Pictured is one of the Scandanavian items available at various Swedish marketplaces in the area.

There is ample opportunity to prepare for and celebrate Christmas with the tastes, music and gifts from the Swedish community. The traditional Julmarknad at Jamestown Community College, because of COVID, has again been canceled but there are several other opportunities to partake in a bit of Sweden throughout the community. The only difference is that the markets in Sweden are typically outside.

Ecklof Bakery, 832 Foote Ave., Jamestown, offers freshly made Swedish seasonal items such as vort limpa bread, spritz and pepparkakor cookies, cardamom braids and rolls, Tom and Jerry mix, scorper, almond braids and tarts. Ecklof’s also offers korv burgers and deli meats and cheeses such as Bond Ost.

Scandinavian Resources will have a shop in the Ecklof store the first three Saturdays in December from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Included will be Sandra Sandy’s homemade items such as tablecloths, napkins, table runners, tote bags, aprons, and pillowcases all made from fabric imported from Sweden. In addition, she will have homemade decorative wooden figures (tomten) and woven straw ornaments. There will be books about the Swedish Christmas season, cooking, and fairy tales. Other items include Swedish tomte, trays, tiles, Christmas cards, mugs and many other items. Be sure to sign up for the new raffle each week.

A short distance away is Country Woods Country Store, 1771 Foote Ave., Jamestown, which has a Scandinavian room with items such as the Swedish Jul Bok (straw goat), mugs, Dala horses, dish cloths, napkins, almond cake trays, cookie cutters, straw ornaments and many other decorative items.

Peterson Farm, 3260 Fluvanna Ave., Jamestown, offers many Swedish Christmas foods including homemade meatballs, korv, sylta, and julskinka (Christmas Ham). Don’t forget the lutfisk. One can pick up their supplies for yellow pea soup, alcohol free glogg and many other food items. Visit the Scandinavian Gift Shop with many Swedish items such as books, ornaments, napkins, straw goats, a wide selection of handcarved Dala horses and other items. They also roast their own coffee known as Dalahast Roasters.

For updated information, check out the Facebook site “Scandinavianjamestown.”