Swedish winters are long, dark and cold. But during Christmas, Swedish homes are anything but dark and cold. This is the time when Swedes make great efforts in creating a warm and cosy atmosphere at home.
Lights and candles are important, often placed in windows to spread some of the warmth and brightness to those passing by outside. Christmas lights reflect in the snow-covered ground, snowflakes falling gently - a beautiful scenery.
Lights and candles are important, often placed in windows to spread some of the warmth and brightness to those passing by outside. Christmas lights reflect in the snow-covered ground, snowflakes falling gently - a beautiful scenery.
Many people have an "Advent candlestick" with four candles.
On the first Sunday of Advent you light the first candle, on the second Sunday of Advent you
light the first and the second candle, and so on, which means that on Christmas
Eve/Day the candles look like a flight of stairs.
In Sweden, like most other European Countries, the main part of Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve (in Swedish "Julafton"), December 24th.
In Sweden, like most other European Countries, the main part of Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve (in Swedish "Julafton"), December 24th.
As Christmas Eve approaches, Swedish homes are decked with all types of ornaments. There are candles, runners, wall hangings, Santa Claus figures and angles. Lingonberry and pine sprig garlands are hung on front doors and the centerpieces of the celebration - the Christmas tree - are fully decorated. And under the trees lie all the christmas presents. But that's not until after Christmas dinner....
Christmas Eve you usually
spend with your friends and/or relatives and eat Christmas food. Three o'clock
in the afternoon is sacred, though. Then every kid in the whole country sits
down in front of the TV to watch "Donald Duck & friends wishing you all
a Merry Christmas". Adults watch it too, pretending they're just doing it
for the kids, but in fact they like it as much as the kids do, they just usually don't admit it.
For all children, the true highlight of Christmas occurs after dinner as Santa Claus appears with a sack full of presents. Sadly, many dads tend to miss the event. Year after year, just about this time on Christmas Eve, they suddenly feel an urge to go and "buy the paper" or simply take a stroll alone outside. Yes, it certainly is a mystery...
God Jul!
