A how-to-do with the Christmas presents.
Swedish traditions, can we ever get to know too many? Obviously not, for this one is more than cool! Often, Christmas presents in Sweden come together with a small poem in which reference is made to the receiver of the present and/or to the content. Rhyming is not everyone’s talent, so we give some suggestions for a text that could accompany some of your presents – or maybe they’ll give you some inspiration for your own ones! In case you don’t have to rhyme: do the game and guess what present is described in every poem. The answers can be found at the bottom of the page.
1. To your little niece of nephew
Small and brown and cosy
For a girl or a boy when they are drowsy
Usually soft with a red bow
For in-house use and not in snow
2. To the friend who eats not so healthily
Candy is nice, but also very sweet
Therefore not very beneficial to your teeth
It’s also not the best for your health
So I thought this would fit better on your shelve
3. To the person who always forgets your meetings
Missing a meeting is irritating, I bet
But you know, it’s easy to forget
So this little thing will help you,
Remembering what you were supposed to do
4. To your uncle/brother/cousing/father
Around his neck it fits nicely
The item is chosen wisely
Colorful with patterns in red
Certainly not aimed for the bed
5. For her
Cute little things to wear
When dressing up for dinner
Without this nice pair
Your face will look thinner
6. To the housemate who is the best cook
In cooking you are very skilled
Which makes the stomachs of your housemates filled
But sometimes even you are too busy for preparing food
Then this present will turn out good…
7. To the person who needs some new clothes
You know that I think you are a cool dude,
but seriously, you cannot go nude.
Here is something to cover your chest,
your arms, your stomach, and the rest!
8. To the person who needs something for their feet
Cold or wet, it isn’t nice,
you can’t wear those that are full of lice.
Here is a new one, actually there’s two.
To put on your feet, and then in your shoe
9. What you give to the one who never knows what time it is
What a surprise, again you are late
Why do you do this, you let me wait?
This thing I give you will help you know,
When you should stay and when you should go
10. To the person with frequent hangovers
Tequilas, beers, glögg or wine
Really, a bit of alcohol is fine.
But too much is unhealthy, I think
So hereby something else for you to drink
11. For the sporty type
Sporting makes your body pretty
But also your forehead very sweaty
For the risk of dehydration
This present is for compensation
12. For the one who never does his talk on the cleaning schedule
An excuse or an apology
even if tey really do sound nice – you see
With cleaning everyone should take his part
So you better open this present and start!
What was hidden behind the rhymes?
1. Cuddly bear, 2. A fruit basket, 3. A planner for 2013, 4. A tie, 5. Earrings, 6. Instant-noodles, 7. A t-shirt, 8. A pair of socks, 9. A clock, 10. A bottle of Julmust, 11. A water bottle, 12. Sponges and cleaning gloves
text: Tove Kluge, Lars Jansson, Paula Dubbink
