Johanna, Gabriel and Ella starting to decorate the julgran. Many families in Sweden don't actually get their tree until the day before Christmas Eve.
It is tradition in Sweden for the man of the house, or father to put the star on the Christmas tree.
Gabriel and Ella in front of the finished tree patiently waiting for tomten (Santa) to come.
The big meal, presents, family, santa, and everything takes place on Christmas Eve in Sweden. Then Christmas Day, people just relax and hang out with family.
One of the Swedish Christmas traditions is to watch Kalle Anka (Donald Duck). Before TV was so prevalent, there was only one 30 minute period where Disney cartoons would be shown in the entire year, and this was on Christmas Eve. So families would all gather around the television, and watch a series of short cartoon clips (in swedish of course). These clips consisted of mickey mouse, donald duck, lady and the tramp, robin hood and more.
Christmas Eve dinner table setting. On top of the plates are Christmas crackers (typically done in Britain from what I understand). Everyone sits at the table and crosses their arms so they are holding onto one end of their cracker and one end of someone else's and everyone pulls at the same time and they explode with an assortment of gifts inside.
Johanna and Gabriel on Christmas Eve after pulling their Christmas crackers.
Julbord- cheese and bread
Julbord- meatballs, herring, cabbage, beet root salad, beans, ham, sausage, potatoes.
Julbord dessert table
Right after we all sat down, everyone picked up the full schnapps glass in front of them and started singing/chanting in Swedish. Before I knew what was going on, everyone threw back the shot. Not really knowing what was going on, I did the same, and it was rough. Turns out, it is very typical to sing drinking songs and drink a lot of schnapps for Christmas Eve. But the schnapps did make the herring go down a little smoother.
The kids awaiting Tomten's arrival. In Sweden, Santa actually comes to the house. Which at first I thought sounded strange, but is actually way more fun than not seeing him, like in the US. Andreas bought a Santa costume, put it on, and went over to the neighbors to be Santa for the kids next door. In turn, their dad put on a Santa costume and was Santa for us. The kids had no idea who it was.
Tomten giving a gift to Ella. (He even had a gift in that bag for me!) Weirdly enough, the gift he had for me said to Emily from Ella.
Skål Tomten! (Cheers Santa!) If you were to give Santa milk and cookies in Sweden, he would be very disappointed. Usually something a little stronger is given such as whiskey, schnapps, or champagne.
Ella with her new Christmas present on- Juicy Couture sweatsuit.
Christmas Eve aftermath.
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