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Kul Jul

Christmas signals the time for families to come together, and this Christmas should be no different I thought. All it takes is someone who loves family and Christmas, to have 1 bad experience apart from family, to really realise how valuable Christmas with family should be,

I had agreed with my relatives to spend Christmas with them, and I am so grateful that they allowed me stay and share Christmas with them.

Spending 25 years celebrating Christmas the Swedish way in a hot South Africa, lends itself to certain expectations, habits and experiences. To spend Christmas, the Swedish way, in Sweden; well now, things make a lot more sense with food, traditions, and a whole new experience.

The build up to Christmas goes like this: Sun setting at 14h30, its dark most of the day, its cold, some parts of Sweden doesn’t snow (Not traditionally) People come home to families, Santa Lucia allows for starting to eat Lussekatte (Saffron buns) for fika, cookies, cakes, saffron and spices become the order of the day, advent lights in every window, decorations, music, decorations and a whole lot more.

Christmas tree’s that are plastic are not acceptable, here things are different. A trudge into the forest, snow depth up to our waist in places, minus 20degree’s and we found our perfect tree for the house. The smell of a real tree while decorating it is fantastic; I will gladly “shop” for tree’s like that every single time!

And then there is food

Sweden was a starving nation 100 years ago and allowed themselves to eat well on Julafton: Christmas Eve. This is still remembered to this day, and it was no different. We spent the afternoon at Madsie and Andreas house. 5 Grandchildren, 7 Adults and a million things to eat. After afternoon fika, the Christmas Smorgasbord begins. Meatballs yes, potatoes, yes. Then there is far more. Ribs, pickled fish (8 types, including one backed in potatoes), salads (more potatoes), breads (old and new), cheeses, brussel sprouts, mustards, hams, sausages…the list goes on.

And once you have eaten so much that you think you cant eat any more, there is deserts…cake, cream, ice cream, sweets, sugar, oh my greatness so much of eating.

And Julmust, Svargdryck, Jul öl, and cider to drink.

3pm during the time adults fika, is the time for kalleanke, Donald duck and really old cartoons on telly, strange tradition. By this time, the children cant hold themselves from excitement of seeing all the presents. This, combined with sweets and cakes makes their blood sugars rush…and the rest is history as a mad flurry of ripping, screaming, tearing…of wrapping paper and gifts produces euphoria amongst children, that I am sure is hard to measure and even harder to experience as adults. Watching the children with presents. I have always remembered being the hyperactive one handing out presents, but from a different side, this was a joy to watch.

And like that, the excitement dips. The 25^th of December is normally spent recovering, going to Julotton (Morning church), more fika, more food, went for a ski and just enjoying the time as a family.

26 December: Mellandags. The day after: and the end of the world in shopping. Mellandags Rea its called, where everyone goes, in no other word, befok in shopping. Thankfully I escaped it and went ice skating on a frozen lake instead; skidskor, Blades about 45cm long strapped to your feet, on a lake that’s frozen over. As Monica said: “Like Bambi on ice”. Its not easy, but it is fun.

So, that’s that, 20-26 December wrapped up in a nice little story, may it answer any questions and spark up any emotions of nostalgia…

Gud Jul och Got Nytt År.