Swedish Christmas -- Preschool & Kindergarten
Swedish Christmas
God Jul Och Ett Gott Nytt Ar
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Things to Know
In Sweden the Christmas season begins with St. Lucia Day. St. Lucia is celebrated all over Sweden and in Norway on December 13th. Lucia is a 4th century Italian Saint.
The Tomten (Tomte)
The tomten is generally no taller than three feet, has a long white beard, attired in grey woolen clothes, and wears a conical or knit cap in red or some other bright color.
Tomtes demand a bowl of julegrøt (Christmas porridge) with butter on Christmas Eve.
In the 1800s the tomte became the bearer of Christmas presents and was then called jultomte in Sweden. The Swedish "Jultomte" has features and traditions that are rooted in the local culture: he does not retreat to the North Pole,
but lives in a forest, field or stream nearby.
Tomte illustration
by Jenny Nystrom
Songs
Lucia traditional song (English version)
Walk in a procession and sing the song.
Now the light is carried forth,
proud on its crown,
in every house and home,
the song shall ring.
Now the light is carried forth,
proud on its crown,
in every house and home,
the song shall ring.
On this Lucia day,
our circle of friendship is greeted,
Saint Lucia,
Saint Lucia.
On this Lucia day,
our circle of friendship is greeted,
Saint Lucia,
Saint Lucia.
Art
St. Lucia Wreath
Need: green posterboard, construction paper (yellow, white, green,
red), yellow tissue paper
Cut a circle from the posterboard about 12" (30cm)long and 12" (25cm) wide. Cut out the center to fit on a child's head (like a hat brim). Make small cuts of about 1" (2.5cm) around the inner circle. Try it on a child's head. It should fit snugly.
Make about 5 candles by rolling and taping white construction paper into tubes. Make several clips at the base of each candle and bend them outward. Tape the candles to the circle and place crumpled yellow tissue paper into each end for a candle flame.
Cut leaves from green construction paper. Cut small red circles from construction paper for the berries. Glue leaves and berries to the wreath covering the wreath and the candle bases.
Salt Dough Tomten Sculpture
Salt dough is great for sculpting. Find a salt dough recipe on the Art Reicpes webpage.
Salt Dough, a bit of fabric,
paint and a pair
of tiny wooden shoes.
Swedish Woven Paper Heart
This is difficult at first but once you get one done it is easy.
Recommended Book
This classic picture book by Astrid Lindgren was adapted from a poem by Viktor Rydberg. It depicts a traditinal Swedish character the tomten, the house elf, who is a protector that lives on a farm. This is delight for young children with exquisite illustrations by Harald Wiberg.
Tomten Story Video
Recipes
Non-Alcoholic Swedish Glogg
Glogg is the traditional drink in Swedenduring the six weeks leading up to December 25.
2 cups water or orange juice
1 (3-inch) piece orange rind
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
2 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
5 whole allspice
2 cardamom pods, (crack the cardamon pods before adding them to the mix or you can use an equal amount of ground cardamon.)
3 cups (236-ml) grape juice
Garnishes: blanched almonds, raisins or craisins
Combine ingredients in a pot over medium heat. Bring mixture to simmer (do not boil). Reduce heat, cover, and simmer about 15 minutes. The longer it simmers the stronger the flavor. Strain mixture or remove all the spices and zest with a slotted spoon.
Place blanched almonds or/and raisins or craisins in bottom of cup, pour warm glogg over and enjoy.
The
Tomten Page
Learn about the folklore of the Tomten.
