Christmas time in Sweden!

There are so many wonderful Swedish traditions around Christmas time! It is so much fun to be here and witness all the unique customs. Some things may be Scandanavian and others generally European and some for just this area, but this is what I have learned...and please keep in mind that this is probably just a portion of it, I learn new things every day.

These are some of the popular holiday drinks- Julmust and Glögg. Julmust tastes like a flat Dr. Pepper (sort of). Glögg (pronounced like glug) tastes like a cider. It is common to drink the Glögg along with raisins and nuts in your cup. Then you scoop those out with a spoon.

Another very popular item sold in every single store is "Pepparkakor". 

The best gingerbread cookies by far! They come in many shapes. 

Stars and heart shapes are common.

Swedish custom says that you can place a Pepparkakor in your hand and make a wish. 

Using your thumb or index finger, tap the cookie in the middle. 

If the cookie breaks into 3 pieces then your wish will come true!

Don't be fooled, the items below are not for Valentine's Day. Some Christmas decor can 

look more like something for Valentines...but it's not.

It is very common for a Swede to have certain things in their home at this time of year.

Stars are hung up by the windows.

(the photo above is of a light shop that sells stars)

These are some of the stars hanging in my living room!

You will also see plenty of these candle trees in almost every window.

"Jultomten", a Christmas Elf. "Jul" means Christmas and "Tomten" means elf. In Sweden there is now a blend of the old traditional Jultomten with the American/German Santa Claus. So these two figures are somewhat used interchangeably.

The straw goat is a centuries-old Scandinavian Yule symbol that preceded Santa Claus as the bringer of gifts to Swedish homes. Many Swedes place a small straw goat underneath their Christmas trees, or hang miniature versions on the branches.

Below is a picture of my tree, decorations courtesy of Ikea!

These are in all the bakeries....the Marsipangris. 

This is marzipan shaped like a pig. It is a symbol of good luck.

The buns below are known as "Lussebullar". They are named after St. Lucia Day...

see below for more info.

"Spettakaka" are also in all the stores but probably more popular in southern Sweden 

where they originate. I personally did not really care for the taste.

I am including this photo (below) of my friend Michelle and I because it shows the 

cutely decorated candy shop behind us all ready for the holidays.

These are my advent candles. The first advent happens the first Sunday of December. That is when you light the first candle. On second advent you light the first and second candle. On third advent you light the first three candles and so on. "Advent" means waiting. Waiting for the birth of Jesus Christ. 

Photo below shows my advent candles on my dining table. 

St. Lucia Day is December 13th. This is the official kick-off day to the Christmas 

season and the day associated with the Italian martyr. 

The following is courtesy of another website to help explain it...

The celebration comes from stories that were told by Monks who first brought Christianity to Sweden.

St Lucia was a young Christian girl who was martyred, killed for her faith, in 304AD. The most common story told about St Lucia is that she would secretly bring food to the persecuted Christians in Rome, who lived in hiding in the catacombs under the city. She would wear candles on her head so she had both her hands free to carry things. Lucy means 'light' so this is a very appropriate name.

December 13th was also the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, in the old 'Julian' Calendar and a pagan festival of lights in Sweden was turned into St. Lucia's Day.

St. Lucia's Day is now celebrated by a girl dressing in a white dress with a red sash round her waist and a crown of candles on her head. Small children use electric candles but from about 12 years old, real candles are used!

The crown is made of Lingonberry branches which are evergreen and symbolise new life in winter. Schools normally have their own St. Lucia's and some town and villages also choose a girl to play St. Lucia in a procession where carols are sung.

A national Lucia is also chosen. Lucias also visit hospitals and old people's homes singing a song about St Lucia and handing out 'Pepparkakor', ginger snap biscuits.

Small children sometimes like dressing up as Lucia (with the help of their parents!). Also boys might dress up as 'Stjärngossar' (star boys) and girls might be 'tärnor' (like Lucia but without the candles).

A popular food eaten at St. Lucia's day are 'Lussekatts', St Lucia's day buns flavoured with saffron and dotted with raisins which are eaten for breakfast.

The photo below was taken during the St. Lucia celebration for the students at my 

kids school.  It was held at the church across the street.

Christmas Eve is Swedens biggest day. 

The day may begin with "Risgrynsgröt" which means rice porridge. You would put an Almond in the porridge before being served, the unmarried daughter who got the Almond in her serving would be likely to be married during the next year (similar to catching the bride’s bouquet).

 Historically, most Swedish people were farmers and it is told that a little house elf (hustomte) was living on every farm to help the farmer with the animals and keeping the farm safe (like Dobby from Harry Potter). The night before Christmas it was crucial that you would place a bowl of Risgrynsgröt with a dollop of butter in it for the house elf. Failure to do so would result in the house elf causing all sorts of mischief on the farm and release the animals.

On Christmas Eve at 3pm the excitement begins with Donald Duck hour or what is known as "Kalle Anka"!!! Yes, that is right!!! Everyone in Sweden sits down to watch an hour of Disney cartoons. Many years ago this was the only day Swedes could get cartoons on TV and then the tradition stuck. Once that is over then dinner can soon begin. "Julbörd" is what they call this Christmas smorgasbord. It is a meat lovers paradise! The meal will certainly consist of some of the following...herring, salmon, salami, ham, meatballs, sausages, ribs, and then you will also have potatoes, hard boiled eggs, brussel sprouts, bread followed by coffee, chocolates and pepperkakor. Rice pudding will usually be served as well unless it was served that morning for breakfast. Photo below is off the internet. 

After the feast, "Jultomten" or Christmas Santa (could be a neighbor/friend in disguise) comes to bring presents to the children. It is on this night that the gifts are all opened.

January 13th is the day known as "Julgransplundring" or Christmas plundering. This is the day everyone takes down their tree and all their decorations...but first they have to plunder the tree which means they find all the hidden candies that are stored in them and gobble them down.

God Jul och Gott Nytt År!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!