1. Fika
It's a verb, fikar (to fika), and a noun, fika, and it's a mindset where there is always time for coffee and sweet things.
2. Candles
Sweden really is great at being cozy. Lighting a candle with fika, dinner, or lunch is really commonplace, and candles are for sale everywhere.
Translated to "drying room," I don't know how to explain this unique feature of my housing accommodation... It's a room in the basement where you can dry your sheets, kind of like a walk-in dryer. It's amazing and makes your sheets so dry and crispy.
4. Swedish Pastries and Cakes
I was going to write "kokosbollar" and then I realized there are so so many more pastries that I enjoy and will attempt to recreate at home. Kokosbollar are the perfect after-school treat, but Princesstorta is by far the most heavenly dessert I've ever had the pleasure of tasting, and Kladkaka is every chocolate lover's dream come true. Jordgubbesrulle and variations with other fruits are the perfect combination of fresh fruit flavor (or jam) and cream.
I feel terribly shallow including this, but this department store is Swedish Nordstrom, but better and less exorbitantly expensive. They also carry Muji, which is great for cheap, high quality, good looking school supplies.
One thing I will not miss...
Swedish doors. For some reason, many doors (including those in public buildings) are set up so that they are locked at all times, so you have to unlock it from the inside before opening it. You have to turn the lock while turning the handle to open it. I have made a fool of myself so many times. And it's impossible to open a door with your hands full.
