Christmas in Sweden!

[stormylee]

[By Lilla - reposted to fix the special characters that had taken exception to site changes ]

Christmas in Sweden

Come on in! It's cold outside. Even though it is still early in the afternoon on the 24th of December (the night upon which most of the festivities occur), it's starting to get dark out already. But never mind that, because it just makes the season even cozier!

Would you like something to drink? If you're in the mood for something cold, you can have some julmust. The only way to describe it is that it is a special soft drink that is only sold during the winter holiday season. It's really sweet, so if you're not fond of visits to the dentist, perhaps you'd like a glass of water instead.

Take a seat! Can you smell the ham? My mouth has been watering since I started dreaming about it weeks and weeks ago. It's not sweet, as many of you in America are accustomed to. A Swedish Christmas ham, julskinka, is coated in a mixture of mustard and breadcrumbs with just a little, little touch of brown sugar. When it's done cooking, you can make yourself up a big plate of it, along with the other traditional Christmas foods: meatballs, pickled herring, beet salad, prinskorv (small sausages), and Jansson's Temptation (a dish that resembles scalloped potatoes with some anchovies thrown in). Don't forget to grab a slice of vörtbröd! I baked it this morning. It's a special rye bread that has grated orange peel in it. Don't skimp on the butter or cheese!

Are you still hungry? No?! Oh, come on! You have to take some pepparkaka! It's gingerbread! When you're done with that, take some knäck. It's a caramel-like candy that'll get stuck in your teeth!

The kids are being good, aren't they? They're waiting for tomte. He's like your Santa Claus, only he comes in the evening on the 24th and gives the children presents "in person". It was believed, many years ago, that each farm had a tomte (gnome) attached to it. They would take care of the animals and some chores, in exchange for some food. If, however, the animals were treated poorly on the farm, the tomte would make his displeasure known. Otherwise, they were regarded as being kind and helpful. It is this being that brings presents on the 24th. Usually, a family member will go out to "buy a newspaper" just several minutes before tomte appears. They will return shortly after tomte leaves, stunned that the visit coincided precisely with their departure.

Goodness! Look at the time! Tomte should be here soon! Let's settle down and watch Kalle Anka on TV. It's a Swedish tradition. I think you call him Donald Duck in the USA. Everybody knows all the lines by heart. Let's have a little glass of glögg. It's mulled wine. What a wonderful way to finish off dinner on Christmas Eve! You know what would make it better? I think I'm going to go out and buy a newspaper...

Knäck: http://www.recipezaar.com/131585
Swedish meatballs: http://www.recipezaar.com/13892
Pepparkaka: http://www.recipezaar.com/107661
Jansson's Tempation: http://www.recipezaar.com/196655
Glögg: http://www.recipezaar.com/199791

G o d J u l !
Happy Holidays from Sweden!

[margeryJackson]

Some day i will surely be at swinden

[jeanne8347]

Hej! I just found you! Wonderful post. Are you still posting?
My maternal great-grandfather was from Ivo. I have been to Sweden visiting kinfolk in '93 and '95. It was wonderful to experience Scandinavian flavors and festivities in person with family.
Would love to hear from you. ~ Jeanne

[Lilla]

Thanks, Jeanne! Welcome to the forum.
Yes, I'm still here. Nice to "meet" you!
What area are you from?

[TLu]

So glad to see this Christmas in Sweden posting. Brought back a lot of fond memories when my family and I lived in Solna off of Hagavagen by the cemetery and park.We were there from 1972-1976. Loved it and some of my most precious childhood memories. Have been back a few times as an adult but not since 1995.

[Lilla]

TLu wrote:
So glad to see this Christmas in Sweden posting. Brought back a lot of fond memories when my family and I lived in Solna off of Hagavagen by the cemetery and park.We were there from 1972-1976. Loved it and some of my most precious childhood memories. Have been back a few times as an adult but not since 1995.

Hi TLu! Nice to "meet" you! Welcome to the forums.

I live quite near Solna. I like it because it's near the countryside, but still it's very close to Stockholm as well. Do you plan on coming to visit again?

[stormylee]

Happy St. Lucia's Day, everyone!

[TLu]

Lilla wrote:

TLu wrote:
So glad to see this Christmas in Sweden posting. Brought back a lot of fond memories when my family and I lived in Solna off of Hagavagen by the cemetery and park.We were there from 1972-1976. Loved it and some of my most precious childhood memories. Have been back a few times as an adult but not since 1995.

Hi TLu! Nice to "meet" you! Welcome to the forums.

I live quite near Solna. I like it because it's near the countryside, but still it's very close to Stockholm as well. Do you plan on coming to visit again?

So sorry, didn't get a notification
would love to visit again soon, it's on my list