12 Swedish Christmas Traditions to Try in 2024

Although the main event is celebrated on Christmas Eve, Swedes know that waiting and preparing is half the fun. On Advent Sunday (four Sundays before Christmas), the first of four candles is lit to start the holiday countdown, usually while enjoying a holiday drink of glögg (mulled wine) with gingerbread cookies. Then, every Sunday an additional candle is lit until finally, it’s Christmas.

No surprises, here. In classic Scandi style, Swedes keep their holiday decorations natural and rustic—nothing flashy or loud. Think wreaths on doors, hyacinths on tables, candles in every room and straw ornaments. (Psst: Pick up some Swedish Christmas decorations for your home here.)

Forget jumping out of bed to tear open your gifts as soon as you wake up. In Sweden, kids and grown-ups wait until the sun sets on Christmas Eve before seeing what Santa left them underneath the tree (never in stockings hung above the fireplace with care). Of course, it helps that darkness falls around 2 p.m. in most parts of the country, so impatient people don’t have to wait too long.

No store-bought tags for those crafty Swedes. Instead, wrapping is kept simple (often just brown paper tied with butcher's twine) and the giver will often attach a funny poem or limerick to the package that hints at what’s inside. Hmmm… what rhymes with chunky cardigan, we wonder? This minimalist wrapping style pairs perfectly with a fun kids' Christmas craft. It’s a sweet way to add a personal touch to every package under the tree.

Santa’s not quite as secretive in Sweden as he is stateside. I already mentioned that presents are opened after dark, but it’s also customary for them to be delivered by hand from a grown-up dressed in a Santa costume. In fact, it’s an inside joke between the adults at our holiday gatherings that someone will always slip out and then return in a full Santa suit with a sack of gifts. Cheeky, no?

Every Christmas Eve at 3 p.m., Swedes gather around the TV to watch a series of old Donald Duck (“Kalle Anka”) Disney cartoons from the 1950s. It’s pretty much the exact same cartoons every year and even grown-ups join in. Bizarre? Sure. Kitschy and sweet? You bet.

You may be familiar with the Swedish concept of smorgasbord, and on Christmas Eve Swedes celebrate with a julbord. Fish features heavily (smoked salmon, pickled herring and lye-fish), plus ham, sausages, ribs, cabbage, potatoes and of course, meatballs. There’s also a delicious dish aptly named Janssons temptation —a potato dish made with cream and anchovies. In other words, there’s basically something for everyone (even picky Aunt Sally).

While most of the holiday menu is served buffet-style, there is one communal element of the julbord—dopp i grytan, aka dip in the pot. After cooking up the Christmas ham, the broth in which it boiled is strained and reduced then placed on the table for everyone to reach over and dunk in hunks of bread. It's basically a very salty—and very delicious—fondue. To kick off the festive meal, consider pairing with a selection of Christmas appetizers.

Aside from mulled wine, the beverage menu features julmust a soft drink with a flavor profile somewhat similar to root beer and, for the adults, a rich and dark seasonal beer called julöl. These drinks are typically enjoyed over the julbord (see number 7) and are imbibed following a festive and quite familiar toast of God Jul, which means “Merry Christmas” in Swedish.

Because you can never have enough food during the holidays, right? After indulging in a julbord for lunch, an evening meal of rice pudding made with milk and cinnamon is served. Traditionally, the chef puts a single almond into the pudding and whoever finds it will get married in the next year. But Swedes know to save some pudding in the pot—leftovers are served for tomorrow’s breakfast after being fried in butter and topped with sugar. Back in the day, farmers would also leave out some pudding for the farm tomte, a gnome who would take care of the barn and animals if you stayed on his good side. But if you annoyed the tomte (say, by not sharing some of your delicious rice pudding) then your animals could get sick.

Saint Lucia Day—an important one on the Swedish holiday calendar—falls on December 13th and marks the winter solstice. On this day, schools, workplaces and public spaces all host a procession of caroling girls and boys (or sometimes adults) dressed in white robes and carrying candles to celebrate the “bearer of light.”

Just as there’s a clear beginning to the festivities (the first advent), there’s also a defined end. On January 13th (St. Knut's Day), families take down the decorations and dance around the Christmas tree, before tossing it out the window. They also finish eating any remaining Christmas treats. (Maybe just check with your co-op before throwing your tree out.)