How do you celebrate Christmas? Since moving to Sweden (16 years ago – how crazy is that?!) – we usually have two celebrations – one in Sweden on 23rd and one in England on 25th. But this year, the entire English clan is coming to Sweden, so Per and the girls finally get to watch Kalle Anke (Donald Duck) at 3pm on Christmas Eve (a very Swedish tradition!). For my final post of the year with partner – who tell the story of the Scandinavian Christmas / Winter through a collection of (discount at end of post!) – I thought I’d interview my husband Per about his thoughts on Swedish Christmas, and some of the traditions he loves the most!
Every year we head out to the woods to chop down our tree. When I was at school, parents would organise a class trip and we’d all go out together and make a big event out of it. These days I love to continue this tradition with my family. In Sweden we’re known for being fairly calm and democratic – but when we choose a tree, we can become pretty feisty! There are a lot of strong opinions about how a Christmas tree should look!
How do you decorate your home for Christmas?
I’m married to an interior-crazy woman so I don’t get too much of a say these days (Editor’s note: he so does) – but there are a few things that are important to me. I like to put traditional 7-arm candelabras and paper stars in the window. I also like the Christmas decorations to be cosy but not over the top – us Swedes don’t tend to go all-in – for example, you rarely see colourful flashing Christmas tree lights or a Father Christmas and his sleigh on the roof!
How do you celebrate Christmas Eve?
When we arrive at my Father’s, candlelit lanterns line the snowy pathway up to the door and a nice, warm mug of homemade glögg (spiced mulled wine) with almond and raisins awaits! At 3pm we all settle down to watch the 1958 Walt Disney film, From All of Us To All of You, affectionately referred to as Kalle Anke (Donald Duck) – even though we all know it off by heart! And then we tuck into a traditional Julbord (Christmas smorgasbord).
with a fresh, crisp and icily dry scent infused with a hint of winter berries and frozen timber wood.
Ah yes, the julbord! Can you tell us a little more about what this involves?
It’s a smorgasbord made up of different types of meat, fish and vegetable dishes. The fish part is my favourite – it includes different types of pickled herring (marinated by my stepmother), an assortment of salmon (warm smoked, cold smoked, gravlax etc.) prawns, and other delicacies! Our julbord also includes the traditional ham, sausages, green and brown cabbage, Jansson’s Temptation (a potato dish with anchovies), meatballs and many, many other things! We all bring something with us so that no one is burdened with doing everything (we all have our own specialities – I’m on meatball duty!).
We accompany the julbord with Christmas beer (for the adults) and Julmust (for the kids – basically an adapted Christmas Coca-Cola). We also enjoy my Father’s home-flavoured wormwood schnapps along with Christmas songs! In Sweden, we don’t drink wine with the julbord but I’ve noticed my wife always sneaks in a glass or two!
When do you exchange presents?
In our family we only give presents to the children. They all stand at the window waiting for Tomten (Father Christmas) who appears in the garden with a lantern and a sack over his shoulder. It’s met with squeals of delight and the children race to the door to greet him – it’s such a wonderful sight! He asks “finns där några snälla barn?” (are there any good children here?). Unfortunately, I always tend to miss this moment as I’ve ‘popped out’ for an untimely errand ;).
I take a lot of the traditions with me in my suitcase – including some of the julbord specialities and song sheets, so I can feel at home! I love the crackers (we don’t have them in Sweden) the stockings are also fun, but I do think it’s a shame that the rest of the world don’t get to meet Tomten!
When do you take Christmas decorations down in Sweden?
This was part of a paid partnership with . All words and pictures are my own and I only ever work with brands that I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible.
Photos by me. Interior pictures of my home styled by .
How do you celebrate Christmas? Since moving to Sweden (16 years ago – how crazy is that?!) – we usually have two celebrations – one in Sweden on 23rd and one in England on 25th. But this year, the entire English clan is coming to Sweden, so Per and the girls finally get to watch Kalle Anke (Donald Duck) at 3pm on Christmas Eve (a very Swedish tradition!). For my final post of the year with partner – who tell the story of the Scandinavian Christmas / Winter through a collection of (discount at end of post!) – I thought I’d interview my husband Per about his thoughts on Swedish Christmas, and some of the traditions he loves the most!
Every year we head out to the woods to chop down our tree. When I was at school, parents would organise a class trip and we’d all go out together and make a big event out of it. These days I love to continue this tradition with my family. In Sweden we’re known for being fairly calm and democratic – but when we choose a tree, we can become pretty feisty! There are a lot of strong opinions about how a Christmas tree should look!
How do you decorate your home for Christmas?
I’m married to an interior-crazy woman so I don’t get too much of a say these days (Editor’s note: he so does) – but there are a few things that are important to me. I like to put traditional 7-arm candelabras and paper stars in the window. I also like the Christmas decorations to be cosy but not over the top – us Swedes don’t tend to go all-in – for example, you rarely see colourful flashing Christmas tree lights or a Father Christmas and his sleigh on the roof!
How do you celebrate Christmas Eve?
When we arrive at my Father’s, candlelit lanterns line the snowy pathway up to the door and a nice, warm mug of homemade glögg (spiced mulled wine) with almond and raisins awaits! At 3pm we all settle down to watch the 1958 Walt Disney film, From All of Us To All of You, affectionately referred to as Kalle Anke (Donald Duck) – even though we all know it off by heart! And then we tuck into a traditional Julbord (Christmas smorgasbord).
with a fresh, crisp and icily dry scent infused with a hint of winter berries and frozen timber wood.
Ah yes, the julbord! Can you tell us a little more about what this involves?
It’s a smorgasbord made up of different types of meat, fish and vegetable dishes. The fish part is my favourite – it includes different types of pickled herring (marinated by my stepmother), an assortment of salmon (warm smoked, cold smoked, gravlax etc.) prawns, and other delicacies! Our julbord also includes the traditional ham, sausages, green and brown cabbage, Jansson’s Temptation (a potato dish with anchovies), meatballs and many, many other things! We all bring something with us so that no one is burdened with doing everything (we all have our own specialities – I’m on meatball duty!).
We accompany the julbord with Christmas beer (for the adults) and Julmust (for the kids – basically an adapted Christmas Coca-Cola). We also enjoy my Father’s home-flavoured wormwood schnapps along with Christmas songs! In Sweden, we don’t drink wine with the julbord but I’ve noticed my wife always sneaks in a glass or two!
When do you exchange presents?
In our family we only give presents to the children. They all stand at the window waiting for Tomten (Father Christmas) who appears in the garden with a lantern and a sack over his shoulder. It’s met with squeals of delight and the children race to the door to greet him – it’s such a wonderful sight! He asks “finns där några snälla barn?” (are there any good children here?). Unfortunately, I always tend to miss this moment as I’ve ‘popped out’ for an untimely errand ;).
I take a lot of the traditions with me in my suitcase – including some of the julbord specialities and song sheets, so I can feel at home! I love the crackers (we don’t have them in Sweden) the stockings are also fun, but I do think it’s a shame that the rest of the world don’t get to meet Tomten!
When do you take Christmas decorations down in Sweden?
This was part of a paid partnership with . All words and pictures are my own and I only ever work with brands that I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible.
Photos by me. Interior pictures of my home styled by .
