Christmas in Sweden - Part 1: Magical Traditions of the North
Hej and welcome! We're Thorsten and Tamara, and together with our rescue dog Teddy, we’re spending the winter in northern Sweden. During our visits to the far north, we’ve gathered countless impressions. We've compiled our experiences and adventures for you and put them on paper.
The Scandinavian lifestyle has inspired us to embrace mindfulness and a more conscious approach to everyday life. Especially during the Christmas season and at the end of the year, it’s important to take breaks, reflect on the year, and gather strength for new small and big everyday adventures. Christmas is, of course, all about good food, relaxation, and moments of peace. But often, in the midst of preparations for the big celebration and the end-of-year rush, we lose sight of that. Instead of slowing down, we often find ourselves speeding up.
With our blog, we want to give you a small moment of calm. Get comfortable and let the Christmas magic of Sweden work its charm on you.
Christmas Decorations and Traditions in Sweden
Light and Darkness
Is it ever too early for Christmas?
In northern Sweden, the lights are turned on. With the end of daylight saving time in late October, many households usher in the coziest time of the year by starting to decorate for Christmas. To make the dark hours of the year as pleasant as possible, fairy lights are strung in gardens and on houses, and nearly every window glows with a small light. Strolling through the charming streets of northern Sweden, you might even spot a small illuminated Christmas tree here and there.
For some, this might seem too early in October, but the long nights make every additional source of light a welcome joy. Winter in northern Scandinavia naturally brings less daylight, as it gets dark very early. While in November, just 80 km south of the Arctic Circle, you still enjoy about five hours of sunlight, by mid-December, it’s reduced to just three hours. Compared to Svalbard, the northernmost inhabited region in the world, this feels almost bright. On Svalbard, the polar night lasts from November until mid-January.
The darkness in northern Sweden is a chapter of its own. But it’s not just the long nights that can be challenging; the biting cold adds another layer. Temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius and below are not uncommon, even in December. Personally, we cherish this special time, as the darkness and cold have a charm of their own. However, when the sky is wrapped in a gray blanket of snow for days or even weeks, the mood can become as dull as the weather. On such days, one longs for cozy light or even a few rays of sunshine. The sparkling lights on houses and in gardens become tiny beacons of hope, bringing a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.
In these moments, there’s hardly anything better than wrapping yourself in a blanket after a long walk and enjoying the soothing warmth of a fireplace. The dancing flames cast a fascinating play of light and shadow into the darkness, captivating your gaze and making you lose all sense of time.
These small moments of pause give us a profound sense of calm, from which we can draw new strength and energy.
Cozy, Atmospheric, and Natural
During the Christmas season, coziness is an essential part of Scandinavian everyday life. There are many simple ideas to bring a touch of Scandinavian flair into your own home.
When invited to a home in northern Sweden, you are immediately enveloped by a truly special atmosphere. Often, candles or torches line the snowy path to warmly welcome guests. When temperatures are favorable and well below freezing, enchanting ice lanterns can be crafted. These lanterns reflect the gentle candlelight in fascinating patterns. Not only are ice lanterns a stunning sight, but they are also easy to make yourself. All you need are two buckets of different sizes, water, and a stone for weight. After just a few hours in the freezing cold, you’ll have your very own magical winter decoration.
In addition to such creative winter projects, Scandinavian homes also stand out with their loving details. Entering one of these cozy wooden houses, you immediately notice the difference. Many doors are adorned with wreaths made of fir branches, often tied with a red ribbon—a simple decoration that is easy to recreate.
The nature right outside your door offers endless possibilities for creating beautiful and unique decorations. Small twigs, moss, lichen, pinecones, or even uniquely shaped stones—all these natural materials bring personality and creativity to the table. But it’s not just shades of green that create a natural and cozy Christmas atmosphere. Dried apple and orange slices make for original tree ornaments and can often be reused for years. This combination of natural elements and sustainability perfectly embodies the Scandinavian lifestyle that fascinates us so much.
Have you ever thought about decorating your Christmas tree with cookies?
Pepparkakor – More Than Just Cookies
Pepparkakor are crispy, thin cookies that fill the air with the quintessential Christmas aroma of ginger, cloves, and cinnamon as they bake. Whether homemade or store-bought, these cookies make excellent natural—and delicious—Christmas decorations. Hung on the tree with a decorative ribbon or used as part of a gingerbread house, the possibilities are endless. And who doesn’t love sitting under the tree at Christmas, sneaking a little nibble while unwrapping gifts?
Fun fact: If you break a Pepparkaka (the singular form of the Swedish gingerbread cookie) into exactly three pieces, it is said that you get to make a wish.
These cookies have even made their way to American supermarkets, where they are sold under the name “Swedish Wish Cookies.”
Wichtel, Jultomte, and Scandinavian Christmas Magic
Christmas is the season of giving. In Sweden, presents are traditionally handed out by Jultomte on December 24th. Jultomte is a blend of a Scandinavian figure and the modern Santa Claus. Christmas folklore also includes many stories about the little helpers of Jultomte. Nisse and Tomte are small Christmas gnomes who assist with the preparations.
Traditionally, Nisse (in Denmark and Norway) and Tomte (in Sweden) are little household spirits who live on farms and in homes. They take on a positive and protective role, ensuring the well-being of both humans and animals. It is said that one should avoid upsetting them, as they can turn mischievous and cause trouble. During Christmas, they are seen as cheeky helpers who enjoy playing a few pranks. For the holiday, they like to be treated to a bowl of rice pudding to ensure good fortune for the household in the coming year.
To invite a Nisse into your home, there is a charming tradition, especially popular during the Advent season. A small decorative door is placed on the wall or skirting board, symbolically serving as the Nisse's entrance to the house. It is believed that the Nisse becomes active at night when everyone is asleep.
Whether you believe in such stories or not, one thing is certain: these little beings bring a wonderful sense of magic and joy to the Christmas season. And since you’re never too old for imaginative tales, we’ve also placed a tiny Nisse door in our little Swedish house.
Saint Lucia – Sweden’s Festival of Lights
On December 13th, all of Sweden celebrates Lucia Day. This Christian feast day commemorates Saint Lucia of Syracuse, a martyr from the Sicilian city of Syracuse. According to legend, she brought food at dawn to Christians hiding in Roman catacombs, lighting her way with a crown of burning candles on her head.
Lucia heralds the return of the light. In the Julian calendar, the shortest day of the year fell on December 13th. Today, however, the winter solstice is dated December 21st. The modern tradition of celebrating Lucia Day only became established in the 20th century. Each year, on December 13th, the Swedish television network SVT broadcasts the Lucia morning concert, recorded at a different location annually.
In an atmospheric setting, the day of Saint Lucia is celebrated with music and song. For practical reasons, events are often held in the evening nowadays. Schools, nursing homes, and churches transform into concert halls filled with glowing lights, as choirs sing Swedish Christmas songs.
Many girls dream of being Lucia, leading the procession of singers. Even today, Lucia often wears a crown of real burning candles. The glow of real candles is, of course, incomparable to LED candles, though the latter are likely a safer option for robes and hair. Lucia is accompanied by singing girls dressed in white robes with red sashes, followed by boys dressed as star boys or gingerbread men. Small children often join in wearing Christmas elf costumes.
This year’s broadcast for 2024 took place in Sala. We enjoyed the concert cozily from the sofa with friends. Even though we’re not churchgoers at all, the concert created a wonderfully atmospheric experience. We were particularly moved by the sound of the nyckelharpa (keyed fiddle), Sweden's national instrument, which has been on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2023.
Alongside Lucia, the symbol of light, there’s another figure that plays an important role during the Christmas season.
The Julbock – What Does a Goat Have to Do With Christmas?
The Julbock, a straw goat, is a characteristic symbol of Christmas in northern Europe.
The goat has its origins in Norse mythology: Thor, the god of thunder, traveled through the realms in his chariot, pulled by his two goats, Tanngnjóstr (Tooth-Gnasher) and Tanngrisnir (Tooth-Grinder). To this day, the goat remains a symbol of power and fertility.
In the past, the Julbock was responsible for delivering Christmas presents. The goat has left its mark in songs and Swedish literature, offering us a glimpse into the Christmas traditions of the late 19th century.
Whenever I see a straw goat, it brings back fond memories. As a child, decorating the Christmas tree with my grandmother was always a highlight. The small stars and straw Christmas goats were a must every single year.
Since 1966, with the beginning of Advent, a special tradition has taken place in Gävle: the construction of the largest Julbock in the country. The Christmas goat is handcrafted each year, taking hundreds of hours to build and earning a spot in the Guinness Book of Records. Standing 13 meters tall and 7 meters long, the massive goat weighs an impressive 3 tons.
But it’s not just its size that makes it remarkable. The stories surrounding the goat and the many attempts to destroy it have become part of its legend. Over the years, the goat has remained completely unscathed only 15 times. Most years, people have found increasingly creative ways to bring it down. Although destroying the goat is a criminal offense, it has sparked a competitive spirit over the decades.
In its very first year, 1966, the goat was set ablaze on New Year’s Eve. Many more acts of destruction followed, as fire has often been the goat's undoing. One year, the Julbock burned down during its construction phase. In another, it was reduced to ashes just six hours after its unveiling. The flames have consumed it on Saint Lucia’s Day and even on Christmas Day. At one point, flaming arrows were shot at the goat. But fire isn’t the only method that’s been used to destroy the Gävlebock. Over the years, there have been movie-worthy escapades that are almost amusing to picture. The goat has been run over by a car, torn apart, and even became the target of a planned helicopter heist—which was foiled at the last moment.
In response to these cunning and creative attacks, the city of Gävle has developed new measures to protect the goat each year. Security guards, surveillance cameras, fireproof coatings, and fences are just some of the precautions. Today, there are even two versions of the Julbock for added security. Yet, all these measures have their weaknesses. Fences can be climbed, cameras can be hacked, and security guards can’t watch everything.
Most recently, in 2021, the Julbock was destroyed again. The perpetrator was caught and faced a hefty fine of 100,000 SEK (equivalent to just over €9,000 at the time) and a six-month prison sentence.
Will the Julbock survive unscathed this Christmas? We’ll be watching the Julbock livestream from Gävle to find out.
But before we slowly come to the end of the first part, there is one more Swedish Christmas tradition that must not be forgotten.
3 PM in Sweden? It’s Donald Duck Time!
On December 24, 1959, the TV show "Donald Duck and His Friends Wish You a Merry Christmas" (Swedish: "Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul") was broadcast for the first time. Since then, this special program has become an irreplaceable tradition in Swedish households. At 3 PM on Christmas Eve, everyone gathers in front of the TV to get into the Christmas spirit with Donald Duck and his friends. And honestly, who doesn’t love Donald Duck?
We hope you enjoyed reading and found a moment of calm to immerse yourself in Sweden's Christmas traditions and customs. Who knows, maybe this article has inspired you to experience Northern Europe and its traditions for yourself someday? Tell us: what fascinated you the most? We’d love to hear your thoughts and wish you a magical and cozy winter season in advance!
Stay tuned for part two of our series “Christmas in Sweden”! In the next blog, we’ll dive into Swedish delicacies and how to prepare them. Simple and delicious—perfect for the winter season! From Julbord and Glögg to stuffed eggs and Janssons Frestelse, let yourself be inspired and bring the taste of Scandinavia into your kitchen.
With love,
Thorsten, Tamara & Teddy
Musste gestern an euch denken, als die Frau im Spielzeugladen nach Türchen für Tomte gefragt hat – und dann schreibt ihr diesen Blog. :-) Schöne Weihnachten!
Hoi Tamara
Wirklich schön und toll geschrieben👌. Ja im Winter ist es wirklich schön im Norden, wir kommen sicher wieder.
Ich finde es wirklich klasse wie man sich am Heiligabend um 15 Uhr trifft um sich die Sendung gemeinsam anzuschauen und sich auf Weihnachten gemeinsam einstimmt.
Ich wünsche Euch eine schöne Zeit im tief verschneiten Schweden und schöne Festtage🎄❄️☃️
Liebe Grüsse Christa
What a wonderful article. I am looking forward towards experiencing it. The lights, the coziness, the relaxation and the quiet moments to calm down and look for / feel peace within myself.
From my house to yours, sending love and warm wishes for the Christmas season. 🫶🏻☃️🎄
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