neat stuff

Weekend Christmas Markets in Berlin 🎄

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Escape Covid isolation and come with us to Berlin! Virtually of course. Last year we actually ditched Thanksgiving and went to Berlin to explore Christmas markets. In hindsight best decision ever! We wrote about some of the big markets last year, but there were even more weekend Christmas markets in Berlin and we caught a few of them.

Berlin Christmas Markets During Covid-19

The uncertainties with COVID-19 of course also extends to Christmas markets. What we know today is that they will not be open the last week of November as is customary. Instead, due to the current partial lockdown in Germany, opening day has been pushed back to December 1st. Some Christmas markets have already decided to go online only or skip this year entirely. If they will open, masks and limited attendance will be the norm. Without big crowds and tourists, expect some vendors to reduce inventory or not participate at all. Check the webpages for each market or weihnachteninberlin.de (German only) for up-to-date information before you go.

Christmas Rodeo

The odd name “Weihnachtsrodeo” (Christmas rodeo) peaked our interest. The old 5-story refrigeration building, “Kühlhaus Berlin”, opened up for three weekends as a real-life Etsy site. As the name implies, it’s a non-traditional Christmas market, but heaven for those looking for creative gifts from small vendors and manufacturers. We found home decoration, food, beer, liquor, art, prints, clothing, slippers and even safety reflectors. Add to that an eclectic mix of international food stands, DIY workshops and a few wood pallet sitting areas. On the fifth floor, we were rewarded with a drink in exchange for our entry token. Cheers! Prost!🍸 Sadly, but not surprisingly, the market is closed in 2020, but hopefully it is worth bookmarking it for 2021.

Three of the five stories at the Christmas Rodeo market in Berlin, 2019
Three of the five stories at the Christmas Rodeo market in Berlin, 2019. It was a like a real life Etsy site with small independent vendors offering quality goods, often self made.
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Weekend Christmas Markets in Berlin 🎄Read More »

Weekend Christmas Markets in Berlin 🎄 Read More »

Happy Midsummer – Corona Version

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It’s June and almost midsummer, the time when Scandinavian nights are short, bright and magical and no-one thinks about safety reflectors. So many of us Scandinavians in North America have had our flights “back home” cancelled and are stuck with pitch black nights from 9 or 10 pm. In addition, Scandinavian markets and festivals are cancelled so no new kitchen towels, loose-leaf tea, fika mugs or cute onesies for the next generation. Well, Krista Nygaard of the Scandinavian Design Studio pulled together a team who has created an amazing online community of vendors and customers at scandinavianfest.com. So lets go shopping online instead and then bake (recipe at the end of this post) a midsummer strawberry cake 🍰!

Midsummer Strawberry Cake

Scandinavian Midsummer Shopping

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Happy Midsummer – Corona VersionRead More »

Happy Midsummer – Corona Version Read More »

The German School Cone

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Most readers with recent German heritage have likely already figured out what the “school cone” is: a “Schultüte” or “Zuckertüte.” It’s a colorful card stock cone that German children receive on their first day of first grade. It is sometimes as tall as the kid and always stuffed with a mix of useful school supplies – pencils, erasers, a ruler, some fun paperclips, a few safety reflectors for the “Schulranzel” (the school backpack) – and treats like pretzels, granola bars, cookies, candy and maybe an apple.

This time of year, colorful school cones in all sizes are on display in every shop in Germany and also quite popular in neighboring areas of Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria, but not so much beyond. If you are in the US, the German Girl in America blog has tips on where to find them.

German school cones, "Schultüten" in all colors on display in a department store in Berlin, 2019.
German school cones, “Schultüten” on display in a department store in Berlin, 2019. The colorful designs range from solid colors to space ships and ponies.

The Story Behind the School Cone

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The German School ConeRead More »

The German School Cone Read More »

Thoughtful Valentine’s Gift Idea ❤️

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Without getting a chance to breath after the holidays, endless store shelves are already filled with red and pink Valentine Day’s gifts. It can easily be overwhelming and just a bit too sugary. If you are looking for a useful and thoughtful Valentine’s gift idea, this piece of rainbow striped eye candy might be just that. It is absolutely sugar-free and instead it brings safety and a piece of mind. It is super easy to send as a gift with a greeting card.  Who would you not want to surprise with a loving heart any day of the year?

Heart safety reflector makes a thoughtful Valentine's gift idea for those you care about the most.
Looking for a thoughtful Valentine’s gift?

 

A heart shaped safety reflector is a perfect thoughtful Valentine's gift idea.
A heart shaped safety reflector is a perfect Valentine’s gift idea.


Funflector safety reflectors are thin, soft and lightweight and make  great gifts and a-little-somehting to gift all seasons of the year.
With the signature color matching ball chains, the funflector safety reflector can be hung in many places, zipper pulls on bags and jackets, on strollers and wheelchairs.
Love your dog? Giv it a dangling safety reflector on its collar to help drivers see it.
Love your kids? Give them a safety reflector (or two) for their backpacks and jackets so the early morning school bus driver can see them clearly. College students need reflectors too!
Love your mom? Give her a safety reflector for her purse or jacket.
Love your grandpa? Give him a safety reflector for his walker or jacket.
Love coffee? Give yourself a coffee themed safety reflector!
Because it is better to be seen than sorry…
Happy Valentine’s Day!  ❤️

Thoughtful Valentine’s Gift Idea ❤️ Read More »

Stocking Stuffers for Physicists

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This is a tricky one: Stocking stuffers for physicists and science buffs, especially those geared towards cosmology and subatomic (particle) physics. What do you do when your geek friends don’t want any more science kits and own all the cool/fun/silly T-shirts, tea mugs and mousepads from red bubble, cafepress or sazzle?

Particle Zoo funflector safety reflectors are ideal stocking stuffers for physicists, astronomers and cosmologists.
Particle Zoo funflector safety reflectors are ideal stocking stuffers for physicists, astronomers and cosmologists.

Particle Zoo Stocking Stuffers for Physicists

Fortunately, graphic designer Julie Peasley combined her interest for cosmology, the quantum world and theoretical physics with her design talent and created the line of Particle Zoo plushies. The felt creatures reflect the personalities of the various particles in a fun and educational way and are as much fun on the distinguished professor’s desk as in the class room. The Particle Zoo line has since expanded to magnets (who would not want to play with Feynman diagrams on their fridge door???), pencil pouches, buttons, greeting cards and reflectors! The reflectors, you can of course buy in the funflector webshop. They are perfect gifts and stocking stuffers for hard working students, grad students, engineers, teachers and professors who get home from work after sunset. For everything else, go to the Particle Zoo website.  Just don’t forget to say hi from the funflector team!

Pencil or makeup pouches from ParticleZoo, $15.
Pencil or makeup pouches from ParticleZoo, $15.

Relativity Watch

Although a bit over budget, we could not resist this cool Einstein Relativity Watch for $43 at 3B Scientific! What do you think, will those who use it be on time or not? And if so, where?

Tired of your friends being late? Give them an Einstein relativity watch and they might be on time - or not?
Tired of your friends being late? Give them an Einstein relativity watch and they might be on time – or not!

Stocking Stuffers for Physicists Read More »

Wicked Witch Hat Halloween Safety

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20 days until Halloween! It’s time to order reflectors for everyone whose safety you care about. Choose anything from a wicked witch hat or a scary skull and crossbones to a handsome ghost.

Halloween safety poem - funflector - fun Halloween safety reflectors
A black cat or wicked witch hat, a skull, a ghost or a flying bat?

Halloween

To be scared is fun when it’s just for a night,
but returning to life is for the bright.
Be bright enough for drivers to see
what along the road could be
a goblin, a witch or ghost on the run
out Trick-or-Treating just for fun.
Your alter ego is easy to protect
with a few fun things that reflect.
The choices are many, the price is low
no reason funflectors to forgo.
A black cat or wicked witch hat,
a skull, a ghost or a flying bat?
Pick one, pick two or even three,
a cool reflector for safety is key!
Reflect yourself and your style,
wake up next day with a smile!

The funflector team
 
SaveSave

Driving in the dark
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Wicked Witch Hat Halloween SafetyRead More »

Wicked Witch Hat Halloween Safety Read More »

Come and Say Hello!

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We will be at a couple of festivals and fairs this fall. If you are in the Chicagoland area, please stop by, get some safety reflectors, learn something new and say hello!

Scandinavian Fest

September 7th, Vasa Park in South Elgin, 10am – 6pm

Celebrate your Scandinavian heritage or just enjoy good food, entertainment and Scandinavian gifts anyway. Get in touch with Scandinavian organizations in the Chicago area and shop unique goods and Scandinavian foods from over 50 vendors from across the U.S.A. The festival features Scandinavian entertainment from folk music and dance to ABBA, pony rides and face painting and hopefully as much sunshine as previous years.

Scandinavian Fest at Vasa Park drew visitors from near and far.
Scandinavian Fest at Vasa Park drew visitors from near and far.

Chicago’s Green Metropolis Fair

September 14, Lake View High School, Chicago, 10am-4pm

Green Metropolis Fair 2014
Green Metropolis Fair, September 14

Evanston Green Living Festival

September 27, Evanston, 9am-3pm

The Evanston Green Living Festival is an annual community event presented by the Evanston Environmental Association  (EEA) and the City of Evanston. The festival is held at the Evanston Ecology Center and provides a venue where local organizations can present their green products, services and ideas to attendees who are looking for ways to lower their personal carbon footprint. This will be our first time exhibiting and we are excited to be part of it.

Warren Township High School Craft Fair

November 1st, Gurnee, 9am-3pm

Warren High School Band Booster in Gurnee organizes a huge craft fair early November each year.  Not only was it a good show last year, students also provided a phenomenal service and wheeled all our reflectors and displays to our booth. We are excited to be returning  as the Band Booster celebrates its 20th fair!

Student helpers at the Warren Booster Craft fair in Gurnee, 2013
Friendly student helpers at the Warren Booster Craft fair in Gurnee, 2013

Julmarknad at the Swedish American Museum

December 5-7, Chicago

The Julmarknad (Christmas Market) is our “holiday trip to Sweden” or as close as it gets. Swedish Lucia, music, food (meatball open face sandwiches!), baked goods (lussekatter & Princess Cake!) and Swedish related merchandize and hand made items. Don’t miss this weekend!

funflector® reflectors is one of many types of stocking stuffers you can find at the Julmarknad at the Swedish American Museum in Chicago.
funflector® reflectors is one of many types of stocking stuffers you can find at the Julmarknad at the Swedish American Museum in Chicago.

Come and Say Hello! Read More »

More Fun at Tivoli in Copenhagen

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Before the summer is over, we want to share some more fun from Tivoli Gardens, the century-old amusement park in central Copenhagen, Denmark. We’ve already talked about the rides and interesting architecture.  Something else that was different from any American park we’e been to was the work on sustainability.

Sustainability

Tivoli is located in the heart of Copenhagen, across the street from the main train station (Hovedbangard) and with a plethora of bus stops and bike racks surrounding it. Copenhagen is after all one of the most bike friendly cities in the world, and local Tivoli visitors take advantage of it. We had a smooth quiet commuter train ride from southern Sweden, over the bridge, passed the Copenhagen airport before arriving in central Copenhagen. It’s a totally different experience than riding the diesel train from the suburbs to Chicago.  (At the airport, the train stops right under the check-in area!)

Tivoli reusable coffee/soda/beer mug with a 5 DKR deposit.
Tivoli reusable coffee/soda/beer mug with a 5 DKR deposit.

When ordering a coffee, I was first a bit shocked to have to pay five Danish crowns (almost one US dollar) for the cup. However, it turned out that I got the money back when I returned the mug to a refund machine. They used the same cups for hot and cold drinks, including beer, saving on litter and waste. The refund system also turned out to be a great source of income for the kids while they were waiting for the concert to begin. After a couple of beers, many on the concert lawn gladly let the kids collect the mugs.
Ben and Jerry's Ice cream at Tivoli :)
Ben and Jerry’s Ice cream at Tivoli 🙂

Good Food

Our teen and her friend waiting for fish and chips. It turned out to be well worth the wait.
Our teen and her friend waiting for fish and chips. It turned out to be well worth the wait.

While enjoying some wild rides at American amusement parks this year, even my kids wanted to go back to Tivoli Gardens for food and snacks (and for rides of course). Tivoli has both decent fast food and restaurants on their premises. For the meal included in our “Puls Pakke” tickets, we picked Fish & Chips. That might not sound so special, but the Chips (French fries) were organic and freshly made and the fish was simply delicious! Soda came of course in the recyclable mugs…

We had to try some Danish “aebleskiver”, apple slices. The fact that they are round like doughnut holes and don’t have a hint of apple in them doesn’t seem to bother the Danes whatsoever ;). But they were very yummy!
At the waffle bakery, we bought some Danish aebleskiver (apple slices). They had not a hints of apple and not very slice like either, but they were delicious!
At the waffle bakery, we bought some Danish aebleskiver (apple slices). They had not a hints of apple and not very slice like either, but they were delicious!

Music

There is more music than the Champagne Gallop at Tivoli. Friday night rock concerts are included in the ticket price and we enjoyed the 30 Seconds to Mars concert that June night. The ten minute drizzle while waiting for the music to begin, was soon forgotten.

30 Seconds to Mars with lead singer Jared Leto at Tivoli Copenhagen in June 2013.
30 Seconds to Mars with lead singer Jared Leto at Tivoli Copenhagen in June 2013.

Thirty Seconds to Mars at Tivoli Copenhagen in June 2013.
Thirty Seconds to Mars at Tivoli Copenhagen in June 2013.

Wow, what a day! The 15 minute wait for the train home at 1AM felt like an eternity for tired kids and mom, but we’ll be back some day!

Thumbs up and big smiles! We had an amazing day at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen.
Thumbs up and big smiles! We had an amazing day at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen.

The funflector team, roller coaster test division 😉

More Fun at Tivoli in Copenhagen Read More »

New Rides in the Old World

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Did you know that Walt Disney modeled the Magic Kingdom after the century old Tivoli in Copenhagen? In the space of a couple of city blocks, old fashion carousels are layered with modern and stomach turning roller coasters and rides. They are interleaved with parks, a concert hall, an aquarium, an amazing variety of quality food places and ice cream parlors. As  we spent last summer in southern Sweden, my kids insisted our replacing our annual trip to Six Flags Great America with a trip to Tivoli. With “Puls Pakke” tickets (entrance, rides and one meal) for 329 DKR ($60) bought online, we set out to enjoy ourselves for the day (and night). As an extra bonus, Friday rock concerts are included in the ticket price and 30 Seconds to Mars did a great concert that June night.

Rides

The rides are layered and interleaved. It saves on endless walking and makes it easier to manage kids who want to go on different rides. But it does make it hard to find a place to shoot interesting photos. Here are some of the fun rides we tried.

Tivoli Odin Express is not as innocent as it might look. It's fast paste and surprising turns are beyond the expected.
Tivoli Odin Express is not as innocent as it might look. It’s fast paste and surprising turns are beyond the expected. The back seat is the best (worst).

Star Flier at Tivoli, 80 meter (260ft) tall gives you a great view of Copenhagen at 70 km/h (45 mph). Decoration on top is a nod to Tycho Brahe, a Danish astronomer in the 16th century.
Star Flier at Tivoli, 80 meter (260ft) tall gives you a great view of Copenhagen at 70 km/h (45 mph). Decoration on top is a nod to Tycho Brahe, a Danish astronomer in the 16th century.

Bumper cars are always fun and when the cars are this richly decorated it is even fun to watch the kids go a second round.
Bumper cars are always fun and when the cars are this richly decorated it is even fun to watch the kids go a second round.

Architecture

Buildings are carefully designed to fit in and although the space is tight, they have managed to create an airy feel. Both old and modern ones have interesting details, reminiscent of their time. The stylized green and yellow leaves decorating the wall of the Tivoli Concert Hall give away that it was build in the 1950’s. The railing carries the tune of the popular Champagne Gallop by Hans Christian Lumbye, the first music director and widely popular in-house composer for Tivoli.

The Tivoli Concert Hall is decorated with Lumbye's Champagne Gallop.
The Tivoli Concert Hall is decorated with Lumbye’s Champagne Gallop.

Detail of Tivoli Glass Hall
Detail of Tivoli Glass Hall

The Woodhouse built in 1997 for the Valhalla Castle ride, today used for a restaurant. Designed by architect Søren Robert Lund.
The Woodhouse built in 1997 for the Valhalla Castle ride, today used for a restaurant. Designed by architect Søren Robert Lund.

Copenhagen sky is still bright past 10 pm on midsummer eve.
Copenhagen sky is still bright past 10 pm on midsummer eve.

OMG, the blog post quickly got very long, so let’s save some yummy food, music and everything else we wanted to show you for another time.
So long & hav en dejlig dag!
Elisabeth

New Rides in the Old World Read More »

Gifts for Musicians and Music Teachers 🎁

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Three middle school kids can result in a flurry of activities. Weekends are filled with soccer and little league baseball games. Week nights are busy with choir, band and orchestra rehearsals and performances. Last weekend, we had the pleasure to be blown away by the Highland Middle School musical “Hello Dolly” and “The Sound of Music” at the Chicago Lyric Opera. It’s also a season when it’s time to come up with fun, clever and personal gifts for dedicated teachers and hard working graduates.

Awesome Gifts for Music Teachers and Musicians

We’ve collected a few gifts for music teachers, music graduates and music directors. The treble clef safety reflector is something all music lovers need as concerts and rehearsals often end long after sunset. Pair that with the most perfect thank you note and you are all set.

Treble clef funflector® safety reflector - thoughtful gift for musicians, music teachers and music lovers!
Treble clef funflector® safety reflector – thoughtful gift for musicians, music teachers and music lovers!

Heavy Metal Rock Band

How fun isn’t this heavy metal rock band, and we love that it is made with reused pieces!

Heavy metal rock band - available at uncommon goods.com
Heavy metal rock band – available at uncommon goods.com

A T-shirt every Cellist Needs

Silly questions require silly answers. Here is the T-shirt every cellist needs.

Do you play the cello? Nope... - T-shirt can be found at cafe press.com
Do you play the cello? Nope… – T-shirt can be found at cafe press.com

Cosy Tea Mugs for Musicians

Big handmade mugs for coffee, tea or soup. There are even musical designs at the bottom of the mugs. Great for a slow breakfast after performance nights or to cuddle up with in the couch and your favorite music.

Colorful handmade mugs with musical notes from notonthehighstreet.com
Colorful handmade mugs with musical notes from notonthehighstreet.com

 Gift card

A gift card is not as personal, but sometimes a better option than filling peoples’ homes with “stuff”. Consider a a gift card from a local music venue to be used towards conserts, or one from you local music store to be used towards instrument repairs or sheet music. In addition to being a useful gift, it gives much needed support to organizations and small businesses in your community.

A gift certificate is always a welcomed gift for music teachers and musicians.
A gift certificate is always a welcomed gift for music teachers and musicians.

The Most Perfect Thank You Note!!!

The other day, we found the most perfect thank-you note!  When shopping at  our favorite gift store for musical gifts, the CSO gift store in Chicago (On East Adams, just around the corner from the Symphony Center on 220 S Michigan Ave), we also help support a phenomenal orchestra. The cute card is perfect as is or with a gift card and/or a funflector® treble-clef reflector!

Thank you note with funflector G-clef reflector goes with any gift for music teachers and musicians.
Thank you note from the CSO gift shop with funflector treble clef reflector


 Elisabeth
# ps.  almost forgot the footnote for those of you who want to look sharp… 😉  🎶

Foot Notes socks from The Music Gifts Company
Foot Notes socks from The Music Gifts Company

Gifts for Musicians and Music Teachers 🎁 Read More »

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