How to Celebrate a Swedish Style Christmas
Christmas in Sweden is the biggest and the longest holiday, the celebrations begin with Advent and the fun and frolic lasts almost two months.
Christmas time in this country is considered not only a traditional ritual, but a break from the dark of winter. Swedes have a carol whose lyrics tell of wishes for Christmas to last all the way until Easter. Since it is not possible for the celebrations to last that long, the Swedes have compromised and celebrate for the entire month of December and half of January. December also marks the beginning of almost constant invitations to Advent gatherings with friends and family.
Here are some handy hints to celebrate Christmas the way the Swedes do.
A few suggestions
- Every Sunday, Advent onwards, light a candle on an advent wreath made of a stick that is decorated with white lichen and papier-mâché mushrooms or red berries.
- Begin the celebrations with the Saint Lucia ceremony, which takes place on December 13th. Legend says this is the longest night of the year and a time when man and beast need extra nourishment. The Swedish holiday ceremony is held in her honor.
- Have the oldest daughter of the family put on a white robe with a red sash and wear a crown of evergreens with tall-lighted candles attached to it. Allow her to be followed by the ’star children’, ‘bakers’ or ‘bridesmaids’ while she wakes you up in the morning and serves you ‘Lucia buns’ and coffee.
- Do not bring the Christmas tree into the home until one or two days before Christmas. Take care to decorate it with gaily wrapped candies, glass bulbs and straw trinkets or with electric lights or candles.
- Christmas Eve is the big day in Sweden so this is the day when no work is done except feeding the livestock and last minute preparations for the Christmas meal.
- The Christmas feast ‘Smorgasbord’ includes dishes such as ham, jellied pigs feet, lye-fish (fish soaked in lye to make it soft and palatable) and rice porridge cooked with loads of cram, sugar and cinnamon and one whole almond.
Do’s
- Leave a bowl of porridge for ‘Tomte’, the elf, who brings the children presents.
- Attend church in the very early hours of Christmas morning.
Don’ts
- Do not throw the Christmas tree away till January 14 - Knut’s Day when you eat up all the edible tree decorations before discarding it.