Thursday, January 1, 2026

How Many Swedes Celebrate and Decorate for Christmas

A Christmas tree decorated at the American Swedish Institute in
Minneapolis. The goats surrounding the tree are called Gävlebocken.

        In Sweden the Christmas season really begins with St. Lucy's day, December 13, when the eldest girl in each home dresses in white, with a red sash, and dons an evergreen crown with nine candles. It is her duty on Christmas morning to wake the family and bring them coffee and cakes. Many communities choose a Lucia Queen for the pageant and parade held in St. Lucy's honor. St. Lucy was an early Christian martyr who refused to give up her religion to marry a pagan, and was burned at the stake by the Emperor Diocletian. 
       Lucy's story was brought to Scandinavia by the missionaries and had such a strong appeal to the Vikings that she became the patron saint of all maidens. Because her feast day came on a day previously observing pagan rites to the goddess of light (about the time when the daylight hours begin to increase) the tradition of wearing the crown of candles became a part of the Lucia custom.

Ornaments Inspired by The Swedes:

Swedish Traditions and Life Style:

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