What is Christmas in Sweden called?

Adventskalender. Because of their love of Christmas, the people of Sweden get so excited that they begin counting down to the big day 24 days early.

What is the Swedish Santa called?

Jultomten (The Swedish version of Father Christmas)

What does Advent mean in Sweden?

The word Advent simply means arrival, it heralds the Christmas season and is celebrated during the four Sundays before Christmas. In Sweden, it is tradition during Advent to light a candle every Sunday.

What do Scandinavians call Christmas?

Christmas in the Nordics is still referred to by its pagan name: Jul in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, Jól in Iceland, and Joulu in Finland.

How do Swedes say Merry Christmas?

You may already know the Swedish holiday greetings god jul! (Merry Christmas!) and gott nytt år!

Christmas in Sweden: Gammelstad Christmas Market in Luleå in Swedish Lapland UNESCO World Heritage

What is a Swedish Tomte?

Tomte (Swedish) or Tonttu (Finnish, also called Nisse in Norway) are solitary, mischievous domestic spirits, responsible for the protection and welfare of a farmstead and its buildings.

Who is Santa in Sweden?

Christmas in Sweden: The tomte, Sweden's version of Santa Claus, is a scary gnome.

What is a Viking Christmas?

Every December the Vikings would celebrate the Midwinter Solstice, the longest night of the year and the daylight is the shortest of the year. The celebration included drinking, feasting, songs, games, banquets, and sacrifices for the gods and the ancestor spirits for 12 days straight.

What is Santa called in Scandinavia?

Danes, Swedes and Norwegians base their Santa on a mythological figure – a gnome known as a “tomte” or “nisse” in the Scandinavian languages – whereas Finns, who are ethnically and linguistically a different people, know Santa as “joulupukki,” a Christmas buck or goat, derived from old pagan Norse mythology.

How Christmas is celebrated in Sweden?

On Christmas Eve, or Julafton, Swedes celebrating Christmas attend church services. They return home to a traditional family dinner including a buffet dinner (smörgåsbord) with ham, pork, or fish, and a variety of sweets. After the festive Christmas Eve dinner, someone dresses up as Tomte.

How do Swedish people celebrate Advent?

On Advent Sunday (four Sundays before Christmas), the first of four candles is lit to start the holiday countdown, usually while enjoying a mug of glögg (mulled wine) and gingerbread cookies. Then, every Sunday an additional candle is lit until finally, it's Christmas.

Why is the star hung in windows during Advent in Sweden?

Another popular tradition is to hang a paper star in the window. Originally a German tradition, this has caught on in Sweden too. The star symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem. Lights in windows are all very well.

Are Christmas gnomes Swedish?

The Christmas gnomes in Sweden are the Tomte, who look a lot like the Santa Claus that many of us know today. These gnomes usually wear grey clothing, and they're always watching over you to see how well you behave.

What is a gnome called in Sweden?

Gnome in Swedish is called Tomte, with other words a Tomte is a Swedish gnome. They live in and around the houses and sheds on farms and remote houses according to the gnome folklore.

What are 3 holiday traditions in Sweden?

Is Yule Norse?

Yule is the modern version of Old Norse Jól and Jólnir one of the names for Odin.

Was Santa Claus a Viking?

Long before the figure of the modern Santa Claus became the bringer of gifts, Vikings had their own Father Christmas: the ruler of the gods, Odin. According to Norse mythology, Odin would lead the Wild Hunt across the world during the midwinter period, riding on his flying, eight-legged horse Sleipnir.

Is Yule a Viking holiday?

Yes! Although it wasn't quite the celebration we know today. During winter, many Germanic people, including the Vikings, celebrated a festival called “Yule”. The festival started on the Midwinter Solstice (the shortest day and longest night of the year) around 21st December and lasted for about 12 days.

Why does Christmas end on January 13th in Sweden?

“We previously ended Christmas on the 13th day [after December 24th, ed.], but due to the calendar reforms [to adopt the Gregorian calendar in the 1700s, ed.], we have also moved the end of Christmas.

What are 5 interesting facts about Sweden?

Why is Christmas on the 24th in Sweden?

Celebrating on the 24th of December

It is, in fact, a part of the Nordic culture to celebrate most holidays on the eve of. The reason for this is the way the Nordic countries used to measure time and dates. Based on ancient ways of counting time, a day would typically start after sundown.

What is a Christmas gnome called?

However, in Scandinavia, these gnomes (known as nisse in Norway) are associated with the Christmas season. Much like the American Santa Claus, the julenisse—basically Kris Kringle in gnome form—visits the homes of good children on Christmas Eve.

Are tomte just for Christmas?

These Handmade Swedish Tomte Dolls Are Welcome Any Time of the Year. Not Only for Christmas. The tomte is one of the most familiar creatures of Scandinavian folklore. Legend has it that this mythical creature of Scandinavian folklore protects a farmer's home and children at night and also from misfortune.