Aktuellt i december

Swedish December Traditions and Celebrations

December in Sweden is a radiant month, glowing with honored traditions, festivities, flowers, and a myriad of candlelights chasing away the winter darkness. It is a time when centuries-old customs harmoniously blend with modern celebrations, creating a warm atmosphere in homes and gardens throughout the coldest season.

Advent – A Season of Anticipation and Light

The First Sunday of Advent, often falling on the last Sunday of November, marks the beginning of the church year and is a much-anticipated event in Sweden. On this day, churches are filled with people singing beautiful hymns such as "Hosianna," and homes are adorned with Advent candles and stars to bring light to the winter gloom. The word "advent" derives from the Latin adventus, meaning "arrival"—the arrival of the Christ child. The Advent period continues with three more Sundays, each celebrated with its own liturgy and traditions.
For inspiration on floral arrangements during this season, read Skötselråd julens blommor.

Advent Decorations

Candle-lit stars, hyacinths, and the warm glow from window sills make every neighborhood shimmer through long Swedish nights.

Lucia – The Queen of Light, December 13th

No one in Sweden misses Lucia, the Queen of Light, on December 13th. The name "Lucia" comes from the Latin lux, meaning "light," and her procession symbolizes hope at the darkest time of the year. Early in the morning, Lucia and her attendants—dressed in white with candles and singing—move through schools, homes, workplaces, and even appear on national television. The celebration has its roots in both Christian and pre-Christian Nordic lore, when December 13th, under the Julian calendar, was considered the longest night. The tradition is to eat and stay awake to ward off evil spirits, which echoes in today’s feasting and singing.

Lucia celebrations can also be observed in Norway, Denmark, and Swedish-speaking areas of Finland, while other European countries have their own unique traditions honoring Saint Lucia.

Lucia Treats

Saffron buns (“lussekatter”) and ginger snaps are the traditional treats enjoyed on this day, with warm drinks served in the candlelit darkness of early morning.

Christmas – Sweden’s Most Important Family Holiday

For many Swedes, Christmas ("Jul") is the most cherished family celebration of the year. The festival, marking the birth of Jesus, has been observed since the mid-4th century, when the Roman church established December 25th as the official date. Yet Nordic Christmas blends Christian faith with traces of the ancient Midwinter Blot, when people held joyful feasts and sometimes offered a boar—explaining the Swedish tradition of the Christmas ham! As Christianity spread, pagan and Christian customs blended to comfort and unite communities.

Beyond family gatherings and festive meals, Swedes decorate with red flowers and evergreens. For floral inspiration or care advice, see Skötselråd julens blommor.

Modern Swedish Christmas Table

The "julbord" includes herring, salmon, ham, meatballs, "prinskorv," cheese, and plenty of bread and sweets, always shared with loved ones.

December’s Festive Calendar

Several other notable days mark the month:

• Nobel Day (December 10th): Why not hold your own noble banquet at home with an extra festive table?
• Day of the Defenseless Children (December 28th): Formerly Innocent Children’s Day, this commemorates all children affected by war, catastrophe, and suffering—a good reminder for year-round compassion.
• New Year's Eve: Swedes welcome the new year in the company of friends, with fireworks and champagne corks "scaring away the old spirits." The tradition of loud noisemaking once included firing guns!

Flowers, Amaryllis, and Home Decor

December is also the perfect time to fill your home with brilliant red flowers, or perhaps elegant white arrangements for New Year’s. Amaryllis is a quintessential holiday flower in Sweden—hopefully already potted, but even early in the month you can find pre-forced bulbs ready to bloom by Christmas. For tips, see Att driva amaryllis.

If you haven’t planted your own, cut amaryllis is widely available—just as beautiful and perfect for festive arrangements, perhaps with a touch of greenery from your garden.

Winter Houseplant Care

Now is also a good time to care for your houseplants, bringing a splash of green indoors even as winter rages outdoors.

Decorating with Nature’s Gifts

Even as nature sleeps, you can bring in the last treasures of the garden.
"There are always flowers for those who want to see them!" (Henri Matisse)

Find inspiration for winter arrangements here:

• Vinterståndare (Winter seedheads – memories from summer)
• Trädgårdsårets sista arrangemang

Advent and Christmas lights create breathtaking displays, both in windows and gardens—just remember, less can be more! Garlands of evergreens, light strings, and some restraint will ensure tasteful decorations on your balcony or terrace. For more, see Vinterfint i krukträdgården.

Subtlety in Outdoor Decor

White fairy lights, pine branches, and frosty glass transformed by candlelight highlight the Swedish love of simple, natural beauty.

Crafting Light – Ice Lanterns and Classic Decorations

If frost arrives, try making your own ice lanterns! Fill a bucket with water, let it freeze overnight, then carefully unmold your lantern and place a candle inside to warm the winter evenings. Use old, partially working light strings to add a magical effect beneath a row of ice or snowball lanterns. Find more creative ideas in Halvdana ljusslingor.

Classic Swedish Decorations

Paper stars, straw goats, and woven hearts are part of the nostalgic December atmosphere.

Giving Green Presents

Think of green gifts for your gardening friends—handmade or homegrown is always appreciated! Ideas include a bouquet with home-forced bulbs, a cute bird feeder, flower seeds in handmade packets, or a cutting from a treasured houseplant in a beautiful pot. Or try making your own wreath to hang at Christmas—learn how here.
If you prefer to buy, quality tools, a pretty watering can, bird bath, plant nursery gift card, or garden books make thoughtful presents.

Saving Christmas Plants for Spring

Many lovely "Christmas junipers" in holiday plantings are actually cypress varieties—save them! After Christmas, repot healthy plants in their own pots and care for them on a cool windowsill until you can plant them outdoors come spring. Some may even grow into impressive garden specimens—read more about the little "Christmas tree".

Amaryllis, azalea, hyacinths, and tulips can also be revived: cut off spent blooms, keep bulbs cool and bright, and plant in the garden when spring arrives. For azalea care, see Skötselråd azalea.

Indoor Bulbs’ Second Spring

Carefully stored bulbs often reward you with new flowers and memories come April or May.

Reflection and Planning

Winter is an ideal time to look back and forward in your garden life—write notes about the past season, create a photo album, and record all those "next year I will..." ideas before they are forgotten. Use the winter months to dream, read, sketch, plan, and gather inspiration for the coming gardening year.

Journaling and Inspiration

Scrapbooks and photo folders of last summer’s blooms are a delight when planning next year’s planting. Läs också Trädgårdens scrapbook

Don’t Forget the Birds

When garden berries are gone, help birds by hanging any mountain ash (“rowan”) berries you may have frozen, or offer half an apple daily for thrushes and other visiting birds—see tips for using your old Christmas tree to help wildlife.

Fruit, Vegetables, and Herbs – Seasonal Tips

• Don't store apples with vegetables, as ethylene causes some veggies (like carrots) to turn bitter and cut flowers to wilt early.
• Make a simple herbal tea against colds with mint, lemon balm, and sage from your windowsill or garden—pour over boiling water, let it steep 5 minutes, sweeten with honey.
• Kale and Brussels sprouts are classic for Christmas meals—try boiling the kale in ham stock before frying with butter for a true Scandinavian "långkål".

If the ground isn’t frozen, water rhododendrons and other evergreens once more—they’ll need the moisture, and later, sun protection cloth for spring’s first rays.

Protection and Support in the Garden

After heavy snowfall, gently shake snow off shrubs and conifers to prevent breakage. Tie young or delicate bushes to a stake for extra support. Install support sticks now before the ground freezes, as these will help both with snow loads and spring sun protection. Spread winter