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
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”.
What does Sweden call Santa Claus? ›
In Swedish, Santa Claus is called Jultomten (pronounced: /jul-TOHM-tehn/).
What do Swedes 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 a fun fact about Sweden's Christmas? ›
A tradition throughout history in Sweden, and other surrounding countries, is the construction of a goat made out of straw. In the town of Gavle, Sweden, a giant goat was made and put in the middle of the town in 1966. Since then, each year citizens of Gavle enjoy viewing the giant Christmas goat.
How do Swedish people say hello? ›
For example, Hej, hej (“Hello, hello” ) or tjena, tjena (a more informal “Hello, hello”). Sometimes Swedes also repeat the greeting word twice when initiating a call. Hallå, hallå!
Why is Christmas on 24th in Sweden? ›
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 does Russia call Santa? ›
Unlike the bloated, red-coated father Christmas of the West, Russia's Santa Claus, known as Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost), is slender with a wizard-like flowing beard and he wears a long robe that comes in different colors, such as blue and white.
Is Krampus Santa? ›
Krampus, in central European popular legend, a half-goat, half-demon monster that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime. He is the devilish companion of St. Nicholas. Krampus is believed to have originated in Germany, and his name derives from the German word Krampen, which means “claw.”
What does tomte mean in Swedish? ›
Tomte, derived from the Swedish word “tomt,” or plot of land, literally means “homestead man.” If you've ever heard the beloved character referred to as a “nisse” it is likely in reference to a Norwegian variant of the mythological figure, as Nisse is a Norwegian nickname for the name Nils.
What food does Sweden eat on Christmas? ›
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 ...
In Sweden, Christmas presents are delivered by Tomten (which means “the Gnomes”). The tradition in Sweden is to leave porridge like this with a generous pat of butter in it.
What does Santa eat? ›
Santa loves all types of cookies. He has tried more than most people on Christmas Eve, but his favorite is a sugar cookie. Of course, of all the recipes he's tried, he likes Mrs. Claus' sugar cookies the best!
What is the Swedish Christmas animal? ›
In Sweden, people believed the Yule goat to be an invisible spirit that would appear before Christmas to make sure that the holiday preparations were done correctly. The goat eventually took on the role of a gift giver and is sometimes seen in place of or alongside Santa, who is called Jultomten.
What is Sweden's Christmas symbol? ›
A typical Swedish Christmas tree has decorations such as baubles, strings of lights and tinsel but also quite often straw figures and small Swedish flags. The Christmas goat is one of the very oldest Christmas symbols in Sweden and is often placed near the Christmas tree.
What is the Swedish Christmas prayer? ›
Swedish Christmas Prayer
that you, being rich, for our sakes became poor, that we through your poverty might become rich; that you have become our brother, that we with you might become the children of God.
How does Sweden say happy holidays? ›
Happy Holidays in Swedish: Trevlig Helg! Happy Holidays in Portuguese: Boas Festas! Happy Holidays in Turkish: Mutlu Bayramlar!
Is God Jul Swedish or Norwegian? ›
The Norwegian phrase God jul! is translated as 'Merry Christmas!. ' Literally, god means 'good' and jul means 'Christmas' or 'Christmastide. ' The word jul descends from the Old Norse term for the midwinter season festival, which evolved into 'yule' in the English language.
How do Swedes say happy new year? ›
The Swedish translation of 'Happy New Year!' is Gott nytt år!, which is pronounced /got nyt ohr/.
