dale, where in 1879 Jebsen founed a textile mill that used the hydrokraft (hydropower) from the Dale elv (Dale river).  Dale has a long-time relationship with the Norwegian Olympic ski team.  The company has supplied the team with outerwear many times.

Dale Fabrikken (the Dale factory) produces all kinds of knitwear including hats (luer), mittens (votter), and such.  However, their most popular items are the sweaters.  Dale sweaters come in all different sorts.  There are the traditional thick and super warm sweaters, light weight merino wool sweaters, sweaters lined with “Polarwind” for use on extreme cold adventures, elegant and sporty sweaters (including cardigans and accessories) for women, etc. 

I own a couple Dale sweaters.  Each of my grandmothers gave me a beautiful cardigan wool lusekofte before they died (that I actually wear, believe it or not).  The most meaningful lusekofte for me is actually one that one of my norsk relatives knit for me while I lived in Norway and with whom I spent most of my søndager (Sundays). 

I went to St. Olaf College and every year for Christmasfest (a HUGE deal-many of you have probably heard about it-the St. Olaf choir is internationally known for it’s musical talent) there is a sea of lusekofter in the audience-mostly worn by people over age 30 (and then me…).  Lusekofter are traditionally norsk, they are worn by Norwegian-Americans today (and have been for many years), and they are still worn by Norwegians as well.  The perfect gift.  Buy one for yourself too!