Just a few more days before Christmas and this post is dedicated to those last minute shoppers who can’t think of anything to give. Here are some unique Swedish gift ideas that you can get right here in Toronto (and elsewhere in Canada, I’m sure!). What better way to show your love of Sweden than through a gift of beautiful Swedish design or craftmanship?
Lisa Q of Sweden Jewelry
On CHCH TV Morning Live
I am one of those people who love edgy and funky jewelry to augment my fabby wardrobe and fashionista personality. Lisa Q of Sweden’s Bling Strings and choker jewelry totally fit the bill, as her pieces are chic, inventive and fun. I got a chance to meet the lady behind the bling, Lisa Quondamatteo, to talk to her about how she started her business (and to buy some of her gorgeous designs for myself). I was delighted to find that she is a lovely Swedish woman who had a colorful and interesting journey to get where she is today.
Born in the southern part of Sweden in the small town of Bräkne-Hoby in Blekinge county, Lisa came to Canada at the tender age of 19 to work as a nanny. Always attracted to aesthetic beauty and design, she studied interior design early on and even did some modeling. She did bartending for a period of time where she met her now husband, the owner of a popular, long-standing nightclub in Burlington, Ontario called Club 54.
Fast forward 25 years later and she now has 3 teenage kids and lives in Burlington with her family. 
In 2013, she became the exclusive distributor for Pearls for Girls, a Swedish jewelry company, which makes exquisite jewelry with pearls and semi-precious stones. Here, she again discovered her love for design. She thought she would try her hand at creating her own wearable pieces and thus Lisa Q of Sweden was born in September 2016.
Loving my Bling String!
As someone who advocates and endorses local arts and crafts, I am very happy to help introduce her beautiful jewelry to the Swedish-loving community of my blog! Check out her online store and order now! Even check out her Facebook page for events in and around Burlington or Toronto. You’ll be helping your fellow local artists and getting something uniquely Swedish to boot. 🙂 Snyggt!
Design House Stockholm
DHS has been my go-to design house for many years. They sell the modern classic Made-in-Sweden Pleece scarves and sleek 7-arm candleholders, as well as other functional home accessories. If you want to give a gift of both practical and sexy design, look no further than Design House Stockholm! You can now order their products online at the Scandinavian Design Centre here in Canada or find some items at Bergo Designs in Toronto!
Swedish Axes and Forestry Tools
Got a brawny man at home who doesn’t care for material things but lives a practical, outdoorsy lifestyle? How about a Wetterlings or Gränsfors axe handmade in Sweden? The Canadian Outdoor Equipment company sells such items online and you can get it delivered so your guy (or gal) can start chopping wood for your cozy fireplace during our frigid, Canadian winters.
the swede life in toronto 
Leave a Reply