What to buy in Sweden!
For many of us, a large part of going abroad is the ability to shop. It can affect a holiday destination beyond repair if there aren’t any recognisable high street names in the market – and in this respect, Sweden has got you covered. Stockholm offers shops galore and caters to every available style you can think of. With restaurants and bars aplenty (and suitably interspersed between those all important stores) it might just be the perfect vacation destination. But what do people actually buy when they go shopping in Sweden? Here are a few clues to help you get a general idea…
What to buy in Sweden!
The Dalarna Horse
Everyone who is everyone picks up a Dalarna Horse as a symbol of their journey to Sweden. It is, in fact, the Swedish equivalent of one of those donkey’s wearing Sombrero’s that everyone associates with Mexico.
The Dalarna Horse is a little wooden toy made in Dalarna, where horses were revered as symbols of strength and courage. Where huntsman would carve wooden horses for the children to play with in the wintertime, circa 1700. The tradition survives to this day when the horses are treasured, intricately carved or painted gifts sold all over Dalarna… and their not just wooden carved toys either. They come in paintings, they come as sculptures and, weirdly, they even come as butter knives…
Lingonberries!
The humble Lingonberry is a must-try for any traveller. This little berry grows wild across the moors and forestland of Sweden – but it has a terribly bitter taste when eaten raw. Best to buy these pre-prepared and preferably dunked in sugar, although they can be used to make adequate sauces for meats, too. If you are eating out in Sweden and you see these on the menu then give them a try. It is a Swedish absolute must!
Schnapps and Glogg!
Yes, Glogg! No, this isn’t a drink in itself, but rather the act of offering a guest a spiced drink. Every town in Sweden will have a sign up advertising Snaps and Glogg. And all they basically mean is a spiced aperitif that is best enjoyed with friends… more than likely with Herring or, in high Summer, with Crayfish… Schnapps and Gloog is a Swedish tradition, so it really would be offensive not to try it at least once…
Liquorice!
Sweden is one of the few countries in the world where liquorice is still as popular as it was in the eighties. And it’s not just this confectionery that has them hooked. The average adult Swede will pack away a kilo of candy in a week. Mostly on a Friday night, when they come home from work and purposefully pig out. However, liquorice is still a huge party of candy culture in Sweden. You can buy it by the bucket-load from most stores.
So next time you are in the market for a shopping holiday, why not visit Sweden? There are sure to be more than one or two retail items here that you simply cannot buy anywhere else!
