Swedish Christmas Traditions and Decorations
This year I have been mulling over the idea of family, the comfort of home, our essential selves and roots of tradition. When it came time to decorate my house for Christmas, I chose to honor my Swedish roots and educate myself on Swedish Christmas Traditions and Decorations.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you decide to purchase any of these resources, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Many items photographed will be linked below.
Tonya Dalton once said, “Traditions aren’t about adding more to your busy schedule, they’re about filling your time intentionally.”
Living life intentionally, what a beautiful concept. We are given a short time on this earth, and there never seems to be enough time in the day. I’m choosing to make that time count. I’m choosing to have purpose in my schedule, conversations, content creation, and yes… and even my Swedish Christmas decorations.
I wish you a happy, healthy holiday season filled with nothing but peace. I encourage you to choose intention stillness. Be still with the family; with the Holy Spirit. Be still and remember the reason for the season. Be still and cherish the beautiful lives and many blessings we are given. Merry Christmas!
1. The Advent Star
The star is meant to represent the Star of Bethlehem, and is lit on the first Sunday of Advent. Advent means arrival, or coming. Since the 5th century AD, it has been known as the beginning of the Christmas season and the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Since the 1890s, Swedes have lit a candle every Sunday during Advent. You may remember this tradition from church services.
Read more about the birth of Jesus in Matthew 2.
I recently learned Swedes don’t turn the advent star off until January. What an excellent reminder of the reason for the season. Our Advent Star(s) were purchased at Ikea. You can find them HERE.
2. Christmas Greenery
December in Sweden is bleak and grey. In Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost town, the sun will set on December 10th and will not rise again for another ten days. Now that’s darkness. Due to this dreary weather, Swedish Christmas requires a touch of green. Wreaths are often in the shape of a heart and are hung on the inside and outside of all doors.
Anything to bring a little light and life, am I right?
Fun fact: Swedes also buy hyacinths for Christmas. The flowers are planted in advent candle holder tins, and are meant to bloom in time for Christmas. I saw this tradition on display in my favorite TV show, Call the Midwife. Now I understand the meaning behind the episode!
3. Straw Ornaments
If I have learned anything about Scandinavian traditions these past weeks it is that Swedish Christmas is full of straw. In addition to straw wreaths, pigs, and goats, many Swedes decorate their trees with straw ornaments.
Traditional ornaments come in a variety of traditional shapes including several varieties of angels, stars, pine cones, pigs and goats. The golden straw is typically bound with red string. Our straw ornaments were used to accent the garlands we have throughout our home and I found them at a boutique store in my hometown Lindsborg, KS! You can also find them on Amazon HERE.
Now, golden straw isn’t the only ornament to grace the tree. Other common decorations include woven paper hearts, strings of Swedish flags, Dala horses, and lit candles. That last one makes me a little nervous. Not sure why we aren’t worried about the house burning down, but to each his own.
4. Tomte
The modern version of Santa Claus may be gaining traction in Scandinavian countries, but there are still many areas that celebrate the tradition of the ‘Tomten.’ The traditional Swedish Christmas gnome or ‘jultomte’ is a solitary, mischievous creature responsible for the welfare of the household and farm.
Tradition says that if the Tomte is ever offended, he could play pranks on the livestock and household. An example would be binding all cows’ tails together or turning things upside down or breaking valuables.
Per Skandium.com, “It is believed that a clean and orderly home or farm is an indication that a domestic tomte spirit resides there… His presence is very much cherished by city dwellers and country folks alike, as it is fortunate to have an able tomte in ones home.” In order to repay the Tomten for looking after their home, the homeowner leaves a bowl of Christmas porridge with butter out on Christmas Eve.
There are several adorable books about the Tomte for children, such as The Tomten or The Tomten and the Fox by Astrid Lindgren or The Tomtes’ Christmas Porridge by Sven Nordqvist
5. Hygge Living
Technically a Danish tradition, the practice of Hygge living has saturated most Scandinavian countries. Hygge is a word that encompasses a feeling of coziness, contentment and well-being by enjoying the simple things in life. Hygge is meant to be felt. It about creating intimacy and a comforting sense of togetherness. The holidays are a time when we gather together with family. Sure, they can be stressful, but they don’t have to be so.
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Plain and simple. What an incredible blessing, that our Lord and Savior came to this earth to seek and save the lost. Christmas is not about presents or the perfectly decorated home or a carefully balanced schedule.
The Hygge heart is full of grace and joy. It’s about tending to others while caring for ourselves. Balance and living life the slow way. To learn more about Hygge Living (or what I call Hygge and the Holy Spirit Living) check out the book, The Hygge Life: Embracing the Nordic Art of Coziness Through Recipes, Entertaining, Decorating, Simple Rituals, and Family Traditions.
Have I said Hygge enough?
6. Jul Goat
The Julbock/Jul Goat has its origins in pagan tradition with connections to the Norse god Thor, whose chariot was drawn by goats. However, the goat is now known to be a mischievous, rowdy figure, sometimes demanding gifts and other times giving them. It’s a symbol of the cheer of the Christmas season.
Something I did not know was a Swedish tradition to hide secretly the Julbock in a neighbour’s house. When the family discovered the goat, their task was to hide it in someone else’s home as an ongoing prank! How funny.
7. Subtle Decor
Scandinavian Christmas decorations are subtle, and this includes wrapping. Per tradition, gifts are wrapped simply and the giver will often attach a limerick or poem to hint at what is inside the package.
Anyone else have trouble writing limericks? Just me?
Like I mentioned before, it’s important to remember the reason for the season. Allow me to quote one of the best Christmas stories of all time, The Grinch, “It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!” Christmas comes with or without the fancy wrappings, and I love that Scandinavian tradition celebrates this simplicity.
8. Straw Pig
Going back to the 19th century, pigs were popular as farm animals. Some families only owned one farm animal. Christmas is a time of celebration, and the pig would serve as the center of every Julbord (Christmas buffet) as a Christmas ham.
The Holidays may be one of the only times people could indulge and eat fresh meat. Therefore the ham/sausage are staple components of every Swedish household’s Christmas feast.
The straw pig is a symbol of prosperity for the new year as well as a good reminder to be thankful for our many blessings.
9. St Lucia
The tradition of St Lucia can be traced back to the martyr St Lucia of Syracuse who died in 304. St Lucia was a young Christian girl who was killed for her faith. The most common story I have heard about her is that she would secretly bring food to the persecuted Christians in Rome, who lived in hiding in the catacombs under the city. In order to free her hands for carrying things, she would wear candles on her head. The name Lucy actually means “light.”
In my hometown of Lindsborg, KS there is a St. Lucia selected from the High School seniors every year. She walks through town with a literal crown of candles on her head and serves ginger cookies and cider to people. What I love about this tradition is that it reminds us to be generous to those who are less fortunate than us, even if it costs us something. I mean, wearing a crown of lit candles is not easy or super safe.
Sources:
https://www.skandium.com/blog/legends-of-the-tomte/
https://www.purewow.com/home/swedish-christmas-traditions
https://sweden.se/culture-traditions/advent/ & my Family.
Thank you for reading about my families Swedish Christmas Traditions and Decorations. For more content, check out the following:
Anderson Family White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies
How to Have a Hyggeligt Holiday Season
101+ (Mostly) Practical Stocking Stuffer Ideas
My Favorite Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Recipe
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Love Always,
