What Is Christmas Tree Decorating In Sweden?

Swedish Christmas traditions include the traditional Christmas tree, or ‘Julgran’, which is brought into homes just a few days before Christmas. Traditional decorations often blend the old with the new, with candles playing a significant role in many Swedish homes. The Advent Star, meant to represent the Star of Bethlehem, is lit on the first day of the holiday.

In Sweden, the tradition of bringing a Christmas tree into the house and decorating it from Germany in the 1880s began. People gave Christmas presents anonymously and playfully, often in secret. The day people buy and dress their Christmas tree varies greatly from family to family, but most have them dressed on 13 December and throw them out by 13 January. Commonly used decorations today include baubles, strings of lights, tinsel, straw figures, and small Swedish flags.

The Christmas goat is one of the very oldest Christmas trees in Sweden. There are three common Christmas trees: Rödgran (Picea abies), Norway spruce, or European spruce. A decorated Christmas tree is a must for most Swedes, and it comes in as many versions as there are households. The first Swedish Christmas trees were generally decorated with live candles and treats such as fruit and candy. Apples were often hung on the branches where the candles were located to make them more parallel to the ground.

Swedish Christmas decorating includes the use of natural elements, lots of candles, paper stars and flowers, and simple decorations on the tree. The Christmas tree is the centerpiece in most Swedish homes, which also are decorated with advent lights and stars in the windows.

What is the Swedish Christmas candle tradition?

Advent is a traditional Scandinavian holiday celebrated by lighting one candle each evening on the four Sundays of the Advent season. The first candle represents hope, followed by peace, joy, and love. Advent candles can be any shape, size, or color and can be found in a row or crafted in a wreath.

Scandinavian culture is known for using available resources, as reflected in the tradition of handmade wheat ornaments, which are popular in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. These rustic ornaments are used to decorate homes, gates, and trees. Straw ornaments, born from the Remembrance of the Birds tradition, are humble, elegant, and intricate, reflecting the land.

Aebleskiver, a spherical pancake-like treat, is often handed down through generations and debates can arise on the appropriate garnish or dipping condiments. Jam is usually accepted as a dipping option, but powdered sugar, applesauce, and others can be a topic of argument.

What are Christmas traditions in Sweden?

On Christmas Eve, or Julafton, Swedish people attend church services and return home to a traditional family dinner, including a buffet dinner with ham, pork, or fish and sweets. After the dinner, someone dressed up as Tomte, the Swedish equivalent of Santa Claus, hands out gifts. The “Merry Christmas” greeting in Swedish is God Jul. Cities across Sweden offer various holiday events, such as the live version of the popular Christmas Calendar series in Stockholm and a Christmas concert in Uppsala’s Helga Trefaldighets church.

In Denmark, children help decorate their family Christmas trees in the weeks leading up to the holiday, which begins on December 23 with a meal featuring a traditional cinnamon rice pudding called grod.

What is the traditional Swedish Christmas display?

The Gävle Goat is a traditional Christmas display in central Gävle, Sweden, featuring a giant version of a traditional Swedish Yule goat figure made of straw. Despite security measures and a nearby fire station, the goat has been burned to the ground most years since its first appearance in 1966. As of December 2023, 42 out of 58 goats have been destroyed or damaged. Burning or destroying the goat is illegal, and the Svea Court of Appeal has stated that the offence should normally carry a 3-month prison sentence. Since 1986, two separate Yule goats have been built in Gävle: the Gävle Goat by the Southern Merchants and the Yule Goat built by the Natural Science Club of the School of Vasa.

What is the tradition behind decorating a Christmas tree?

A Christmas tree is a decorated tree, usually an evergreen conifer, such as a spruce, pine, or fir, associated with the celebration of Christmas. It was traditionally decorated with roses made of colored paper, apples, wafers, tinsel, and sweetmeats. Moravian Christians began to illuminate Christmas trees with candles, which were often replaced by Christmas lights after the advent of electrification. Today, there is a wide variety of traditional and modern ornaments, such as garlands, baubles, tinsel, and candy canes.

An angel or star might be placed at the top of the tree to represent the Angel Gabriel or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity. Edible items such as gingerbread, chocolate, and other sweets are also popular and are tied to or hung from the tree’s branches with ribbons. The Christmas tree has been historically regarded as a custom of the Lutheran Churches, and only in 1982 did the Catholic Church erect the Vatican Christmas Tree. In the Western Christian tradition, Christmas trees are erected on various days, such as the first day of Advent or as late as Christmas Eve, depending on the country.

What are traditions for decorating Christmas trees?

The Christmas tree, originating in Central Europe, was traditionally decorated with colored paper roses, apples, wafers, tinsel, and sweetmeats. Moravian Christians began to illuminate Christmas trees with candles, which were later replaced by Christmas lights after electrification. Today, there are a variety of traditional and modern ornaments, including garlands, baubles, tinsel, and candy canes. An angel or star may be placed at the top to represent the Angel Gabriel or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity.

Edible items like gingerbread, chocolate, and other sweets are also popular and tied to or hung from the tree’s branches with ribbons. The Christmas tree has been historically regarded as a custom of the Lutheran Churches, and only in 1982 did the Catholic Church erect the Vatican Christmas Tree. In the Western Christian tradition, Christmas trees are erected on various days, including the first day of Advent or as late as Christmas Eve, depending on the country.

It is considered unlucky to remove Christmas decorations before Twelfth Night and is considered appropriate to do so on Candlemas. The Christmas tree is sometimes compared to the Yule tree, especially in discussions of its folkloric origins.

What is the Scandi Christmas style?

Scandinavian style is characterized by Nordic threads, simple decoration, and a lot of white. It is often seen with evergreen branches, trees, pine cones, and simple green wreaths. With the holiday season approaching, it is important to think less is more when decorating your Scandinavian Christmas. This minimalistic approach allows for a few key items to shine against a mostly white backdrop. Natural textures are also key in Scandinavian design, as most Scandinavians are white and bright.

Living rooms often feature wood and evergreen, soft pillows, furry throws, and wooden candelabras. To replicate this Scandinavian style, textures will play a significant role in the decor. By incorporating natural textures into your Christmas decorations, you can create a cozy and Scandinavian-inspired atmosphere that will make your guests feel welcome and appreciated.

How are Christmas trees decorated in Sweden?

Family traditions dictate tree decorations, including flags, tinsel, and colored baubles. Electric lights are preferred over candles due to fire risk. Home decorations include gingerbread cookies, winter scenes, Christmas tablecloths, candlesticks, Santa Claus figures, and angels. Hyacinths provide a powerful scent. At three o’clock, many Swedes watch a cavalcade of Disney film scenes, a tradition since the 1960s, to begin the celebrations.

What is the Christmas gnome in Sweden called?

A nisse is a mythological creature from Nordic folklore, typically associated with the winter solstice and the Christmas season. They are short, have a long white beard, and wear a conical or knit cap in gray, red, or other bright colors. They often have an appearance similar to a garden gnome. The nisse is one of the most familiar creatures of Scandinavian folklore and has appeared in many works of Scandinavian literature. With the romanticization and collection of folklore during the 19th century, the nisse gained popularity. The band Tomte (band) is also related to the mythical creature tomte/nisse.

What are the Swedish symbols of Christmas?

The Yule Goat, a straw goat symbolizing Zeus’s chariot, is a popular Christmas symbol in Sweden. It is most famously displayed in the city of Gävle. It serves as a symbol of the holiday season.

What is the tradition of Sweden?

Sweden is renowned for its rich tradition and celebrations, which include the country-closing Midsummer Eve, Christmas, Easter, and Kräftskiva, as well as days such as cinnamon bun day, waffle day, and Fettisdagen (Shrove Tuesday), which are celebrated throughout the country.

What is Christmas tree decorated with?

Christmas trees in Ireland, Sweden, Norway, and Norway are traditionally decorated with colored lights, tinsel, and baubles. Some people prefer an angel or star on top, while others opt for garlands, candles, holly, and ivy. Wreaths and mistletoe are hung on the door. In Sweden, trees are bought well before Christmas Eve but decorated a few days before. Evergreen trees are decorated with stars, sunbursts, straw snowflakes, colorful wooden animals, and straw centerpieces.

In Norway, families visit the woods to select a tree, which was introduced to the country in the late 19th century. On “Little Christmas Eve”, December 23, families form a ring around the tree and sing carols.