Our Magical Swedish Christmas Traditions + Food

Want to learn about the Swedish Christmas traditions? Maybe you’re moving to Sweden, or are simply fascinated with all things Scandinavian and want to incorporate it into your own holiday traditions.

Either way – you’re in the right place. I grew up in Canada with a Swedish family, and we continue to on many of the Swedish Christmas traditions from our heritage.

In fact, it wasn’t until I was in school that I realized that my Canadian friends celebrated Christmas completely differently from how I did! Now, as a mom with kids of my own, I do a mix of Swedish and typical ‘Canadian’ traditions over the holidays with my kids.

The Swedish traditions for Christmas are so lovely that I have a feeling that even my kids will want to carry on some of these traditions into their own adult lives. I love the way Sweden does Christmas, and I’m excited to share this part of Swedish culture with you.

Whether you’re looking to adopt some aspects Swedish Christmas into your own holiday celebrations, or simply trying to learn more about Sweden – I’ve got you covered.

Key Words to Know for Swedish Christmas

Whether you want to learn Swedish or not, here is some of the key vocabulary that is crucial to understanding the aspects of Swedish Christmas

Everything will make more sense if you know the words.

• jul– Christmas
• God Jul! – Merry Christmas
• glögg – mulled wine
• tomte – Swedish santa
• pepparkakor – gingerbread
• Lucia – St. Lucia, who is celebrated in Sweden at Christmastime
• gris – pig (julegris is eaten for Christmas dinner)
• ljus – lights, or candles

Pro Tip: Christmas Eve (julafton) is the main event of Christmas in Sweden, not Christmas Day as it is in most English-speaking countries.

Swedish Christmas Traditions

Here is what you will find the Swedes doing in their homes to get ready for Christmas

1. Lighting advent candles

Advent is an important part of Scandinavian Christmas in general. Swedish advent candles are known as julstjärna (which actually means Christmas star.) One candle is lit for every Sunday leading up to Christmas Eve.

So, the first Sunday, only 1 of the 4 candles is lit – and stays that way until the following Sunday, when you light the next candle.

Sometimes instead of 4 candles, you’ll see a wooden pyramid 7 candles. The beautiful pyramid of 7 candles is often placed in people’s windows and look so pretty from both the inside and out.

2. Hanging a star in the window

It’s very common in Swedish homes to hang a star in the window. These stars are made of paper, held together with wire, and have a small lightbulb inside.

I finally bought one of my own a few years ago at the Swedish Christmas fair in Toronto, and it has illuminated our kitchen window ever since. You can reuse them year after year; even though they’re made of paper, they rarely seem to get old.

3. Drinking glögg

Leading up to the holidays, the Swedes start drinking glögg (mulled wine.) It’s typically drank in a small glass, (think shot-glass size) and we add raisins and sliced or diced almonds to it.

Usually the raisins and almonds are sitting out with litte spoons, and each person adds the amount they prefer to their glögg.

Glögg or mulled wine has become very popular in North America too in recent years, but I often see people drinking it out of large glasses or cups which is not the traditional Swedish way. Glögg has always been in small cups for us. If its not enough, we simply re-fill 🙂

There are different variations of glögg, and mulled wine in general. My grandparents used to make their own glögg completely from scratch, using red wine, vodka and spices. But nowadays, you can buy a bottle of glögg mix from IKEA, and all you have to do is mix red wine and boil it and then you have glögg. This is what we do now.

When I went to Vilnius, Lithuania with my husband, we discovered they had their own version of glögg where they added sliced oranges to it, and sometimes orange liquor. I decided to start incorporating that into our glögg at home, it adds a really nice flavour.

4. Swedish Christmas baking

Part of what I love about Swedish Christmas, (much like North American Christmas) is that its as much about the lead-up as the main event. We bake several kinds of Swedish Christmas goods that are only typically made around Christmastime:

• pepparkakor – gingerbread (Swedish gingerbread is paper thin, and in my opinion, better tasting than regular gingerbread. It tends to be less spicy)
• bullar – which means ‘buns’ but by this, we mean cinnamon buns
• Lussekatter,- S-shaped buns made with saffron and raisins (the name literally means ‘Lucia’s cats’) Its not clear why they’re called this, but some suggest it could be because the bunks look like a rolled up cat

There are many other traditional Swedish baked goods, of course – but the three I mentioned above (Swedish gingerbread, saffron buns, and cinnamon buns) are the most common ones that you always see.

5. Lucia processions

Lucia choirs and processions is one of the coolest, and also weirdest Swedish Christmas traditions. Lucia is based on St. Lucia, who lived in Italy during the Roman times.

Lucia has been worshipped in Sweden for hundreds of years, and official celebrations around it becan just over 100 years ago. Lucia is celebrated for bringing light to the darkest day of the year, on December 13th.

Typically, a teenage girl wears a crown with candles – she is the “Lucia.” The red sash around her waist symbolizes the blood, from when she was killed. She’s accompanied by a choir, of girls and boys dressed in white nightgowns.

There are special Lucia songs that are sang, and these songs are considered Christmas songs as well. Lucia and Christmas tend to go hand in hand.

Swedish processions, performed by children between 4 and 18+ are held all over Sweden, on dates around the 13th. You can search on YouTube and see many examples. If you’re in Stockholm around the Christmas season, you can look into Lucia processions that are held there.

I grew up singing in a Lucia choir connected to the Swedish community of Toronto, and we sang Swedish Christmas songs, and carried candles.

6. Tomten – the Swedish Santa

Tomte is the Swedish version of Santa. He is basically a gnome, like what you’d think of a garden gnome – long beard, big nose, oversized hat.

Gnomes have become so popular in North America in the last few years, because they’re cute. But I’ve known them to be a part of Christmas my whole life, known as “the Swedish Santa.”

Traditionally in Sweden, the Tomten lives on the farm and looks after the farm animals when the family is sleeping. He makes himself scarce, and no one sees him – but they know he’s there.

The kids leave porridge (tomtegrött, which means Santa porridge) out for him, and he is said to leave presents under the tree at Christmas.

Our house is always decorated with little tomtens. My mormor used to read me a story called Christmas on Tomten’s Farm.

7. Listening to Swedish Christmas music

There are many, many Swedish Christmas songs. For a small language, its actually amazing how many Christmas songs they have. Some are old, and some were only created in the last couple decades.

Some of them are songs you’ve heard of but translated into Swedish, such as:

• Stilla Natt (Silent Night)
• Bjällerklang (Jingle Bells)

Swedish songs tend to sing about:

• the darkness and cold of winter
• the bringing in of light and warmth
• Lucia
• the birth of Jesus (even though most Swede’s aren’t very religious anymore)

I grew up with the house being filled with the sounds of these songs; my grandparents had many Swedish Christmas cassette tapes and CDs.

There are some cheerful songs, but a lot of them have a sombre, haunting melody.

The BEST Swedish Christmas songs (that I would recommend adding to your Christmas playlist) are:

• Hej, Mitt Vinterland (more upbeat and cheerful)
• Jul, Jul, Strålande Jul (beautiful and haunting – one of my favourites)
• Låt Mig Få Tända ett Ljus (has a sad melody, makes me miss my Swedish grandparents – but such beautiful melody and lyrics)

You can find many of these songs on Spotify or YouTube, and many of the lyrics are posted online.

8. Having ‘Santa’ visit on Christmas Eve

So, here’s the Swedish Christmas tradition that made me the envy of all my friends at school (and my kids, at their school.)

In Swedish Christmas. the kids get to see and visit with Santa on Christmas Eve. He comes into the house, sits down, hands out presents!

To be honest, I don’t know if everyone does this, but most Swedes I know have celebrated this way. The “Santa” that visits is jultomten (a larger version of the small little gnome-like tomte) and its usually just a family member dressed up in a suit.

9. The ‘main’ celebration being Christmas Eve

In Sweden, Christmas Eve is the main event. Opening presents on Christmas morning, like in North America, isn’t a thing.

A family gathering with a feast and all presents are exchanged and opened on Christmas Eve amongst Swedish families. We drink glögg (mulled wine) in the afternoon, with nuts and raisins. We have a huge feast for dinner (julbord, which is the Swedish Christmas dinner table), and then open our Christmas gifts afterwards.

As a kid, I felt so lucky being able to open all my gifts on Christmas Eve instead of having to wait until morning like my friends.

9. Watching Donald Duck

Yes, you read that right. Watching Donald Duck (“Kalle Anka”) has been a phenomenon in Sweden since 1960. It’s become an unspoken rule that the whole family sits down to watch Donald Duck in Swedish on Christmas Eve.

It’s not even necessarily always a Christmas episode of Donald Duck, just a regular one.

This wasn’t something we ever did in our home, because my grandparents had immigrated to Canada before the tradition started.

Swedish Traditional Christmas Food (Julbord)

I’ve already gone over some of the Swedish baked goods and drinks that fill our homes with that warmth and holiday spirit. But these are the things you will find on the julbord (Swedish Christmas dinner table)

1. Julegris

Gris means “pig.” So, julegris means Christmas pig, and it’s the traditional Swedish main dish for Christmas dinner.

Technically, its juleskinka (Christmas ham), but I’ve heard it referred to as both. As a vegetarian, I haven’t tried the juleskinka since I was a child, but its a must for a traditional Swedish Christmas dinner.

2. Mushroom/spinach with egg mix

There’s always this egg omelet with mushrooms and spinach (omelett med svamp och spenat.) I look forward to it every year – the spinach part is my favourite.

3. Smoked salmon

My mom can never go without smoked salmon at Swedish Christmas dinner!

4. Köttbullar (meatballs)

Kötbullar are meatballs. Sweden is famous for their meatballs, and of course, they are usually apart of the Christmas dinner feast. Often, Swedish meatballs are eaten with Lingonsylt (lingonberry jam.)

5. Tönbröd

Tönbröd means ‘thin bread.’ My mormor used to make it all the time. Open-faced sandwiches are big in Sweden, and at Christmas we typically spread butter and/or cheese on the bread.

I came to learn recently that “dopp I grytan” is a tradition that consists of dipping your bread in broth or gravy. But personally, I can’t remember us ever doing this.

6. Janssons frestelse

Jansson frestelse (Janssons temptation in English) is a casseole of are baked French fries! It’s very commonly eaten in both Sweden and Finland at Christmas. We typically just call them ‘janssons.’

Jansson typically includes fish, so it isn’t suitable for vegetarians. I never liked them personally, but my mormor used to make them every single year for Christmas and they were a hit for everyone else!

7. Tomtegrött

Tomtegrott is Santa Claus porridge. It’s rice and milk based, with sprinkled cinnamon and/or brown sugar. Sometimes there’s berries too. It can be a breakfast or a dessert (I ate both as a child growing up)

8. Julmust

Julmust is a carbonated beverage drank at Christmastime. It was invented in 1910 by a Swedish chemist, and its sold in either cans or bottles every year at Christmas in Sweden.

Swedish Christmas Decorations

Swedes usually keep things simple when it comes to decorations, but there are still many decorations that come out around the holidays, and add that Christmas touch to our homes. You can look for some of these items as a souvenir from Sweden to add to your home at Christmas

Garland

The garland in Sweden is very thin, as opposed to the very thick garland that you can buy in North America. It can be put around the christmas tree, hung around railings.

Hanging star

You know its a Swedish or Scandinavian family if you see the white-paper star hanging in the window at Christmas.

Swedish flags

If you’re in Sweden any time of year, you’ll notice that Swedish flags are used for many year-round celebrations. they’re put on birth day cakes, they’re used for midsummer, and Christmas too. My grandparents had a garland with little Swedish flags to wrap around the tree.

Little tomtens

Little tomtens are a classic decoration in the Swedish household at Christmas, and I see them becoming more mainstream in North America too.

Lucias

Lucia is VERY big part of Swedish Christmas, so you’ll see a lot of Lucia-based decorations and handicrafts that are sold or used around the holiday season.

BEST Swedish Christmas songs

Search for these songs on YouTube or Spotify asap. Listening to them will add so much calmness, joy and beauty to your home during the Christmas season

Upbeat and cheerful:

• Hej, Mitt Vinterland (Hello, my winter wonderland)
• Nu ha vi ljus här i vårt hus (Now, we have lights)
• Hej Tomtegubbar (Hey, Santa men) *this song reminds me so much of my morfar!

Sombre, haunting and beautiful:

• Låt Mig Få Tända Ett Ljus (Let me light a candle)
• Adventstid (Advent time)
• Jul, Jul, Strålande Jul (Christmas, Christmas, glorious Christmas)
• Så Mörk är Natten (So dark is night)

Swedish Christmas FAQ

Here are the most commonly asked questions about Swedish Christmas

What is Santa called in Sweden?

Santa is called “tomte” in Sweden, and he looks basically like a garden gnome. There are many, many tomte decorations, songs about tomten, and tales about him hiding on the farm or in the wilderness, looking after farm animals and keeping an eye on things.

What are Christmas traditions in Sweden?

There are many Christmas traditions in Sweden, as its a very Christmas-loving holiday. There are Saint Lucia processions, Swedish Christmas songs, baking things like pepparkakor and lucikattor, drinking glögg, and lighting candles for advent

What is a symbol of Sweden Christmas?

There are many symbols for Swedish Christmas. Lucia, tomtens, advent candles, Christmas star, apples, and gingerbread pig.

What is Swedish Christmas must?

There is a Swedish Christmas drink called julmust. It’s a carbonated drink that comes in a can, and reminds me a little bit of cherry cola.

How do Swedes say “Merry Christmas”?

God Jul is “Merry Christmas” in Swedish. You could also say God Helg (Happy Holidays.) For New Years, they say Gott Nytt År (Happy New Year.)

What do Swedes leave for Santa?

In Sweden, children leave tomtegrött (Santa Claus porridge) for Santa. It’s a rice porridge, with rice and milk as a base and it usually has cinnamon sprinkled on top

Do Swedes watch Donald Duck Christmas?

Many families in Sweden turn on Kalle Anka (Donald Duck) on Christmas eve, a tradition that took off around 1960.

Final Thoughts on Swedish Christmas Traditions

I hope that you had fun reading about the Swedish Christmas traditions. Many of these traditions can be sprinkled throughout your home to add a Scandinavian Christmas flair. Whether you visit Sweden in summer or winter, you will be able to find some of the key goods that are crucial for creating a Swedish Christmas, such as: saffron and other ingredients, and traditional decorations. God Jul!