Holiday Traditions of Sweden

"Merry Christmas"

Christmas Traditions in Sweden

The biggest and longest holiday of the year in Sweden is the magical celebration of Christmas. The excitement begins on the first Sunday of Advent with the lighting of the first Advent candle. Each subsequent Sunday leading up to Christmas, another candle is lit, symbolizing the growing anticipation for the holiday.

Lucia Day - December 13

The feasting and celebrations begin on December 13 with Lucia Day, which, according to legend, is the longest night of the year when man and beast require extra nourishment. Lucia, the Queen of Light, is chosen from homes, schools, clubs, and other groups. She is dressed in a white gown with a crown of candles in her hair. Lucia brings coffee, rolls, ginger biscuits, and sometimes "glogg" (a mulled wine) to those around her, accompanied by attendants dressed in white. The girls wear glitter in their hair, and the boys wear tall cone-shaped hats adorned with stars. As they serve the treats, they sing traditional Lucia carols.

The Swedish Christmas Tree

The Swedish Christmas tree is typically brought into the home just one or two days before Christmas. It is beautifully decorated with colorful candies, glass ornaments, straw trinkets, and lit with either electric lights or candles.

Christmas Eve Celebrations

The pinnacle of the Swedish Christmas celebrations is on December 24, Christmas Eve. This is a day dedicated solely to last-minute preparations and enjoying time with loved ones. No work is done except for feeding livestock and preparing the famous Swedish "Smorgasbord." The traditional dishes include ham, jellied pigs' feet, "lutfisk," and rice porridge. "Lutfisk" translates to "lye-fish" and is soaked in lye to soften it. The rice porridge, made with cream, sugar, and cinnamon, holds a special tradition: the person who finds a whole almond hidden inside the porridge is expected to marry within the year.

Tomte - The Christmas Elf

After the meal, the "Tomte," a Christmas elf, makes his appearance. Tomte lives under the floorboards of homes or barns, looking after the family and livestock throughout the year. On Christmas Eve, he often brings gifts to the children, who in return leave him a dish of porridge to enjoy during the night.

Christmas Day Church Service

In keeping with tradition, Swedes attend church services in the very early hours of Christmas morning. In some places, as in the olden days, families may travel to church by horse-drawn sleigh. The ride sometimes turns into a race to the church, as it is believed that the first person to arrive will have the best harvest in the coming year.

Knut's Day - January 14

The Christmas spirit lingers in Sweden until January 14, known as Knut's Day, the official day to discard the Christmas tree and devour any edible decorations that remain. For children, this is a fun occasion where they sometimes dress up as "Old Knut," play practical jokes, and chant as they toss the old tree into the snow, promising to reunite with a new Christmas tree in the coming year.

Holiday Traditions in Sweden

Video by KitKatzDesigns

Traditional Swedish Holiday Recipes

Lutfisk (Dried Fish in Lye)

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs dried whitefish (traditionally cod)
• Water for soaking
• 1 tablespoon lye (for curing)

Instructions:

1. Soak the dried fish in a large container filled with cold water for 6-8 days, changing the water daily.
2. Dissolve the lye in water and soak the fish for 2 days in the lye solution, ensuring the fish is fully submerged.
3. Remove the fish from the lye solution and soak it in cold water for another 4-6 days, changing the water daily.
4. To cook, place the soaked fish in boiling salted water for 20-25 minutes, until it flakes easily.
5. Serve with boiled potatoes, white sauce, and a sprinkling of ground allspice or mustard.

Swedish Meatballs (Köttbullar)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons butter (for frying)

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with milk and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, onion, egg, allspice, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the breadcrumb mixture and mix well until combined.
4. Shape the meat mixture into small, 1-inch meatballs.
5. Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and fry the meatballs until golden brown on all sides, about 7-10 minutes.
6. Serve with lingonberry sauce and mashed potatoes.

Swedish Rice Porridge (Risgrynsgröt)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup short-grain rice
• 2 cups water
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 whole almond (optional)
• Ground cinnamon and sugar for serving

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, bring the rice and water to a boil. Reduce the heat and let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Add the milk, cinnamon stick, and salt to the pot. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, until the rice is soft and the mixture thickens, about 30-40 minutes.
3. Stir in the sugar and remove the cinnamon stick. Add the whole almond if desired.
4. Serve warm, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. The person who finds the almond in their serving is said to marry within the year!

Glogg (Swedish Mulled Wine)

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle (750 ml) red wine
• 1/2 cup vodka or aquavit
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup blanched almonds
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 6 whole cloves
• 4 cardamom pods, slightly crushed
• Peel of 1 orange

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan, combine the wine, vodka, raisins, almonds, sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom pods, and orange peel.
2. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Do not let it boil.
3. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat and let it steep for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
4. Strain the mixture and reheat gently before serving warm. Serve with additional raisins and almonds in each glass.

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