May, 2019 | Discover Sweden's Finest

Are you looking for presents that exemplify the many charms of Scandinavia? Thanks to online shopping at SwedensFinest.com, it’s easier than ever to find the perfect Scandinavian crafts and gifts for your family and friends. You can order items made by Scandinavian artists and craftspeople from anywhere in the United States. Here are some popular presents to get you started on your shopping journey.

Scandinavian Knitting Motifs: Do you know someone who loves to knit? Get them a book listing the many famous Scandinavian motifs. These patterns are famous worldwide for their geometric beauty and intricate designs.

Alder Wood Trivets: There’s nothing better than hot food on cold days. However, no one wants to damage the table with a scorching dish. Hand-carved alder wood trivets are perfect for protecting tables while also enhancing the aesthetics of the table setting.

Almond Cake Pans and Trays: Almond cake is a beloved dessert in every Scandinavian country with many different variations available. An almond cake pan or tray would make a great gift for any baker in your life—and maybe you’ll get to enjoy the results as well!

Straw Christmas Goat: Every Yuletide season, goats decorate homes throughout Scandinavia. You may have also heard of the giant Gävle goat erected each year, which is infamous for getting burnt down by vandals before Christmas almost annually. Give your loved one his or her own straw goat to enjoy during the holidays; however, we definitely do not recommend burning it.

The little wooden horses of Sweden were originally carved by men that worked in the forests during the winter. When they returned to their villages, they gave the horses to children as playthings. This was in the 17^th century during which the horses were also sold at market in small towns and villages in the Dalarna region, in central Sweden. The horses were painted in bright colors that were inspired by the furniture in the region. Eventually, even young children learned to carve wooden horses, and, in 1928, one family founded a business producing the Dala horses. They are still producing the horses today in the village of Nusnäs in Dalarna.

The colorful wooden horse debuted internationally at the world fair in Paris in 1936, where it garnered enough attention that the Swedish committee at the fair decided to showcase the horses at the next fair. In 1939, at the New York World’s Fair, a Dala wooden horse became notable around the world. That was because an enormous painted Dala horse was placed outside the Swedish pavilion, which caused excitement throughout the crowds of visitors. In the year following the exhibition, it’s been said that more than 20,000 Dala horses were shipped to New York and the Swedish Dala horse immediately became a symbol for Sweden.

Posts made in May 2019

Memorable Scandinavian Gifts

A Brief History of Dala Horses