Uncover the Unique Christmas Tradition in Sweden
If you want to spend this Christmas in Sweden and want to know more about the prevalent Christmas tradition in Sweden, you are not alone. However, to make your trip enjoyable, you must get accurate information. Though the internet is stuffed with articles that boast of providing only accurate data, not all of them tend to be reliable.
In this aspect, we stand apart from our counterparts as we work tirelessly to bring to you only the genuine info that would help you in more ways than one. We are not one of those who push climbers without knowing where the mountain is. Readers rely on us blindfolded because they know we handpick every piece of information, even if it is a trivial one, to make your journey content.
We make our readers aware of different cultures and traditions, besides the best way to get there, the food they should taste, and most importantly, the places they must not miss to explore.
Celebrating Christmas in Sweden
The spirit of Christmas tradition in Sweden begins in November only, and most of the time it coincides with the time when this place starts changing into a winter paradise. Visitors who walk down the streets come across lots of decorative window lights. They also notice star-shaped cut-outs of papers that emit an atmospheric light.
Christmas in Sweden is also associated with the electric Advent candle. Swedes begin counting the days from the 1st of December and go on till Christmas using an Advent calendar. They consider every four Advent Sundays to be social events and mark them by lighting new candles in a 4-candle candelabra.
Enjoying Seasonal Treats
During Christmas tradition in Sweden, the Swedish Christmas markets remain abuzz with seasonal treats that are held across Sweden, and all of them possess their characteristics. If you visit Sweden during Christmas, don’t forget to browse through the practical items and gifts that local artisans sell. A few worthwhile purchases you can make are handcrafted objects that are made in ceramic and wood. Again, you will also come across sheepskin slippers and knitted mittens.
Julafton
Spending Christmas in Sweden suggests visitors will get to know about many unusual traditions of this country. They will also get a golden opportunity to taste sumptuous food and be a part of “togetherness.” Julafton falls on the 24th of December, and it is the chief day to celebrate this festival.
In this Christmas tradition in Sweden activity, families unite and indulge themselves in a big Christmas feast, also acknowledged as Julbord. This is a buffet-style meal that features traditional Christmas dishes of Sweden, such as smoked salmon, meatballs, pickled herring, Janssons frestelse, and sweets.
Jultomten
In Christmas tradition in Sweden the Swedish Santa is called Jultomten, and visitors who visit Sweden on Christmas Eve find him handing over presents. The presents that Joltomten brings are called julklappar. Jultomten is a Yule or Christmas gnome who looks different from other gnomes found in the folklore of Sweden.
Tomten, or Jultomten, is unlike the American Santa Claus, as the latter makes his presence at night only. You might find Joltomten knocking at your door and inquiring if there is a child at home or not, so that he can distribute gifts. Most often, Joltomten is described as wearing a red hood and having a white beard.
Sometimes, he is also seen in a red suit. Jultomten gives away gifts to the children directly in place of leaving them aside, only to be discovered in the morning. This ritual is another significant Christmas tradition in Sweden.
The Strange Story of Lucia
Lucia is another name for St. Lucia’s Day in Sweden, which is celebrated on the 13th of December. Christmas tradition in Sweden is the only one that celebrates this ritual. This day marks the beginning of Christmas, and it is treated as a prized tradition that centers around hope and light. This festive event connects Swedes with their agricultural past.
The Legend That Follows
Saint Lucy was a young woman who was martyred in the fourth century for her immense faith in Christianity, and her name also means light. On this day, a girl is dressed as Lucia, and she dons a crown of candles and a pure white gown. Many starboys, handmaidens, and other people accompany Lucia, and they all sing different traditional songs. Many families take part in this ritual, and the eldest daughter of the family is given the responsibility to serve breakfast to the entire family in bed.
The Yule Goat of Sweden
Most often, the event Julbocken is displayed by an ornament of a straw goat. The obvious instance is the big statue of the Yule Goat in Gävle. The Gävle Goat is a thirteen-meter-tall goat that is created from straw, and it gets erected every year. This goat carries a history of getting vandalized before being burned down.
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The Christmas Markets
During Christmas tradition in Sweden visitors opt to visit Sweden during Christmas because of its delightful markets, and they offer a festive and joyous experience with different drinks, food, and traditional crafts. Typically, these markets feature enjoyable Swedish treats, including saffron buns, gingerbread cookies, and lots of mulled wine. If you are a lover of local crafts, you will not be disheartened, as Sweden will allow you to explore lots of them.
Some Popular Markets
When you celebrate Christmas tradition in Sweden , don’t miss the chance to drop at Skansen Christmas Market, which is located in Stockholm. This market offers everyone a glimpse into the Swedish Christmas celebrations, along with various crafts and food. Another popular market is the Gamla Stan Christmas Market, which is also located in Stockholm.
This market is popular for its traditional crafts, splendid cobblestone streets, and lovely seasonal treats such as glögg and pepparkakor. Liseberg Christmas Market is also a popular market that has a huge range of festive lights, stalls, and attractions. Every visitor also visits the Medieval Christmas Market to see traditional drinks and food, choir singing, and torchlight processions.
Some Swedish markets also feature carol singers, live music, and other entertainment features to improve the festive spirit of the visitors and residents who stay there. You can also hope to find special activities where you can take part actively, like dancing around a Christmas tree, sleigh and horse rides, and candle dipping.
Tomten Craft Making
If you find your students traveling across the globe, make them write a postcard that they can send to their families. This postcard craft is a vital part of the holiday traditions that are taught in the lessons of Sweden. Students travel to various classrooms and learn about the extraordinary rituals and holiday traditions they see across the world. In Christmas tradition in Sweden students create postcard crafts for every nation they visit before they stamp their passports.
Julotta
Julotta is an important part of the Christmas tradition in Sweden. Though church attendance has changed a lot in modern Sweden, no one ignores the tradition of Julotta, and it is still practiced in rural areas.
Although Julotta is supposed to be held before the crack of dawn, commonly around 7 am, some churches start this tradition at 4 am also. Earlier, people used horse-drawn sleighs to reach the church, and on the way, they passed snowy landscapes. At times, they also used torches to light their path. A post-service tradition that follows Julotta is people racing home from church, believing that the first one who reaches home will enjoy the best harvest.
The Custom of Julklapp
The word “Julklapp” has emerged from “Jul.” It means Christmas, whereas Klapp means tap or knock. According to the old tradition, people were supposed to bring presents for their neighbors.
To give away the present, they would knock on their doors, leave the present right on the doorstep, and then depart. From here comes the term Christmas tap or Julklapp. Hence, to practice Julklapp, you must bring presents to celebrate Christmas.
Preparing Rice Porridge for Santa Claus
Christmas tradition in Sweden follows the tradition of cooking rice pudding. Swedes believe in offering this dessert to Santa Claus instead of arranging milk and cookies for him. This porridge is served with a sweet red sauce that is cherished by both adults and children.
It is known for its soothing flavor and simplicity, and the remarkable aspect about it is that it is not found on the Swedish tables but also in the Christmas legends of the country.
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Celebrating Swedish Christmas Traditions
Attending a Christmas tradition in Sweden looks like a once-in-a-lifetime affair, as all the traditions are filled with uncommon customs. They blend cultural practices with the religious beliefs of the Swedes. Though many local customs are no longer prevalent in the country, every family claims to celebrate Christmas in its true color according to their liking and preferences.
However, the food people eat at Christmas is dependent on the part where they live or where they hail. Christmas in Sweden is highlighted by many unique traditions; hence, if you visit this country, be a part of these celebrations to form lifelong memories.
