Hej, everyone! In this post, I want to show you some Christmas traditions and customs in Sweden so you can enjoy them too if you are studying in Linköping and get to know a little bit more about Swedish culture.
Something you can do when Christmas is approaching in Linköping is to enjoy the St. Lucia event on December 13. On this day there is a procession in which boys and girls are dressed in white with a wreath full of candles. On this day, it is typical to eat Lussebulle, which are saffron buns with raisins.
In December, you start to see the landscapes full of snow and there are a lot of trails and forests that are worth visiting when they are full of snow that looks like a Christmas postcard. But it is not necessary to go far to see scenes that look like a Christmas postcard, because from the last weekend of November in Linköping you can find the Christmas market in Gamla Linköping as well as in other cities.
These markets are full of people and small stalls where you can buy many handmade products perfect for Christmas gifts and try Christmas sweets. They also do choir events, dance, and theatre plays, and you can find Santa Claus’ hut for the little ones. It is a 15-minute walk from the University and will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the next few weekends.
Not only Gamla Linköping but the rest of the city is decorated with Christmas lights, the main square has a big and beautiful Christmas tree, and the streets are full of decorations like bows, balls, and hearts.
Another thing to do around December 25th is to drink Julmust, and drink glogg and eat gingerbread cookies. Although I should mention that in Sweden, Christmas is celebrated on December 24, when they have their dinner and gifts are given.
Regarding the Swedish Christmas decoration, I can highlight two main things, paper stars with light inside that are hung in the windows and candles placed in a triangle shape. Most of the houses have them placed in the window and walking around the city and looking at all the windows full of lights is very cozy. These lights can be found anywhere and are a nice and simple decoration.
Finally, I would like to mention two traditions that are carried out in Sweden. The first one is to light four candles until Christmas Day. Swedes light the first candle in the Advent candlestick on the first Sunday of Advent. There are four candles in the candlestick, and every Sunday of Advent they light a candle.
And on the other hand, another Christmas tradition is to watch Donald Duck cartoons after Christmas lunch on TV at 3:00 p.m. This tradition is more than 40 years old, and once the program is over the children can open the presents.
Christmas is coming and there is no nicer place to experience it than in Sweden. I hope you all enjoy the atmosphere as much as I do!
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