Swedish Easter Traditions Include Feathers, ‘Hags’ and of Course, Lots of Eggs!
Tomorrow marks the first day of Påsklov (the Easter Holidays) here in Sweden.
You might be surprised to hear that easter is celebrated in Sweden, given that many are devout atheists. But actually, Easter is a big deal, even if the tradition is largely secular. Colourful feathers to appear on birch branches and little eggs are hung from twigs (as seen in my home above!).
Although it might all look a bit different this year, usually the main ‘eggcitement’ (sorry!) starts on Skärtorsdagen (Maundy Thursday) when children dress up as Påskkäringor (Easter hags) and wander from door to door – wearing brightly coloured head scarves and faces painted with rosy cheeks and freckles – asking for sweets (scroll down to the last picture in this post to see how cute they look!).
Families gather on Påskafton (Easter Saturday – yes, they never can quite wait until the ‘main day’!) and tuck into a smorgasbord of pickled herring, salmon, new potatoes, lamb, a cheese flan, various egg dishes as well as other delicacies – which is interspersed with singing as well as schnapps and beer. Post lunch games include egg rolling and ‘egg picking’ and of course, the children enjoy lots of chocolate delivered by the Påskhare (the Easter hare!).
All in all, a really fun holiday.
If you’re looking for some pretty, yet simple ways to decorate your home this easter, here are few ideas:
Tomorrow marks the first day of Påsklov (the Easter Holidays) here in Sweden.
You might be surprised to hear that easter is celebrated in Sweden, given that many are devout atheists. But actually, Easter is a big deal, even if the tradition is largely secular. Colourful feathers to appear on birch branches and little eggs are hung from twigs (as seen in my home above!).
Although it might all look a bit different this year, usually the main ‘eggcitement’ (sorry!) starts on Skärtorsdagen (Maundy Thursday) when children dress up as Påskkäringor (Easter hags) and wander from door to door – wearing brightly coloured head scarves and faces painted with rosy cheeks and freckles – asking for sweets (scroll down to the last picture in this post to see how cute they look!).
Families gather on Påskafton (Easter Saturday – yes, they never can quite wait until the ‘main day’!) and tuck into a smorgasbord of pickled herring, salmon, new potatoes, lamb, a cheese flan, various egg dishes as well as other delicacies – which is interspersed with singing as well as schnapps and beer. Post lunch games include egg rolling and ‘egg picking’ and of course, the children enjoy lots of chocolate delivered by the Påskhare (the Easter hare!).
All in all, a really fun holiday.
If you’re looking for some pretty, yet simple ways to decorate your home this easter, here are few ideas: