Special Easter Mission for You Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 11, 2009 in Culture
Easter day is almost upon us and pretty soon the church bells will go crazy and wake everybody up.
But before that happens, here are a few things to remember about Påsk in Sweden.
It’s a two day holiday. Easter Monday is known as Annandag Påsk.
What are some traditional Easter foods? This being Sweden, it has to be inlagd sill (pickled herring), lax (salmon), eggs, and even meatballs. And I’m hearing that Easter bunny, as in rabbit meat, is gaining popularity, too. The main meal is normally followed by dessert, for which most people would serve mandeltårta (almond cake). And what’s this assortment of foods called? Påskbord.
How about drinks? Here påskmust is a must. Similar to julmust, but the Easter version has a yellow label with Easter chicks on it, or something like that. Påskmust is slightly lighter in flavor than julmust, but just by a tiny bit. As far as soft drinks go, I am not fond of either one. To me they both taste like bad rootbeer with a hint of laundry detergent.
So, to those who celebrate – enjoy your holiday. And to those who don’t – enjoy your days off!
And while you’re sitting around and gorging on eggs and meatballs (or rabbit meat) I have a special mission for you, if you choose to accept it.
Let’s say, you live overseas (not in Sweden) and have a Swedish friend, or a family member coming to visit you. What kind of gifts from Sweden would you like to receive? I am at a total loss here and your suggestions will be much appreciated. Help me out here, please!
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Comments:
Erin:
So I’m American, but my husband and I are Sweden-obsessed and LOVE to visit Sweden. Friends have always thought it’s neat when we bring them food back from Sweden- unusual candies, snack foods, breath mints or gum… it’s always well-received if it’s different than typical American stuff. If you could smuggle in a small bottle of Aqvavit for liquor connoisseurs, that might also go over well. I say small because not everyone likes it- we adore it and it’s impossible to find in the US- we end up mail-ordering it. Or perhaps some uniquely Swedish beverage like påskmust, or a Swedish beer not available in the US. You seem to be quite astute in picking up on the daily things that are unique to Sweden- so try to bring them overseas to your friends or family.
sueca1:
I love Swedish table runners, T-shirts with somethiing typical, wooden candlesticks, the Christmas window stars, and Swedish glass (though it’s awfully expensive).
Luke (Sydney):
A Swedish flag bumper/windscreen sticker? I have been looking for one for ages and Ikea doesn’t sell them. Not that I am a Swede or anything like that.
Barbara:
Hi, Anna,
I’ll be glad to give you suggestions wrt gifts.
When a friend or relative from abroad comes to visit, I always appreciate gifts of typical food. A doll dressed in the local costume would also make me very happy. Typical material to sew into clothing and into household items would also be enjoyed, as would non-breakable decorations for my Yule tree. You do have those lovely ones made of straw in Sweden, or am I totally off the mark?
Thanks for your blog, I read it faithfully and I enjoy it a lot.
Stephen:
I’d say those wooden butter knives, jams that you can’t find here (cloudberry, etc), or Marabou chocolate (the bars, because Ikea has the rolls),
David from Oregon:
If someone was bringing me a present and money was not a problem, I would appreciate a large dalatupp. And, if they were good at smuggling, some isterband sausage.
Merna Summers:
On my one trip to Sweden, I found that second-hand stores often had beautiful old family embroideries — hardangar and other types — in stock. These would make beautiful gifts, and have the advantage of not being heavy or hard to pack.
Di:
In response to your request for gift suggestions, my Swedish family often bring me cloths, table-runners etc, with traditional Swedish designs, by Ekelund weavers – they are beautiful . Perhaps you could do a blog on this company and its products as well. Thoroughly enjoy reading your blogs – thank you.
Darlene:
Here is an idea for a gift: a handcrafted felted woolen tomte, or anything from hemsljöden. I also think traditional recipes such as almond cake (with the special form to bake it) would be very nice. Swedish linen is also very special. My greatest dilemma (similar to yours) was: what would Swedes appreciate as a gift from America?
Kenia:
I’d say it depends on the occasion.
A julmust bottle on Christmas would be perfect, for example. But I guess I’d love the typical souvenirs colored in yellow and blue (like the swedish flag), or those ornaments that are basically a crystal ball with a winter landscape inside: a wooden house with a snow man at the entrance and the snow falling, you know, like in the little villages of northern Sweden. That present would be definitely thrilling.
Oh, but Anna, you can always give a surströmming can as a gift!! Isn’t that quite representative of Sweden? LOL!!!
ceci:
hej hej anna! i would like to have as present, a big “korg”, full of bagerier…kannelbullar specially! also semlor…now that we are in sweden, is more useful your blog! thank you!
ceci, from lycksele
Linda från Kalifornien:
Hej Anna! Currently I am here in Gävle, visiting my husband’s family. I think delicious Swedish Kaffe like Gevalia would be a nice gift. Maybe Ahlgrens Bilar or Läckerol. If they like fish, Fiskbullar or Kalles. Mazarin, Kanelbullar, okay, it’s soon time for middag for me, can you tell?
I’m happy to hear Ceci made it to Lycksele!
Hej dä! Linda
Josee:
Hi
I am from Canada, married to a Swede . What I really enjoy getting from Sweden are either Kosta Boda glass, hand-blown glass figurines or those very charming Dalah horses.
I really enjoy reading your blog.