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CHRISTMAS

Swedish parents fuming over toy knuckledusters

Parents in Sweden are fighting mad over a set of knuckledusters marketed to children in a Christmas toy catalogue that boasts the faux weapon is "perfect for a pretend fist-fight".

Swedish parents fuming over toy knuckledusters
Parents are upset over these knuckledusters. Screenshot: BR Leksaker
Among the hundreds of playthings featured in the annual Christmas catalogue distributed by Swedish toy retailer BR Leksaker is a set of toy knuckledusters, also known as brass-knuckles.
 
And a number of parents are none too happy about it.
 
"I'm totally outraged. It's the description that gets me, that it's perfect for pretend fist-fights – it's sick," parent Vicky Wallin told the Aftonbladet newspaper.
 
Another parent, Martina Karlsson, questioned whether the toy, which features plush spikes for "increased range" should even be called a toy.
 
"Knuckledusters are really only for fighting," she told the paper.
 
"I'm never going to shop at BR Leksaker again."
 
A spokeswoman for Top Toy, that Danish firm that owns BR Leksaker, seemed unaware that the knuckledusters were available for purchase on the Swedish toy store's website.
 
"I didn't know that we had this. I not aware of all the weapons we have," Top Toy's Anne Dorte Jörgensen told Aftonbladet.
 
"I'm not sure of the reason we're selling this."
 
With a list price of 59.90 kronor ($9), the plush knuckledusters are made of foam, but have a finish that makes them appear like they are made of metal.
 
They are recommended for children that are eight-years-old and up.
 
This isn't the first time Top Toy's catalogue has generated controversy in Sweden. Last year, the distributed a "gender neutral" catalogue picturing boys holding baby dolls and banishing girls from the dolls pages.
 
The move, while generally welcomed in Sweden, generated headlines abroad, including criticism from observers in the UK who called the decision "bizarre".
 

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CHRISTMAS

Thousands more families in Denmark seek Christmas charity

A significant increase in families have sought Christmas help from the Danish Red Cross compared to last winter.

Thousands more families in Denmark seek Christmas charity

Higher process for food, electricity, gas and fuel are being felt by vulnerable families in Denmark, driving more to apply for Christmas packages offered by the Red Cross, broadcaster DR writes.

The NGO said in a statement that more people than ever before have applied for its Christmas help or julehjælp assistance for vulnerable families.

While 15,000 people applied for the charity last year, the number has already reached 20,000 in 2022.

“We are in an extraordinary situation this year where a lot more people have to account for every single krone to make their finances work,” Danish Red Cross general secretary Anders Ladekarl said in the press statement.

“For many more, their finances no longer work, and this is unfortunately reflected by these numbers,” he said.

The Red Cross Christmas assistance consists of a voucher worth 900 kroner redeemable at Coop stores or, in some stores, a hamper consisting of products.

READ ALSO: These are Denmark’s deadlines for sending international mail in time for Christmas

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