FFrom IKEA to meatballs, pleasure For Nordic black, Scandinavian influence on the UK has been steadily increasing for decades.But this ChristmasDuring the coronavirus pandemic and Brexit, enthusiasm for the region and its traditions reached new heights.
ScandiKitchen, a Scandinavian merchandise distributor, closed its online Christmas orders at the beginning of this year. Previously, there was unprecedented demand for holiday products including meatballs. Mulled wine (Mulled wine), gingerbread (Gingerbread), chocolate, ham and cheese.
It’s not just food that is popular.The UK is celebrating Saint Lucia-a candlelight celebration in schools, workplaces and homes on December 13 SwedenThe community group LondonSwedes stated that tickets for the Lyric Hammersmith event starring Swedish Eurovision champion Måns Zelmerlöw sold out within two hours. At the same time, the Swedish Church stated that tickets for all its Lucia celebrations in London and Brighton were sold out a few weeks ago, earlier than ever. The Lucia celebration at York Minster has also been booked.
This year’s decorations also draw inspiration from Scandinavia. IKEA reports that as people begin to embrace family life nearly two years after the pandemic, there is growing interest in handmade decorations, cooking and baking. It says shoppers buy decorations “earlier than usual.”
Nordic House, a Scandinavian home furnishing store, said that demand for Christmas decorations “has risen sharply”, especially candles. Co-founder Sandie Wallman said that Scandinavian trends reflect sustainable trends and support artisans and handmade.
“The Scandi style is the opposite of a one-off society, and it is understandable that people are now looking for this kind of society,” Wallman said. “The beautiful Scandi decorations are the calming antidote to our busy and uncertain year in the past.”
Brontë Aurell, the co-owner of ScandiKitchen, said: “We are always busy at Christmas, and we always run out of capacity when it is approaching, but it has never been this early.”
Homesick Scandinavians worry about government travel restrictions “Plan B” announcement She said that in response to Omicron and Brexit-related import complications, as well as the general pandemic, all have contributed to demand, which she believes has increased Scandinavian traditions and values to non-Scandinavian countries. Human attraction.
She said: “We have a very strong Christmas culture, very likable-and it is easy to keep pace with the British Christmas traditions.” “We are all about baking, mulled wine, pleasure, On the outside, but also very comfortable on the inside. And, most importantly, make time to be with the one we love-to be there. If we have learned one thing in the past two years, it is that being together makes us human. “
Aurel said that the relationship between Britain and Scandinavia “has shifted from IKEA meatballs and Nordic black. Overall, the British people have a better understanding of what the Nordic countries can offer and our culture. I I think a lot of people are paying attention to this.”
Charlotte Ågren, the founder of LondonSwedes, said that the Christmas blockade last year increased their demand for this year’s events. In addition to commemorating Lucia, it also includes midsummer celebrations and crayfish parties. “It feels like culture is becoming more and more exciting and interesting,” she said.
She thinks she announced plans to open a IKEA on Oxford Street In 2023, Abba’s return The appearance of Scandinavian languages and cultures on Netflix is also increasing.
Another sign of growing influence in the region, Trendy Scandinavia Launched this year, published in English, and with Photo by Greta Thunberg Stroking a horse on the cover of the first edition.
Niklas Ekstedt, Michelin-starred Swedish chef Exeter in the Yard, He said earlier this year at the first restaurant outside Stockholm in Westminster that he was pleased that the Scandinavian influence was moving away bridge And Ingmar Bergman. “People see that there are other things in culture besides death and darkness,” he said, adding that Scandinavian Christmas celebrations are “very suitable for traveling to the UK.”
He said Sweden’s oldest food Christmas table (Christmas table)-usually includes pickled herring, gravadlax, Christmas ham and rice pudding-yes Dip in the pot, Broth for dipping bread.
He said that the darker winters in Scandinavia made Christmas especially important. “When we enter this dark period with short days and cold weather, vacations are very important for the family to keep a happy mood. So many things are well thought out to make sure everyone is happy, the food is good, and we can Live a few more months in the winter.”
How to spend a Scandi Christmas
The fastest way to Scandy Christmas is to light up your home and embrace pleasure (Roughly translated from Danish to “comfort”), says Brontë Aurell, founder of ScandiKitchen.She also recommends that you make your own Mulled wine (1 stick of cinnamon, 10 cardamom pods, 20 cloves, 5-7 grams of dried ginger, 5 grams of dried orange peel, 80 grams of sugar and a bottle of red wine, heat, rest, filter and reheat, with a spoonful of almonds Piece) and hold Mulled wine Gather with friends and neighbors on Advent Sunday.
Or try to make a gingerbread or gingerbread house-from scratch or use a pre-made flat package base.
Celebration dates include the Saint Lucia Festival on December 13th and December 24th, with a special dinner, maybe buffetAnd dance around the Christmas tree.
