Window 17. Today’s word is ‘Årets julklapp‘ which translates as ‘Christmas present of the year.’
Every year, Sweden’s trade research institute nominates an item that is the ‘Christmas present of the year’. This item should have sold in large quantities and/or represent current trends in Swedish society.
The first item to be granted this status was in 1988 and it was the baking machine. Since then, various items have been the CD player, VR glasses, the tablet, the spike mat, the book, the food home delivery service, the robot hoover, the woolly hat and the wok.
In 2019, it was a mobile phone storage box. Last year’s was the mess kit – enabling people to go outdoors and socialise.
So this year, what is it?
Given the current state of the world, one might hope that it is a charitable contribution. But no it’s not. It’s a ticket to an event, which is rather controversial and provocative given we are still in the midst of a pandemic.
Watching the Swedes 