Discover the Magic: Top 6 Unique and Festive Fun Facts About Christmas in Sweden

1. The Flammable Gävle Goat

It's not always smooth sailing in the Swedish city of Gävle – especially for a certain straw goat who's been having a tough time keeping the flames of misfortune at bay during Christmas celebrations: The Gävle Goat (Gävlebocken) is a festive display comprised entirely of straw, and although it’s a cherished symbol of the season, the poor creature has met a fiery demise 38 times since its debut in 1966. Fear not, for its loyal Goat Committee works tirelessly to rebuild it after every attack. But beware, vandals: tampering with this cultural icon is a crime punishable by time behind bars according to the Svea Court of Appeal. Despite these (quite literally) burning tribulations, the Gävle Goat remains a beloved part of Sweden's Christmas festivities.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Sweden's Super-Long Holiday Season

Move over, 12 Days of Christmas – Sweden's got you beat by a mile: The holiday season in this frosty Nordic wonderland stretches from the first Advent in late November all the way to St. Knut's Day on January 13, with gift-giving and main festivities taking place on Christmas Eve, followed by public holidays on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know that Australians swap snowmen for sandcastles during their Christmas celebrations? With sunny beaches, BBQs, and a surfing Santa, the holiday season Down Under is a unique and warm experience! 🏄‍♂️🎄🇦🇺

=> Fun Facts about Christmas-Around-The-World

3. Latte-meets-Christmas Santa Lucia Parade

Imagine if your morning latte came to life and threw a festive party: that's precisely how Sweden kicks off Christmas season! Donning white robes, a prancing parade of singing youngsters celebrates the Santa Lucia Day on December 13th: The procession is led by a girl wearing a crown of candles, followed by other candle-clutching kids in white gowns and tall paper cones, with some dressed as adorable gingerbread men and Santa's elves; the day's merriment includes feasting on Swedish treats, dancing around a Christmas tree, and a spectacular guest appearance by old Kris Kringle himself.
Source => sahswi.org

4. A "Swede-r" Christmas Feast

Who needs a Christmas roast when you can pig out on a Scandinavian feast with all the trimmings? Just let your taste buds embark on a yuletide journey to the land of ABBA, IKEA, and Vikings, and you might find that Christmas is even "Swede-r" than you thought: In Sweden, the traditional Christmas buffet, known as "Julbord," includes salt-cured unsmoked ham called "Julskinka," rice porridge, and fragrant limpa bread flavored with fennel or anise, cumin, and orange rind. For a scrumptious finishing touch, the ham can be glazed with egg yolks, brown sugar, and mustard, then coated in finely crumbled gingersnaps or breadcrumbs before roasting to golden perfection.
Source => thespruceeats.com

5. Donald Duck's Christmas Broadcast

In Sweden, 'quacking' up a good time is just Ducky: On Dec. 24 at 3 p.m., half of the country gathers around their screens for a time-honored tradition, "Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul" or "Donald Duck and his friends wish you a Merry Christmas," a show featuring classic Disney cartoons hosted by Jiminy Cricket since 1959 – not all of which have anything to do with Christmas, but it's a festive fan favorite nonetheless!
Source => slate.com

6. Elves' Epic Julbord Extravaganza

Swedish elves be feasting: Their Christmas season revolves around a mouthwatering Julbord, a smörgåsbord so wild it would make The Swedish Chef from The Muppets weak in the knees! In all seriousness, this festive meal is served on December 24th and dates back to the 1500s, featuring an impressive array of fish, bread, cheese, cold meats, hot dishes, desserts, and the all-important glögg, a warm spiced wine.
Source => npr.org