A Scandinavian Christmas

Christmas in Bergen, Norway

The frozen North is home to Santa Claus, of course, and all his elves, as well as trolls and those nosey gnomes!!
And the Scandinavian winter is long, cold, and can be very dark, especially the further north you go, so the people of this region make sure that Christmas brings a lot of light and fun and good food at this time.
A Nordic Christmas starts on the 13th of December, St Lucia Day, and festivals last right up until January 6th.

The Christmas lights in Stockholm, Sweden

Although Christmas is a Christian festival, in common with a lot of the rest of the world, a lot of the old pagan traditions from Yule, which Christmas supplanted, are still kept alive in various forms. Such as giant straw goats!!
Also, ogres, trolls and the like keep watch all year and choose this time of year to punish those who fail to keep to the straight and narrow.

Figures of Grýla and Leppalúði in Akureyri, Iceland

Straw Yule Goat

In Iceland, tales tell of Grýla and Leppalúði, two trolls who live in a cave with the monstrous Yule Cat.
Grýla carries off and eats naughty children while the Yule Cat devours people who don’t get new clothes for Christmas!! So be grateful for those socks!!!!
They have thirteen sons, the Yule Lads, who arrive one at a time at households over the period from 12th December onwards, each staying 13 days before departing again.

Vikings considered that a new day started when the sun goes down on the day before, which is probably why Christmas Eve is deemed much more important than Christmas Day. This is when gifts are exchanged and Christmas Dinner is eaten.
On Christmas Day, Nordic people will tend to visit family. December 26th is a day for visiting friends as well as boxing up items for the less fortunate.
In contrast to the overly commercialised European Christmas, the Nordic version is far more traditional and is more about spending time with loved ones and celebrating their traditions. As Yule once was for all!!

And all manner of sweet and tasty treats are eaten to brighten up the long dark days and nights!!
Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve is very special.
In Norway, lamb ribs or cod is a popular choice.
In Sweden, it is often the smorgasbord, a buffet including cold meats and sweets.
In Denmark, it is frequently stuffed goose or duck, with sweet potatoes and cranberries.
In Finland, it can be fish, roast pork, beetroot salad or casseroles. And they love their rice puddings!!
While in Iceland, stuffed grouse is very popular.

Jansson's frestelse (Janssons temptation) is a Swedish gratin style dish made from potatoes, onion and sprats. Often served on special occasions and especially at Christmas time.

Mulled wine, glühwine or scandinavian glögg.

Traditional Swedish saffron buns

Pinnekjot - Lamb ribs with mashed swede or turnip.

Scandinavian Christmas rice porridge with milk, sugar and cinnamon.

Joulutorttu, traditional Finnish Christmas pastry made with prune jam

Traditional Christmas candy house

So, if you are looking for a very traditional Christmas, great food, warm company, not to mention Santa, snow and gnomes, then head North and with a little luck, you get to see the Northern Lights as well!!

All are welcome.
And please feel free to share all discussions you enjoy.