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Christmas 1998: A White Holiday and Gardening Joy in Vibbyn

A Snowy and Memorable Christmas

On December 30, 1998, Ulrika Wiss from Vibbyn, Norrbotten, looked back fondly on a truly memorable Christmas. That year, Christmas Eve was transformed by the long-awaited arrival of about a decimeter of fresh snow. While the ground before hadn’t been entirely bare, the new blanket of white made everything “look much more beautiful” and filled the holiday season with genuine spirit. Ulrika’s husband was particularly pleased—he could finally make use of their newly purchased autumn tractor for snow clearing, a beloved and necessary ritual of the northern winter.

Gifts of Creativity—and the Wish for Garden Enthusiasts

Homemade Garden Gifts

Ulrika’s love of gardening was evident in her holiday reflections, though she confessed a hint of disappointment—she didn’t receive any garden-themed gifts that year, remarking, “If only there were a few more garden enthusiasts in the family!” Nonetheless, she channeled her passion into a creative gift for her mother, decorating a simple terracotta pot with red sheep stencils. She filled it with handpicked seeds: Good King Henry and walking onion for reliable perennials, St. John’s wort for blossoms and traditional remedies, and Hungarian Yellow Hot Wax chili pepper for some spice. The seeds were carefully presented in envelopes she made and illustrated herself, nestled into the pot with a bit of excelsior and wrapped in green paper. Ulrika took satisfaction in this thoughtful, affordable present—a true testament to the joy of creative giving.

For anyone seeking ideas for personal, homemade gardening gifts, Ulrika’s approach is a wonderful inspiration. If you’re eager for more ideas about the delight of returning to the garden after a long winter, she recommends reading Äntligen ("Finally!"), which captures the anticipation and joy as spring approaches.

Swedish Snaps: A Festive Family Tradition

Keeping with Swedish holiday tradition, Ulrika’s family prepared their own flavored snaps for the Christmas meal. The first batch was infused with locally picked caraway, supplemented by a touch of store-bought fennel seed and a pinch of brown sugar, resulting in a beautifully light green, delicately fresh spirit after just a few days. The next experiment was more daring—honey-dipped habanero pepper halves, rescued from a failed preserving project, were used to create a fiery, aromatic snaps. Even after removing the peppers, the heat continued to intensify, ensuring that only the most adventurous at the table would savor its boldness!

Gardening Resolutions for a New Year

As the turn of the year approached, Ulrika considered her gardening resolutions for 1999. Newly inspired after seeing that 87% of Odla.nu’s weekly readers had started plants from seed, she resolved to do the same in the coming year—even if only with one kind of vegetable. At the same time, she avoided making promises she knew she might break, like resisting the urge to sow seeds too early or to keep the garden entirely free of weeds, knowing such goals are easy to abandon. Instead, she committed to the most vital resolution of all: to always have fun in the garden, remembering that enjoyment is the real reason to nurture plants.

Ulrika’s reflections capture not just her own gardening journey, but also a quintessential Swedish attitude: gardening is about joy, relaxation, and creativity—not just chores or unattainable perfection. Her words remain inspiring for seasoned gardeners and newcomers alike.

Wishing You a Happy and FUN Gardening Year!

Ulrika Wiss, Vibbyn, Norrbotten

Read more: Äntligen – for inspiration about the thrill of starting a new gardening season.