The Swedish candles referred to in the English language are usually known as “Lucia Candles”. This is a reference to a Scandinavian holiday celebration that is held annually on December 13th in honor of Saint Lucia.
During this celebration, a procession is held in many towns featuring a “Lucia” wearing a crown of candles and candles are also used to decorate the table. The traditional candle arrangement features seven black candles interspersed with white candles.
Some of the more modern versions of the candles include white ones that have been shaped into different festive shapes such as stars, hearts, and circles. Over time, the lighted candles have become mascot of sorts for the holiday and are used as decorations across Sweden and in other Scandinavian countries as well.
Why do Swedes put candles in windows?
In Sweden, one of the most recognizable traditions during the winter months is the sight of flickering candles in the windows. This is a tradition for both rural and urban households that dates back many centuries.
The origins of the candle in the window tradition are varied, ranging from religious to superstitious. Some believe it began as a symbol of protection from malicious spirits. These spirits were believed to be part of a pagan belief system and the light from the candle was believed to ward them off.
Another popular theory is that the candle was lit to guide lost travelers on their journey to safety. During the winter months, when it was dark most of the day and nights, the light of the candle provided a beacon to guide travelers in need of shelter and a warm bed.
The most widely accepted interpretation is that the candle was lit in honor of Jesus’s birth. This practice of lighting the candle was meant to reflect the original light of the star that guided the three wise men as they journeyed to see the baby who would become known as Jesus Christ.
Today, more people may enjoy lighting the candle in a window to celebrate winter holidays, create a warm and cozy atmosphere, or simply to honor the tradition that has been passed down through generations.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear to see why the tradition of candles in the window has remained so popular, even today.
What are Swedish Christmas decorations?
Swedish Christmas decorations take many traditional forms and range from the lighthearted to the serious. Some of the more well-known decorations include straw goats, paper hearts, glossy red stars, paper garlands, hearts and stars, and paper horses.
Straw goats, or Julbocken, are derived from an old legend about how the devil went to visit the baby Jesus on his first Christmas and brought a straw goat as a gift. The paper hearts are a symbol of love and are said to represent the warmth of the season.
The red and white stars made of glossy paper symbolize light and hope in the dark winter months. Paper garlands, or Jullampor, are strung across the tree or walls and represent the continuous growth of the family.
The decorative hearts and stars on the tree are often made of wood or clay and invoke the Scandinavian tradition of inscribed love and good wishes. And lastly, paper horses, or Pappershästar, are a common sight around Swedish homes and are said to remind us of the wild and free spirit of Christmas.
What are 3 Christmas traditions in Sweden?
Sweden is a largely secular country, but still has a number of noteworthy Christmas traditions. Here are three of them.
One of the most beloved traditions is “Julbocken,” which literally translates to “Yule Goat. ” This is a festive goat-shaped figure made of straw that is hung in homes throughout the country during the holiday season.
It is believed to bring good luck and joy to the household!.
Another popular custom is the “Julklapp” or “Christmas Present. ” In Sweden, families and friends exchange presents on Christmas Eve and then share a big feast. Some people even choose to hide the presents until they are ready to be opened.
Finally, another popular Swedish Christmas Tradition is “Stjärngossar. ” This is a tradition where children visit homes door-to-door with an ornate box decorated with stars and filled with different activities, such as singing and telling Christmas stories.
In return for their performance, the children are rewarded with treats and sweets.
The Christmas season in Sweden is a wonderfully festive time, and these three traditions illustrate this perfectly.
What is Scandinavian Christmas decor?
Scandinavian Christmas decor is a unique and beautiful style of decorating for the holiday season. It typically involves the use of natural elements like pinecones, birch logs, and branches along with a lot of white and neutral colors like beige, cream, and white.
With this style of decorating, you can create an inviting and cozy atmosphere in your home. Common elements of Scandinavian Christmas decor include festive candles, garlands, wreaths, and snowflake ornaments.
Traditional Christmas colors like red and green may be used, but the colors are usually softened a bit so that the overall look feels cozy and inviting. Themes for Scandinavian Christmas decor often center around nature with images of polar bears, foxes, and other animals being popular.
Stars, snowflakes, and pinecones are also popular decorations for this style. Overall, Scandinavian Christmas decor is a beautiful and unique way to decorate your home for the holidays and create a cozy atmosphere.
What is Nordic style Christmas?
Nordic style Christmas is a popular modern Christmas trend that relies heavily on traditional Scandinavian elements, with a focus on natural materials and neutral colors. This rustic style of decorating emphasizes simple, yet stylish designs that include a lot of traditional holiday details.
Traditional Nordic decor often incorporates birch branches, winter foliage, and bright accents to bring the winter season to life. Natural wood is a popular choice for accents, furniture, and decorations, and pieces are usually left in their natural state with only painting, staining, and minimal decor.
Natural needle garlands, antlers, and white candles are popular decorations that can be seen in many Nordic style Christmas decorations. These simple decorations showcase a symbolic Nordic color scheme of white, greys, reds, and greens to create a cozy and cozy atmosphere.
How do I decorate my Scandinavian Christmas style?
Decorating your home in a Scandinavian Christmas style is the perfect way to bring a cozy and minimalist touch to your holiday decor. To get started, try incorporating some of the following elements:
First and foremost, opt for a neutral color palette with a focus on white and silver. Other colors, such as red, blue, and yellow, can be used to liven things up, but should be used sparingly.
Next, consider incorporating natural elements like twigs, pine cones, and evergreen branches in your decorations. Natural wreaths adorned with simple ornaments, such as acorns or apples, hung from doorways are a beautiful and timeless touch.
For another easy, but festive, do-it-yourself project, try stringing popcorn and cranberries on fishing line for the perfect festive garland.
Candles are a nice way to provide warmth and ambience in the home during the holidays. Set up a festive display of small taper candles or, for a more grandiose display, consider a few pairs of matching candles.
Finally, pay homage to the tradition of St. Lucia Day with a small celebration in your home. On December 13th, hang white tablecloths, cover them with candelabras with seven candles, and serve festive holiday treats like spiced wafers and mulled wine.
By incorporating the items mentioned above and other traditional Scandinavian Christmas touches, you can successfully create a warm and cozy atmosphere perfect for the holidays.
How do Scandinavians decorate their Christmas trees?
In Scandinavia, Christmas trees are an important part of the holiday tradition. Decorating the Christmas tree is often a family affair and the decorations typically reflect local culture and traditions.
Common decorations found on Scandinavia Christmas trees include items such as handcrafted wooden decorations, paper stars, perky hearts, hearts made from felt fabric, glass ornaments, and miniature figures of Santa Claus, reindeer and more.
Additionally, heart-shaped candles, straw ornaments that resemble stars, and birds are often seen on Scandinavian Christmas trees. Finally, silver or gold tinsel is also a popular addition to creating a festive look.
Is Christmas a Nordic?
No, Christmas is not a Nordic holiday. Christmas is a worldwide holiday that is celebrated by many cultures around the world, though it does have its roots in northern Europe. It has some Nordic traditions, as well as a few that are specific to that part of the world.
In Scandinavia, for example, the day is known as Jul, which is the traditional celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, while in Iceland they refer to it as Jól. In Finland, Christmas is celebrated over the 13 days of Yule, rather than the single day that is typical in many other countries.
Despite the different names and differences in how it is celebrated, what holds true throughout the Nordic countries is that Christmas is a time of family, friends and plenty of food.
What decorations do they use in Scandinavia?
Scandinavian decorations often incorporate natural materials that complement the beautiful, nature-centered environment of the Nordic countries. Comparatively, modern Scandinavian decoration is more minimal than other Christmas decorations, and generally incorporates various shades of white and warm colors like brown, gold, and deep reds.
A common tradition is to have only one or two colors per decoration; in most Scandinavian countries, red and white are the primary colors of choice.
The most common decorations are Christmas trees or wreaths made of evergreens, branches, bark, and twigs, as well as natural dried flowers and other plants. Candles and candle holders made from metal, glass, and ceramics are also traditional, as are paper and cloth banners and flags.
Stars and heart-shaped decorations are popular to hang in the windows, and straw ornaments are common as well. As time goes on, many Scandinavians have begun experimenting with modern decorations that mix traditional elements with contemporary designs.
What decorations does Sweden use for Christmas?
The decorations that are used for Christmas in Sweden vary, depending on the region. Some of the most common decorations include Christmas trees, wreaths made of evergreen, crayfish, Christmas stars and candles.
Advent wreaths are very popular and traditional, and all four Sundays of Advent have a special candle, symbolizing peace, joy, patience and love. Other decorations will often include cloths or table runners with Christmas motifs of gingerbread or candies, Christmas trolls and Father Christmas figurines.
Some folks may also set up a Christmas pyramid with wooden figurines and candleholders on top. Many homes in Sweden will also hang Christmas lights both inside and outside their homes, and some windows have a traditional heart-shaped candle.
Swedish Christmas usually involves Santa Lucia on the 13th of December, where the eldest daughter of the household dresses in a white dress with a red ribbon and a crown of lit candles, carrying lit candles down a line of people in the dark.
She is accompanied by other children who sing traditional Christmas carols and distribute cookies and chocolate.
What is Santa called in Scandinavia?
In Scandinavia, Santa Claus is known as Joulupukki in Finland, Julenissen in Norway, Jul Tomte in Sweden, or even Nisse or Julemanden in Denmark. He is the bringer of Christmas presents, and many Scandinavian families prepare for him the night before Christmas in much the same way that other countries celebrate Santa Claus.
While his traditional look varies from country to country, he typically has a red suit, white beard, tall black boots, and a pointed hat. He may carry a sack filled with presents for children, or a staff in his hand.
He is usually accompanied by elves who help him deliver the presents.
How do they celebrate Christmas in Sweden?
In Sweden, Christmas is known as “Jul” and is celebrated with a variety of festive and traditional activities. On Christmas Eve, many families gather together for a large dinner, called “Julbord”. The meal typically consists of typical Swedish dishes like Christmas ham, herring, potatoes, and other special dishes according to family traditions.
The most important Christmas activity in Sweden is opening presents. On Christmas Eve, all presents are opened at midnight. Before opening the presents, Swedes often sing traditional Christmas carols.
Additionally, decorations and lights are everywhere during the Christmas season in Sweden. Every home is typically adorned with a Christmas tree and lights, and most towns or public spaces host special Christmas markets and light displays.
On Christmas Day, churches around the country host two services, one to celebrate Jesus’s birth and the other to celebrate the end of Christmas. Traditional Swedish foods are also served at Christmas lunches and and dinners.
Popular dishes include the “Julkorv” and “Lutefisk”, the latter being prepared from whitefish, lye, and spices. Other traditional dishes include porridge, pancakes, and prune pudding.
In Sweden, Christmas is still a truly special and magical time of year that is celebrated with joy, delicious food, and thoughtful presents.
Why do Scandinavians open presents on Christmas Eve?
Many people in Scandinavia open their gifts on Christmas Eve due to their strong cultural traditions going back hundreds, if not thousands of years. In the Scandinavian countries, it is a longstanding tradition to exchange, open, and enjoy Christmas presents on Christmas Eve.
One reason why this tradition has been kept alive is because of the Scandinavian folklore and mythology associated with Christmas Eve. According to this folklore, Christmas Eve is thought to be a magical and special night, when supernatural creatures such as the Nisse, Tomte, and Julenisse (all of which are believed to be the protectors of children and the households who live in the Scandinavian countries) come out and reward good children with sweets and other goodies.
This is why people often leave out a bowl of porridge or other treats for these creatures on Christmas Eve. Additionally, because Christmas Eve is the only day of the year in which families can be together without having to worry about work, school, and other commitments, it is also seen as a time to celebrate with family and enjoy each other’s company.
All of these reasons and factors help to explain why Scandinavians open presents on Christmas Eve.
Why do Swedes celebrate Christmas on 24th?
The celebration of Christmas in Sweden typically falls on the evening of the 24th of December, known as Christmas Eve. This is due to a combination of religious and cultural influences, which has led Sweden to establish its own unique way of celebrating this important holiday.
The tradition of celebrating Christmas on December 24th dates back to the early 19th century. At this time, Sweden was a predominantly Christian country and Christmas was celebrated with a strong emphasis on religious tradition.
This includes observing the traditional Christian Nativity story from the Bible, which celebrates the birth of Jesus. Therefore, it is believed that December 24th was chosen to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
Additionally, in Sweden, December 24th is seen as the beginning of the Christmas holiday season. It is thought that by celebrating Christmas on December 24th, Swedes can truly enjoy the holiday and all its festivities.
During this time, it is common to decorate the house with Christmas decorations and light Advent candles. Furthermore, families usually gather together to enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner and exchange gifts.
It seems that Sweden’s choice to observe Christmas on the evening of December 24th is the perfect combination between religious tradition and relaxed festivities, allowing Swedes to fully embrace this important holiday in their own unique way.
What do they eat for Christmas in Norway?
In Norway, the traditional Christmas meal consists of pinnekjøtt, which is salted and dried rib of lamb, served with kålrabistappe which is mashed swede, carrot and onion and sometimes also potatoes.
Pinnekjøtt is always served with potatoes, baby carrots, and green peas, as well as boiled or fried, and bacon. Sunn ver og steikte, which is salted, fried, and smoked mutton and raspeballer, which are mashed potatoes with flour, bacon, pepper, and salt, are also often served.
All of this is usually accompanied by festive red kransekake and a variety of desserts like bolle med krem, which are rich, sweet buns filled with custard. Some Norwegians have started including more traditional American dishes on their tables due to the increasing influence of American culture, such as mac ‘n cheese, turkey, and green bean casserole.
Whatever is served at the Norwegian table, one thing is for sure: Christmas in Norway is a time of celebration and family gatherings.
Why does Norway send the UK a Christmas tree?
Every year since 1947, Norway has gifted a Christmas tree to the city of London as a token of gratitude for the assistance provided by the United Kingdom during World War II. The Norwegian spruce is cut down and shipped over to Trafalgar Square in central London, where it is put on display for the holiday season.
The gift is intended to symbolize the long-standing friendship between Norway and the UK and to honor the strong and special relationship enjoyed by the two countries. The gesture is also a reminder of the many Norwegian individuals and families that sought refuge in the UK during the war.
Since its inception, the Christmas tree from Norway has become a beloved part of London’s holiday tradition. Every year, thousands of visitors gather around the tree in Trafalgar Square to enjoy the festive atmosphere and to pay tribute to the special relationship between Norway and the UK.
The gift of a Christmas tree is a demonstration of the enduring and close ties that exist between the two nations, who continue to be close allies and friends.
What type of forest are found in Norway Sweden?
In Norway and Sweden, there are a variety of forest types, though the most common type of forest is boreal forest. Boreal forests are typically characterized by coniferous trees such as pines, spruces, and firs.
These trees are typically found in the mountains and at higher elevations. In the coastal areas of both countries, coast pine and oak forests can be found. Norway also has small patches of Alpine forests, which grow at high altitudes and feature a mix of conifers and deciduous trees.
Some of the other forest types found in both countries include elm-ash forests, alders, muravyovs, birch, and spruce-lichen forests. The forests of both countries are a part of their cultural identity, providing habitat for a wide range of wildlife species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.