The festival of Christmas in Sweden commences from 13th December, which is known as St Lucia’s Day. On this day the eldest daughter of the family is dressed in white robe to which is attached a red sash. She also wears a crown of evergreens with tall-lighted candles attached to it. The girl after getting dressed serves her family St Lucia buns and coffee. The other children of the family accompany her and the boys get dressed as star boys, that is they wear white shirts along with pointed hats.
The Christmas tree is adorned with lights, glass ornaments and tinsels. Julafton, or Christmas Eve dinner comprises of smorgasbord, or buffet with julskinka, or Christmas ham, pickled pigs feet, lutfisk, or dried codfish, and other types of sweets. The desert includes Risgryngrot, which is special rice porridge and an almond is hidden in the rice porridge. It is said that the person who would find the almond would get married the following year.
After the dinner a family member or a friend dresses up as a tomte or Christmas gnome that is the person gets dressed in a red robe, puts on a white beard and distributes gifts among the children. It is believed in Sweden that a little brownie known by the name of Jultomten helps Santa Claus to give presents to those children who have been good all through the year.
On the morning of 25th December all the churches of Sweden are lighted with candles for Christmas service. Learn more about the Christmas in Sweden from
Christmas Carnivals.
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