Whenever I visit The Old Town in Stockholm, especially at Christmas times, there is a shop I cannot avoid – the one with all the unique and very personal “Tomte” figures. They come in different sizes and are handmade in every detail, and you just have to have one in your home. They look a bit like Santa Claus, but the “Tomte” is, according to nordic folklore, a  sweet little figure who was supposed to guard your home and spread a good feeling in your home all year round. But he could also be quite mean, if you neglected your home or the atmosphere was bad.

The new one I bought for this year is standing in the window, right now overlooking the living room. In the old days it was said that if you were kind to each other, tended to your home and gave the “Tomte” a plate of porridge at Christmas – then he would thank you by guarding your home.

Of course, we also have the “Jultomte”, and that is Santa Claus, coming on Christmas Eve – but that is another story.