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Traditionally the Christmas season in Sweden begins on December 13th with the Saint Lucia ceremony. Saint Lucy, or Santa Lucia, was a Christian martyr who according to legend brought food and aid to Christians hiding in the Roman catacombs. It was dark and she used a candle-lit wreath on her head in order to carry as much food as possible. She is also seen as a symbol of light during the darkest time of the year. Each year, cities in Sweden select a Lucia to lead a public procession of maids with candles or electric lights on their heads and stjärngossar (star boys) sing carols and hand out pepparkakor (ginger cookies). Some schools, and even families, select a Lucia to have smaller festivities of their own. School holidays usually start after Saint Lucia day, and the main Christmas festivities are held on Christmas Eve. A Smörgåsbord or Julbord, a buffet-style meal featuring fish, cheeses, breads and other traditional Swedish foods, is often served on Christmas Eve, followed by someone dressed as a Tomte handing out presents. Tomte are mythical creatures, similar to a brownie, who are thought to be about three feet tall and are often depicted wearing tall pointy red hats. Christmas day is usually spent relaxing and enjoying presents and family.
The Christmas season always begins in my household with a trip to the annual Swedish Christmas Festival held at Harbourfront centre by SWEA (Swedish Women’s Educational Association International Toronto). This free family event will be held this Saturday November 19th, 11 AM - 5 PM and Sunday November 20th from 11 AM – 4 PM. Get your Christmas shopping done early from a selection of beautiful handmade crafts, textiles and other Swedish imports. Stock up on Pepparkakor, mustard, cheeses and other Swedish delicacies. Sample Swedish food from the cafe, and (parents) grab a warm cup of glögg (mulled wine), while the kids admire the Christmas tree and decorations. Pop-in to the Pippi Longstocking movie marathon for a movie or two, and watch the traditional Saint Lucia pageant, the Scandinavian Festival of Lights.
The special children’s area, full of crafts and gingerbread cookie baking and decorating, is always the highlight of our visit. We have a collection of handmade decorations from here that my daughter proudly hangs each year.
Don’t forget to bring your skates! After a visit to the festival, you can go for a skate on the Natrel Rink just outside Harbourfront Centre. Skating is free, skate rentals are available for a small charge. The rink is scheduled to open mid-November, weather permitting, double-check the website for hours of operation.
Looking for some Scandinavian inspiration for food and crafts this year? Find some books with great ideas, crafts, recipes and stories for children and adults below.
Scandinavian food and crafts
  
  
Handmade Scandinavian Christmas: everything you need for a simple homemade Christmas by Hege Barnholt: This lovely book has a chapter of crafts and recipes "for Little Hands". Learn to make gingerbread, decorations and more.
Scandinavian Christmas by Trina Hahnemann: Filled with lots of traditional Scandinavian recipes, this one is mostly for grown-ups, but kids can help with some of the baked goods.
Scandinavian Christmas Crafts and Recipes by Helene S. Lundberg: This book has some lovely designs, but the crafts aren't very kid-friendly. It's nice to look through though for inspiration.
Swedish Christmas Crafts by Helene S. Lundberg: Learn to make Christmas crackers, felt and paper decorations and cards. Most of the crafts are suitable for older kids and can be adapted for younger ones.
Swedish Christmas Traditions: A smorgasbord of Scandinavian recipes, crafts, and other holiday delights by Ernst Kirchsteiger: With lots of pictures of snow and delicious food, this book is sure to get you in the holiday mood and make you hungry!
The Swedish Christmas Table: Traditional holiday meals, side dishes, candies and drinks by Jens Linder: This book contains lots of recipes for baked goods, candies and gifts. It also has a nice calendar with suggestions of what to prepare each day leading up to Christmas.
Swedish Christmas picture books
  
A Calf for Christmas written by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Marit Törnqvist, Ages 4-8
The Christmas Tomten written by Viktor Rydberg, illustrated by Harald Wilberg, Ages 4-8
The Tomten and the Fox written by Astrid Lindgren illustrated by Harald Wilberg, Ages 4-8
Did you know that Toronto Public Library also carries books in Swedish? Search the catalogue here. Want to brush up on your Swedish speaking skills or learn a few phrases? Check out Mango languages, and access it for free using your library card.
And don't forget to set the mood with some lovely Swedish Christmas music.
Skål! |
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