Advent – the countdown to Christmas
About four weeks before Christmas, the first Sunday of Advent kicks off the countdown to Christmas. That’s when people light the first candle in the Advent candlestick, a custom going back to the 1890s.
This is always a special event, eagerly awaited. Each Sunday until Christmas, a candle is lit (and blown out after a while), until all four candles are alight. And on each of these Sundays, many Swedes enjoy glögg – a hot, spicy mulled wine with blanched almonds and raisins – and pepparkakor (gingerbread biscuits).
With every Sunday of Advent, the children’s expectations grow. On the telly, there is a special Christmas calendar show for the young with 24 episodes that runs from 1 to 24 December. It, too, serves as a countdown to the big day.
The perfect Christmas tree?
A few days before Christmas Eve, Swedes venture forth to look for the perfect Christmas tree. This is a serious matter − the tree is the very symbol of Christmas, and it must be densely and evenly branched, and straight. If you live in a city or town, you buy the tree in the street or square.
Those who live in the country fell their Christmas trees themselves. Many Swedes believe − mistakenly − that their legal right of access to the countryside allows them to fetch a tree from the woods wherever they like.
Trees are decorated according to family tradition. Some are bedecked with flags, others with tinsel and many with coloured baubles. Electric lights are usually preferred to candles on the tree because of the risk of fire.
Homes are also decorated with wall hangings depicting brownies and winter scenes, with tablecloths in Christmas patterns, and with candlesticks, little Santa Claus figures and angels. The home is filled with the powerful scent of hyacinths.
At three o’clock, many Swedes turn on the TV to watch a cavalcade of Disney film scenes that have been shown ever since the 1960s without anyone tiring of them. Only then can the celebrations begin in earnest, some say.
FAQs
Christmas presents are under the lighted tree, candles shine brightly and the smorgasbord (or smörgåsbord, as it's written in Swedish) has been prepared with all the classic dishes: Christmas ham, pork sausage, an egg and anchovy mixture (gubbröra), herring salad, pickled herring, home-made liver pâté, wort-flavoured ...
Why is Swedish Christmas on the 24th? ›
In a nutshell, it goes back to the ancient ways in which the Nordic countries used to measure time and date. Sweden traditionally celebrates their holy days on the eve before what is known as the holy day. The 25th of December is actually a rather quiet day in Sweden.
What is Santa Claus called in Sweden? ›
In Swedish, Santa Claus is called Jultomten (pronounced: /jul-TOHM-tehn/).
What do Swedish people leave out for Santa? ›
So remember the Julklapp and bring the presents for the Christmas celebration. Rice Porridge for Santa: The Christmas rice pudding is a dessert, a very important one during Christmas. This is the one you leave out for Santa. So instead of leaving cookies and milk for Santa, you would leave rice pudding.
What is the Swedish word for Christmas? ›
Christmas (Swedish: jul, IPA: [ˈjʉːl]) is celebrated throughout December and traditionally until St. Knut's Day on January 13.
What happens on December 13 in Sweden? ›
Lucia's Day, festival of lights celebrated in Sweden, Norway, and the Swedish-speaking areas of Finland on December 13 in honour of St. Lucia (St. Lucy).
Is Yule a Swedish tradition? ›
For hundreds of years, people in northern Europe have had big festivals in December. These festivals are known as Yule. Those traditions became part of Christmas celebrations in places like Sweden.
What is Christmas dinner called in Sweden? ›
First thing first, the Swedish christmas food is called Julbord, that translates to christmas table. It's basically a smorgasbord with a few dishes that is only available during christmas. The julbord is available in many restaurants in Sweden from the end of november until christmas eve.
What is the Christmas symbol in Sweden? ›
A famous Christmas symbol in Sweden is the Yule Goat. The Yule Goat is a straw goat which is a symbol of Zeus' chariot goats. It is now a Christmas symbol. The most famous Yule Goat in Sweden is located in the town of Gävle.
How do Swedes greet each other for Christmas? ›
And as for other Christmas greetings in Sweden, the most important ones are “God Jul” (Merry Christmas) and “God fortsättning”, meaning “enjoy the rest of the holidays”.
One of the most popular dishes today is the Christmas ham. It was introduced in the end of the 1800's, and is traditionally covered with a crispy mustard crust. It's eaten chilled and sliced with a strong Swedish mustard on the side. Another mandatory part of the buffet is pickled herring and salmon.
What are the Swedish Christmas elves called? ›
A nisse (Danish: [ˈne̝sə], Norwegian: [ˈnɪ̂sːə]), tomte ( Swedish: [ˈtɔ̂mːtɛ]), tomtenisse, or tonttu ( Finnish: [ˈtontːu]) is a mythological creature from Nordic folklore today typically associated with the winter solstice and the Christmas season.
What is the Christmas event in Sweden? ›
In Sweden, the Christmas countdown begins with the celebration of Advent. Every Sunday on the lead up to Christmas, families light a candle on the Advent wreath to mark the passing weeks. The daily opening of Advent calendars provides an exciting treat for children, revealing small gifts for each day of December.
What is a tradition in Sweden? ›
Country-closing Midsummer Eve, celebrating the longest day of the year, is the big one. Other popular celebrations and holidays is Christmas, Easter and Kräftskiva. Days like cinnamon bun day, waffle day and 'Fettisdagen' (Shrove Tuesday) is also being celebrated throughout the country.
What is the traditional bird eaten on Christmas Day? ›
Turkeys have become a staple of the festive season, and it's hard to imagine a traditional Christmas dinner without one. In this blog, read on to learn about the unlikely history of the Christmas turkey and find out how it isn't quite as traditional a Christmas bird as you might think.
What is the traditional meal for Christmas? ›
Traditional Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Other types of poultry, roast beef, or ham, are also used. Pumpkin or apple pie, raisin pudding, Christmas pudding, or fruitcake are staples for dessert.
