Sweden's Unique and Colorful Christmas Traditions

Christmas in Sweden is a festive time full of celebrations and meaningful traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. Even in ancient times, this was a time of great joy and celebration. Today, the Swedish celebrate with a unique and colorful combination of old and modern customs. From baking delicious sweet treats to decorating the home for the season, here's a look at some of the most beloved Swedish Christmas traditions.

Lucia Day – Saint Lucia's Day

One of the most iconic Swedish Christmas traditions is Lucia Day, or Saint Lucia's Day, which is celebrated annually on December 13th. On this day, each family will choose one woman to represent Lucia, the Santa Lucia, who wears a long white dress, a red sash, and a wreath of candles on her head. The Santa Lucia leads a procession of children, singing traditional songs and holding lit candles. The candlelight symbolizes hope during the dark winter season, and the Lucia Day celebration marks the beginning of the Advent season in Sweden.

Famnträd – Tree of Lights

Another symbolic tradition is the Famnträd, or Tree of Lights. This is a tall tree decorated with hundreds of candles, which is set up on the village square or in front of the church. On Christmas Eve, the tree is lit and the local community gathers around it to sing Christmas carols. This tradition dates back to the 1700s and is a beautiful celebration of the holiday spirit.

Delicious Christmas Treats

No Swedish Christmas would be complete without the traditional baked goods. One of the most popular treats is the lussekatter, a type of sweet roll made with saffron, sugar, and raisins. They are shaped in the form of a curled letter “S” to symbolize the light of Christ. Other popular treats for the season include julmust (a non-alcoholic malt beverage), gingerbread, cinnamon rolls, and kringlor (a type of sweet pretzel).

Decorating the Home for the Holidays

In Sweden, Christmas decorations are usually put up a few weeks before Christmas. Traditional decorations include straw stars, Christmas lights, paper garlands, and wreaths of evergreens. Of course, one of the must-have decorations for Swedish homes is a Julbock, or Yule Goat. This is an ancient Scandinavian symbol of the holiday season that is still popular today.

Julklappar – Christmas Gifts

Traditionally, Swedish families exchange gifts on Christmas Eve. It is also common for family members to draw secret numbers from a hat or bowl. On the day of the party, each person will give their gift to the person whose number they drew. This ensures that everyone gets a special surprise, and it makes the gift-giving process easier and more exciting.

Concluding Thoughts

Christmas in Sweden is a beautiful and meaningful time of year to be celebrated. With so many unique and colorful customs, it's no wonder why this is such a beloved holiday in Sweden. From baking delicious treats to decorating the home to exchanging gifts, there's something for everyone to enjoy and cherish during this special season.

Swedish Christmas Traditions Decorations Food Markets