Jul - Christmas (Yule)

Pre-Christian Yule and the Christian

Christmas

Christmas is called “Jul” in Swedish and “Jul” is pronounced about the same way as English people would pronounce the word “Yule”. The “Jul” (Yule) in Sweden was originally a pagan tradition that was taken over by Christianity. The Christian Christmas (“Jul”) is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ observed primarily on December 25. Some regions such as Scandinavia celebrate primarily on December 24, rather than December 25. In addition to "Christmas", the holiday has been known by various other names throughout its history. In Old English, Gēola (Yule) referred to the period corresponding to December and January, which was eventually equated with Christian Christmas. Before Sweden’s Christianize, Julblot (Mid-Winter Festival) was celebrated at this time of the year. Blot means sacrificial feast and Julblot a sacrificial feast at yuletide. The pre-Christian “Jul” falls in mid-January and when Sweden was converting to Christianity, Christian traditions took over. However, some of the old pagan traditions survived, however, now in a Christian form within Christmas. To many Swedes “Jul” (Christmas) nowadays is a cultural tradition rather than a religious feast. The image to the right shows Midvinterblot (Mid- Winter Festival), a painting by Carl Larsson (1853-1919), Nationalmuseum. Free image Wikipedia. The pre-Christian “Jul” (Yule) was a pagan feast. The word Jul (Yule) is attested in an explicitly pre- Christian context primarily in Old Norse. In Old Norse poetry, the word is often employed as a synonym for 'feast'. The earliest references to it are in the form of month names, where the Yule- tide period lasts somewhere around two months in length, falling along the end of the modern calendar year between what is now mid-November and early January. In the pre-Christian Jul festivals, banquets where held were those present drank beer and made “blot”, i.e. made sacrifices to the Old Norse gods. Hence, the expression; "to drink jul/yule". The Julblot or Midvinterblot festival was originally held in mid-winter but in the 10th century, it was moved to the same date as the Christian Christmas. The Blot rites were forbidden and abandoned when Sweden became a Christian country. The Icelandic sagas mention three annual Blot feasts; Höstblot (Fall Feast), Midvinterblot (Mid- winter Feast), and Vårblot (Spring Feast). Departing from its pagan roots, Jul (Yule) underwent Christianized reformulation, resulting in the term Christmastide (“Juletid”). Many present- day Christmas customs and traditions such as the Yule log (“Julbrasa”), Yule goat (“Julbock”), Yule boar (“Julgris”), Yule singing (“Julsånger”), and others stem from pagan Yule traditions. When Christianized, the Nordic countries kept the word "Jul" for the new Christian feast. Terms with an etymological equivalent to “Jul” (Yule) are still used in Sweden and the other Scandinavian countries to describe Christmas and other festivals occurring during the winter holiday season. The image to the right shows Jesu födelse (Nativity of Jesus Christ), a painting by the Dutch artist Gerrit van Honthorst (1590/1592 – 1596). Free image Wikipedia. Sweden and the other Scandinavian countries celebrate Christmas (Jul) primarily on December 24, rather than December 25. The main celebration and the exchange of gifts in many families take place on Christmas Eve, December 24. However, the entire period from Advent Sunday and forward marks days of Christmas preparation. In Swedish traditions, Christmas isn’t over until Tjugondag Knut, 13 January (St. Knut's Day). Christmas trees are taken down on Tjugondag Knut, and the candies and cookies that decorated the tree are eaten. In Sweden, the feast held during this event is called a Knut's party (Julgransplundring, literally "Christmas tree plundering"). St. Knut's Day marks the end of the Christmas and holiday season. It is celebrated by taking out the Christmas tree and dancing around it. Nowadays, the feast is mainly for children.

Julgran - Christmas Tree

The story of the Christmas tree begins in Germany in the 16th century. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Christmas tree started being dressed with candles. A Christmas tree is a decorated tree, usually an evergreen conifer, such as spruce, pine or fir, or an artificial tree of similar appearance, associated with the celebration of Christmas, originating in Northern Europe. In the 18th century, it began to be illuminated by candles, which were ultimately replaced by Christmas lights after the advent of electrification. The Christmas tree in Sweden (Julgran) is a custom that was imported from Germany in the 1880s. The first Swedish Christmas trees were generally decorated with live candles and treats such as fruit and candy. Apples were often hung on the branches where the candles were located to make them more parallel to the ground. It soon became more common for families to make their own decorations with paper and straw. Some families preferred to build a Ljuskrona (Chandelier) decorated with cut paper. From around 1880, commercial Christmas tree decorations were readily available in larger Swedish cities, the finest were imported from Germany. The day that people in Sweden buy and dress their Christmas tree varies greatly from family to family, but many have them dressed on 13 December and throw them out by 13 January. The image to the right shows a decorated Christmas tree (Julgran). Free image Wikipedia. There was an early custom in Sweden, probably pre-Christian, to make decorated Julstänger (plural) placed outdoor at Christmastide. This is probably why the custom of keeping a decorated Christmas tree indoors quickly became very popular in Sweden. A julstång is a limbed (and usually with its bark stripped off) small spruce which was erected outdoors in the yard with the top branches kept with or without Christmas decorations. Julstång literally means “Christmas pole”. The image to the right shows a “julstång” decorated with a cross of spruce twigs. Image; Uppland Museum, City of Uppsala, 1959. Digitaltmuseum. The custom of having decorated Christmas trees in Sweden began among the nobility in the 1740s. Not until about a hundred years later, in the mid-1800s, the custom spread to country people. In the beginning, the Christmas trees in farmhouses were small trees, often placed on a table or hung from the ceiling. The large Christmas trees of today began in the middle of the 1800s in homes of the middle-class in their city apartments where the ceiling height was much higher than in the old country farmhouses.

Julklappar - Christmas Presents

A Christmas present (Julklapp) is a gift given in celebration of Christmas. Christmas gifts are often exchanged on Christmas Day in the English speaking countries but on Christmas Eve in the Scandinavian countries. The tradition of gift-giving in general is an old one, but it became associated with Christian feast of Christmas more recently. The Swedish tradition of gifts at Christmas is a very old tradition among the country people. It was a rural tradition among young men to go from house to house knocking heavily on the front door and throwing in a piece of wood or straw doll or some other funny gift. To knock on the door is called “klappa” in Swedish and the Swedish word for Christmas present, Julklapp, literally means “Christmas knock on the door” associated with a gift. Usually the “gifts” had an attached slip of paper with a mean or sarcastic verse. These verses were predecessors to present days rhymed inscriptions written on Christmas presents. It was important for the young men not to be caught in the act since the verses usually were wicked. So, the custom of exchanging Christmas gifts in Sweden began as a joke. Christmas presents as we see them today began in Sweden at the end of the 1700s. The Christmas presents were then delivered by someone dressed as a Christmas Goat or Yule Goat (Julbock). The tradition with Christmas presents delivered by the Julbock was at the end of the 1800s taken over by Jultomten (Santa Claus). At this time, presents were usually homemade. Not until the 1940s, after WWII, could common people afford to buy Christmas presents. The image to the right shows a Julbock delivering Christmas presents at Bollnässtugan, Skansen, 1910s. The image to the left shows a straw Christmas Goat in Gamla stan, Stockholm. Free images Wikipedia. In the Nordic countries, and in Germany, Poland and Austria the exchange of gifts take place on Christmas Eve, while in many other countries on Christmas Day. The Christmas presents can be delivered by a Santa or be placed under the Christmas tree before opened.

Jultomte - Santa Claus

Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts to the homes of well-behaved children on the night of Christmas Eve (24 December) or during the early morning hours of Christmas Day (25 December). The modern Santa Claus grew out of traditions surrounding the historical Saint Nicholas (a fourth- century Greek bishop and gift-giver of Myra). The Swedish tomte or tomtenisse is a mythological creature from Nordic folklore. It is generally described as being no taller than 90 cm (3 ft), having a long white beard, and wearing a conical or knit cap in red or some other bright color. They often have an appearance somewhat similar to that of a garden gnome. The tomte is one of the most familiar creatures of Scandinavian folklore, and he has appeared in many works of Scandinavian literature. In the English editions of the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen the word tomte has been translated as goblin. The word tomte is derived from the term for a place of residence and area of influence: the house lot, tomt. According to tradition, the tomte lives in the houses and barns of the farmstead and secretly acts as their guardian. If treated well, they protect the family and animals from evil and misfortune, and may also aid the chores and farm work. However, they are known to be short-tempered, especially when offended. Once insulted, they will usually play tricks, steal items and even maim or kill livestock. The image to the right shows “Tomten in Tirup feeding the horse”, a woodcut by Andreas Flinch (1842) after a model by Dane Johan Thomas Lundbye. Free image Wikipedia. Despite his small size, the tomte possessed an immense strength. He was easily offended by careless lack of proper respect and lazy farmers. As the protector of the farm and caretaker of livestock, his retributions for bad practices ranged from small pranks like a hard strike to the ear to more severe punishment like killing off the livestock or ruining of the farm's fortune. Observance of traditions was thought important to the tomte as he did not like changes in the way things were done at the farm. He was also easily offended by rudeness: farm workers swearing, urinating in the barns, or not treating the creatures well would do so under the threat of a sound thrashing by the tomte. If anyone spilled something on the floor in the house, it was considered proper to shout a warning to the tomte below. One was also required to please the spirit with gifts (see Blot above) – a particular gift was a bowl of rice pudding (Tomtegröt) on Christmas Eve. If the tomte was not given his payment, he would leave the farm or house, or engage in mischief such as tying the cows' tails together in the barn, turning objects upside-down, and breaking things (like a troll). The tomte liked his pudding with a pat of butter on the top. The tomte shares many aspects with other Scandinavian wights such as the Swedish vättar. The Swedish word tomte is short for tomtenisse or tomtegubbe. Tomten, tomtegubben or gårdstomten (farmstead tomte) are different terms for the farmstead guardian in the Nordic folklore. In Scandinavia, it was Swedish author Viktor Rydberg with his novel Lille Viggs äventyr på julafton “Little Vigg’s adventures on Christmas Eve” (1871) and the poem Tomten “The Tomte" (1881) and Jenny Nyström who illustrated both works, that founded the cultural merger between the old tomte and the modern jultomte (Santa Claus). At that time the Swedish jultomte was a little gray old man with a red woolen hat and a long beard. These images show examples of the “tomte” as Jenny Nyström (1854- 1946) portrayed them. To the top right a “tomte” with Christmas rice pudding. Free images, Wikipedia. The tradition of tomte is, in other words, also associated with Christmas through the Jultomte. The tomte is accompanied by another mythological creature: the Yule goat (The Julbock - see above). The pair appear on Christmas Eve, knocking on the doors of people's homes, handing out presents. By the time there was a gradual fusion between the above, described tomte and the modern jultomte influenced by the American Santa Claus – a portly, jolly, white-bearded man wearing a red coat with white fur collar and cuffs and, a red hat with white fur. This image became popular in the 19th century due to the significant influence of the 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" and of caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast. The image to the left shows a typical American Santa Claus. Santa Claus portrayed by children's television producer Jonathan Meath, 2010. Free image Wikipedia. The first time the word jultomte was used in Sweden was in 1864, as the title of a Christmas magazine. The Swedish Jultomte is thus a blend of the American Santa Claus and the old farmstead tomte in Swedish folklore and was imported as a tradition from the USA in the 19th century. In Sweden and the other Nordic countries, Christmas is celebrated with Christmas presents in the afternoon or early evening on Christmas Eve, December 24. Also in countries such as Poland, Portugal, parts of Switzerland, Germany and Austria, Christmas Eve is the most important day at Christmas. Christmas Eve is the day when people in these countries have their Christmas dishes and exchange Christmas presents. In the English spoken world, Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Day. In these countries, Santa Claus or Father Christmas is handing out Christmas presents during Christmas Night so the children can have them on the morning of Christmas Day, December 25. After Christmas Eve there are two public holidays: Juldagen (Christmas Day) and Annandag jul (Boxing Day).

Advent

The term Advent is derived from Latin adventus (Domini) which means "coming; arrival" (of the Lord). Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year of Western Christian practice. Advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. Associated with Advent was a period of fasting, known also as the Nativity Fast or the Fast of December, starting with the feast of St. Martin, 11 November, until Christmas with 40 days of fasting like the fast of Lent. This period of fasting was later shortened and called "Advent" by the Church. Advent begins on the 4th Sunday before Christmas and lasts until Christmas Eve. The four Sundays before Christmas are called First Advent Sunday (Första Advent), Second Advent Sunday, etc. In Sweden, white candles, a symbol of festivity and purity, are used in celebrating Saint Lucy's Day, 13 December, which always falls within Advent. In the northern hemisphere, this is the darkest period of the year and in Sweden, people light candles in the homes, both live candles and electric candlesticks; for example Adventsljusstake (The Advent Four-branched Candlestick) and Adventsstjärna (The Advent Star Lantern).

Adventsljusstake - Four-branched

Candlestick used at Advent

An adventsljusstake or simply adventsstake is a candlestick with four candles used in Advent. The first candle is lit on Advent Sunday (First Sunday of Advent), and the first candle to be lit is the candle on the extreme left or right. On Second Sunday of Advent, both the first as well as the second candle are lit, i.e. two candles next to each other are burning. On Third Sunday of Advent yet another candle is lit and the final candle is lit on Fourth Sunday of Advent. Since the duration of the candles burning is different the four candles finally form a flight of stairs. The image to the right shows an adventsstake with three burning candles (Third Sunday of Advent) forming a flight of stairs. Free image Wikipedia. The image to the left shows an electric Advent candlestick with seven electric candles. Photo: Hans Högman, 2019. The custom of adventsljusstake with lit candles each Advent Sunday was imported to Sweden at the end of the 1800s. In the northern hemisphere, this is the darkest period of the year and the candlesticks are “lights in the darkness” and very popular. Many Christmas carols are about candles being lit in Advent. The word adventsljusstake is also used for electric Advent candlesticks. The electric Advent candlesticks are usually seven-branched in a pyramidal shape. People have many electric Advent candlesticks in their homes at Advent and they are usually placed on the window ledges (see image). The Advent candlesticks with live candles are usually placed on tables.

Adventsstjärna - Advent Star Lantern

An Adventsstjärna (Advent Star Lantern) or Julstjärna (Christmas Star Lantern) is a star-shaped Christmas decoration with electric lightning, hung by the window on First Sunday of Advent. It symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem or Christmas Star. The custom of Advent Star Lantern comes from Germany and is very popular in Sweden. The image to the right shows an adventsstjärna. Free image Wikipedia. The tradition dates back to the beginning of the 1800s. The first known Advent Star Lantern used in Sweden is the one used in Västerås Cathedral in 1894. The actual word adventsstjärna was used for the first time in Sweden in 1923 and a few years later the tradition became very popular also in private homes.

Lucia - Saint Lucy’s Day

Lucia or Saint Lucy’s Day in English is a Christian feast day observed on 13 December, commemorating Lucia of Syracuse, an early-4th- century martyr. Her feast day, which coincided with the shortest day of the year prior to calendar reforms, is widely celebrated as a festival of light. Falling within the Advent season, Saint Lucy's Day is viewed as a precursor of Christmastide, pointing to the arrival of the Light of Christ. Lucia (Saint Lucy's Day) is celebrated most widely in Sweden and in Italy, with each emphasizing a different aspect of her story. In Sweden, where she is called Sankta Lucia in Swedish, she is represented as a lady in a white dress symbolizing a baptismal robe and a red sash symbolizing the blood of her martyrdom, with a crown or wreath of candles on her head, songs are sung, girls dressed as Saint Lucy carry cookies and saffron buns in procession, which symbolizes bringing the Light of Christ into the world's darkness. Boys participate in the procession as well, playing different roles associated with Christmastide, such as that of Saint Stephen. Lussinatten, the Lussi Night, was marked in Sweden on 13 December. Then Lussi, a female being with evil traits, like a female demon or witch, was said to ride through the air with her followers, called Lussiferda. This itself might be an echo of the myth of the Wild Hunt, called Oskoreia in Scandinavia. Between Lussi Night and Yule, trolls and evil spirits, in some accounts also the spirits of the dead, were thought to be active outside. It was believed to be particularly dangerous to be out during Lussi Night. According to tradition, children who had done mischief had to take special care, since Lussi could come down through the chimney and take them away, and certain tasks of work in the preparation for Yule had to be finished, or else the Lussi would come to punish the household. The tradition of Lussevaka – to stay awake through the Lussinatt to guard oneself and the household against evil, has found a modern form through throwing parties until daybreak. The Swedish Lucia is a blend of both pre-Christian traditions and Christian traditions and these traditions have also spread to the other Nordic countries. The name Lucia is derived from Latin lux, which means light. In Sweden, Lucia is venerated on 13 December in a ceremony where a girl is elected to portray Lucia. Wearing a white gown with a red sash and a crown of candles on her head, she walks at the head of a procession of women, each holding a candle. The candles symbolize the fire that refused to take St. Lucy's life when she was sentenced to be burned. The Swedish lyrics to the Neapolitan song Santa Lucia have traditionally been either “Natten går tunga fjät” (The Night steps heavily) or “Sankta Lucia, ljusklara hägring” (Saint Lucy, bright mirage). The image to the right shows Lucia celebrations in Vaxholm church in 2017. The image to the left shows Lucia celebrations in 2006. Free images Wikipedia. Although Lucia Day is not an official holiday in Sweden, it is a popular occasion in Sweden. At many universities, students hold big formal dinner parties since this is the last chance to celebrate together before most students go home to their families for Christmas. The modern tradition of having public processions in the Swedish cities started in 1927 when the newspaper Stockholms Dagblad elected an official Lucia for Stockholm that year. The initiative was then followed around the country through the local press. Today most cities in Sweden appoint a Lucia every year. Schools elect a Lucia and her maids among the students. The regional Lucies will visit shopping malls, old people's homes and churches, singing and handing out ginger-nut cookies (pepparkakor). A special baked bun, Lussekatt (St. Lucy Bun), made with saffron and in use as early as November, is a very popular Christmas tradition. The image to the right shows Lussebullar / Lussekatter (Lucia buns). The image to the left shows ginger-nut cookies. Free images Wikipedia. The Feast of Lucia has during the 20th century spread to the Swedish speaking areas of Finland, Denmark (1944) and to some extent Norway. In the 1920s the feast also spread to the USA through Swedish immigrants and their Swedish Clubs in the US.

Julbord - Swedish Christmas Buffet

(Smorgasbord)

Christmas dinner is a meal traditionally eaten at Christmas. This meal can take place any time from the evening of Christmas Eve to the evening of Christmas Day itself. The meals are often particularly rich and substantial, in the tradition of the Christian feast day celebration, and form a significant part of gatherings held to celebrate the arrival of Christmastide. The actual meal consumed varies in different parts of the world with regional cuisines and local traditions. In Poland and parts of Germany, the Christmas dinner is carp, in the US and UK turkey is the main dish and in Sweden the “Julbord”, (Christmas table), a Christmas buffet with many different dishes. It is also very common that julbord is organized by employers or organizations and others for the employees or members. There is often lively partying and the party can be an important social meeting place for colleagues. Julbord buffets are a popular tradition that creates high season for the restaurant industry in December. The julbord buffet is characterized by large amounts of food and drink, both traditional and new, hot and cold dishes. Traditional foods include a julbord which has been prepared with all the classic dishes: Christmas ham (julskinka), sausage (prinskorv), hard-boiled egg-halves decorated with bleak roe (löjrom), pickled herring salad (sillsallad), beetroot salad (rödbetssallad), pickled herring in many variates (inlagd sill), marinated salmon (gravlax), smoked salmon (rökt lax), sour cream (gräddfil), wort-flavored rye bread (vörtbröd), potatoes, Jansson’s temptation (Janssons frestelse), ribs, meatballs, rice pudding, cheese, and a special fish dish, lutfisk. The seasonal black soft drink julmust is also served at the julbord, as well as during the whole Christmas holiday. The image to the right shows an example of a julbord. Free image Wikipedia. A traditional julbord is typically eaten in three courses. The dishes include local and family specialties. The first course would typically be a variety of fish, particularly pickled herring and lax (gravlax). It is customary to eat particular foods together; herring is typically eaten with boiled potatoes and hard-boiled eggs and is frequently accompanied by strong spirits like snaps; brännvin or akvavit with or without spices and beer. The second course is often a selection of cold sliced meats, the most important cold cut being the Christmas ham (julskinka) with mustard. Other traditional cuts include homemade sausages, liver paté (leverpastej) and several types of brawn (sylta). It is also common to serve the cold meats with sliced cheese, pickled cucumbers and, soft and crisp breads. The third course would be warm dishes. Traditionally, the third course begins with soaking bread in the stock from the Christmas ham, which is called “dopp i grytan”. Warm dishes include Swedish meatballs (köttbullar), small fried hot dog sausages (prinskorv), roasted pork ribs (revbensspjäll), and warm potato casserole, matchstick potatoes layered with cream, onion and sprats called Janssons frestelse (literally "Jansson's Temptation"). Lutfisk, lye fish made of stockfish (dried ling or cod) served with boiled potato, thick white sauce and green peas can be served with the warm dishes or as a separate fourth course. Lutfisk is often served as dinner the second day after the traditional Christmas Yule-table dinner. Julbord desserts include rice pudding (risgrynsgröt), sprinkled with cinnamon powder. The ham is either boiled or broiled and then painted and glazed with a mixture of egg, breadcrumbs and mustard. Seasonal Beer (Julöl) and the occasional snaps are common beverages to this Christmas meal. Mulled wine called glögg, ginger nuts and saffron buns is served throughout December. Snaps are drunk as shots in special small glasses called snapsglas.

Snaps

Snaps is a Danish and Swedish word for a small shot of a strong alcoholic beverage taken during the course of a meal. A ritual that is associated with drinking snaps is a tradition in Scandinavia, especially in Denmark and Sweden, where it is very common to drink snaps at holidays such as Midsummer, Christmas, and Easter. In Denmark, a snaps will always be akvavit, although there are many varieties of it. In Sweden, snaps is a more general term; it is usually akvavit, although it may also be vodka or some other kind of brännvin. Swedes, Danes and Swedish-speaking Finns have a tradition of singing songs (called snapsvisor) before drinking snaps. These snapsvisor are typically odes to the joys of drinking snaps. They may praise the flavor of snaps or express a craving for it. Akvavit or aquavit is a distilled spirit that is principally produced in Scandinavia, where it has been produced since the 15th century. Akvavit is distilled from grain and potatoes and is flavored with a variety of herbs for example caraway, cumin, anise, fennel, and/or dill seed. Akvavit usually has a yellowish hue, but this can vary from clear to light brown depending on how long it has been aged. Clear akvavit is called taffel, meaning table aquavit. Taffel aquavit is typically aged in old casks that do not color the finished spirit or it is not aged at all. Akvavit is cooled and sipped from a small shot glass. In Sweden commonly the aquavit is consumed immediately following a song, called a snapsvisa. Drinking it without food or at a bar will be considered a little strange. The image to the left shows a traditional snaps glass. The content is usually 6 or 8 cl (2 or 2.7 fl. oz). The image to the right shows a bottle of the Swedish akvavit O. P. Anderson. It is flavored with caraway seeds, aniseed and fennel. So, “snaps” is not the name of a specific liquor but the term for how you drink it - like a shot. What you drink when you are having snaps is usually akvavit. There is a very large variety of akvavit brands, most with different flavors, produced in Sweden and Denmark and to some extent in Norway. A nickname for snaps in Sweden is “nubbe”.

Glögg - Mulled Wine

Mulled wine, also known as spiced wine, is a beverage usually made with red wine along with various mulling spices and sometimes raisins. It is served hot or warm and is alcoholic, although there are non-alcoholic versions of it. It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas. It is served at Christmas markets in Europe. The Nordic mulled wine is called glögg in Sweden and in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, glögg is often drunk at Christmas events. The main ingredients of alcoholic glögg are red wine, sugar, spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and bitter orange, and optionally also stronger spirits such as vodka, akvavit, rum or brandy. Throughout Scandinavia, glögg spice extract and ready-mixed spices can be purchased in grocery stores. The image to the right shows a bottle of ready-made glögg, made by Blossa, Sweden. Free image Wikipedia. Glögg is generally served with raisins, dried cloves, blanched almonds and Ginger biscuits (Ginger Snaps), and is a popular hot drink during the Christmas season. Ready-made wine glögg, as well as low- or non-alcoholic varieties, is normally sold at Systembolaget in Sweden, and in Alko in Finland, ready to heat and serve.

Julskinka - Christmas Ham

A Christmas ham or Yule ham is a dish often served for Christmas dinner in northern Europe and the Anglosphere. Julskinka (Christmas ham) for Christmas is an old tradition in Sweden. The Julskinka, which is salt-cured, is first boiled; then painted and glazed with a mixture of egg, breadcrumbs, and mustard; and then baked. Cured ham (rimmad skinka) has the characteristic cooked- ham pink color when cooked (see image). Julskinka is regarded as the centerpiece of a Swedish julbord (Christmas buffet) and is eaten cold, i.e. cold cut. The image to the right shows a julskinka (Christmas ham). Free image Wikipedia. Formerly most pigs were slaughtered in October - November and salt-cured. However, a “Christmas pig” (julgris) was spared to be slaughtered before sunrise on 13 December, i.e. before Lucia Day. Thereby Christmas could be celebrated with fresh meat too. However, present-day “Julskinka” wasn’t introduced until the 1850s. The custom began at the large manors of the aristocrats and then spread to the country people. These days most Swedes buy a Christmas ham that has already been boiled and then simply glaze it at home.

Janssons frestelse - Jansson's temptation

Janssons frestelse (Jansson's temptation) is a traditional Swedish casserole made of potatoes, onions, pickled sprats, bread crumbs, and cream. It is commonly included in a Swedish Christmas dinner table, but can be eaten on other occasions such as Easter and Midsummer. The potatoes are cut into thin strips and layered in a roasting tin, alternating with the sprats (skarpsill) and chopped onions in between. Salt and pepper are put over each layer, then cream is added so that it almost fills the tin. It is finally baked in an oven. The image to the right shows a baked Janssons frestelse. Free image Wikipedia. The dish is referred to for the first time in 1928. The origin of the dish isn’t entirely clear. The name might have been borrowed from the Swedish film Janssons frestelse (1928) featuring the popular actor Edvin Adolphson. Others claim that the name originated with the Swedish opera singer Pelle Janzon (1844–89), remembered as a gourmand. The dish was in the beginning foremost a late-night snack but soon became a loved classic dish. No julbord would be complete without Janssons frestelse.

Source References

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