Celebrate the season of light with us...

At Ingebretsen’s, we love the Swedish celebration of light this time of year.  In anticipation of Christmas, virtually every window in Swedish homes, apartments, and businesses has a star or electric candelabra to shine throughout the Christmas season and bring light into the dark days.  The effect is magical.  A part of Swedes’ Advent celebration, a candle is also lit on each of the four Advent Sundays.

We love St. Lucia Day, December 13, too.  The name Lucia means “light.”   During the Middle Ages, the Swedes were suffering through a severe famine.  According to legend, on December 13 a ship glowing with light appeared on Lake Vannern in Sweden carrying a woman dressed in white with a glow around her head. The ship brought desperately-needed food to the people and then quietly sailed away.  The Swedes dubbed the woman in white St. Lucia, who was actually an Italian saint, and ever since celebrated her during the darkest part of the year.

Many families who celebrate the day have their eldest daughter wake early and wear a white gown with a red sash and a crown of candles on her head.  She serves the rest of the family coffee and Lussekatter (Lucia buns).  While her younger brothers and sisters may act as her attendants, everyone becomes involved by singing traditional Lucia songs.

Whatever their origins, today’s festivities are lovely, light-filled, and an opportunity for family and friends to spend time together.  Mothers can now buy Lucia crowns with electric candles for the safety their daughters in white.  Although some Swedish-Americans prefer to host parties later in the day, they continue the tradition of coffee and Lussekatter.  In this season of sharing, we are making our favorite Lussekatter recipe available for you.  Go here to receive it.  

We invite you to stop by Ingebretsen’s this weekend and celebrate light with us.  Find out more about St. Lucia Day.  Bring your family.  Learn about St. Lucia together.

We ‘d love to see you again,

Diane and staff

Ingebretsen’s av Stockholm

Celebrate a Country Christmas this weekend…

This weekend come to Stockholm and celebrate a Country Christmas throughout the village.  We missed the weather mess this week.  Highway 35 is dry, and our sidewalks are clear.  See our new Festival of Lights decorations, illuminating and accentuating spaces and individual shops.  Enjoy a free horse-drawn wagon ride.  Take home goodies from the bake sale at Stockholm Museum.  Visit Santa who will be in Stockholm all day.

Check out the special happenings this Saturday:

The Palate will have Mrs. Claus at her workshop;
Ingebretsen’s will be offering treats and Scandinavian artists’ demonstrations;
Black Cat Farmstead will be decorated in Little House style and offers a free ornament-making workshop;
A Sense of Place will feature a winter book signing;
Stockholm Pie Company will have “pie flight” tastings and specially-made Swedish tea rings, fruit cakes, holiday cookies, and holiday gift baskets;
Stockholm General will have wine tastings, delectable samples, and special holiday gifts baskets;
TanysHus owner and international lighting designer John A. Myklebust, iesna, aia, will be in The Flat above Ingebretsen’s to answer your lighting questions;
Abode will feature Lucy Elliot, Richard Erickson, Mary Logue and other guest artists for you to meet, greet, and sign their works;
Maiden Rock Winery and Cidery will be hosting the annual Medieval Feast and Wassailing of the Apple Trees;

Later in the day
Widespot Performing Arts Center will be featuring the annual Hot Flashes Christmas show starting at 7 p.m.; 
Gelly’s will have The Sue Orfield Band featuring Sue on the saxophone from 8 - 11 p.m.

Discover extraordinary gifts in the shops.  Immerse yourself in the spirit of the season through the decorations, the aromas, and the excitement of the holidays. 

We’d love to see you again,
Stockholm Merchants    

We thank you…

We thank you for being our guest at Stockholm.  We thank you for shopping at our stores, staying at our lodgings, and savoring the fare at our eateries.  We thank you for enjoying our creations, sipping our beverages, and attending our events.  We thank you for reading these e-mails and continuing your interest in Stockholm.

We wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving. 

We invite you to celebrate Small Business Saturday with us this weekend.  Bring your family to experience Stockholm’s small town charm.  Park on the street.  Find one-of-a-kind gifts.  Stroll through the village and browse the stores at a leisurely pace.

We’d love to see you again,
Stockholm Merchants 

You are invited to our Medieval Feast and Wassailing of the Apple Trees…

When you hear about wassailing, likely you think of caroling.  Well, another type of wassailing exists, orchard-visiting wassailing.  An ancient custom that originated in the cider-producing region of western England, orchard-wassailing awakens the apple trees and chases away the evil spirits.  This is accomplished by making a great deal of noise by singing, shouting, and banging on pots, pans, and drums. 

Today, this custom of blessing the crops and singing to good health is being practiced once again in western England, parts of North America, and here at Maiden Rock Cidery and Winery.  We invite you to join us for our Medieval Feast and Wassailing of the Apple Trees Saturday, December 7, from 5 - 9 p.m.  We will have an authentic medieval five-course feast and special Wassail beverages prepared and served by staff in medieval attire.  Our menu gives you the choice of roasted wild boar or giant smoked turkey legs and several kinds of Wassail drinks.

We are excited to welcome the Minneapolis-based group, The Laughing Hearts, to lead us in our celebration  With twenty plus years experience in revelry and interactive theater with the Renaissance Festival circuit, these ladies are multi-talented Celtic/Medieval/Renaissance musicians featuring didgeridoo, doumbaek, hand percussion, mandolin, bodhran, bagpipes, whistles, flute, guitar, harmonica, and vocal performances.  They bring a jolly good season to any Wassailer looking to bring forth a joyful noise!

Toast the apple trees with us.  Since seating is limited, we recommend you make your reservations early.  Today is good.  Tickets for adults are $50, and children under 12 are $25.  Groups of six or more are $40 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.  Click here to register online or call (715) 448-3502.  Find more information on our Medieval Feast and Wassailing of the Apple Trees here.

We’d love to have you Wassail with us!
Herdie, Carol, and Staff
Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery