Emily Chan
There’s a lot to love about Christmas. In the United States, we have many traditions that have stood the test of time, like baking cookies, singing Christmas carols, and exchanging gifts.
But what makes the holiday even more special is the fact that other countries around the world have developed their own unique Christmas traditions.
As the Christmas season draws closer, let’s dive into some of the ways that places such as Sweden celebrate Christmas. If you’ve ever been curious about how our friends from up north ring in the holidays, you’ll find that their winter festivities are as interesting as their other cultural habits.
A TikTok creator named Holly Lindberg (@hollylindyyy) is talking about one Swedish Christmas tradition that she’s not really a fan of. However, her husband is Swedish and likes to follow the customs of his home country.
“In Swedish tradition, you’re not allowed to take down any Christmas decorations, especially the Christmas tree, until January 13th, which is called St. Knut’s Day,” said Holly.
St. Knut’s Day is a traditional festival that is celebrated in Sweden and Finland. It marks the end of Christmas and the holiday season. People usher out Christmas by discarding the tree and dancing around it. Additionally, a feast may be held for the children.
The day is named after Canute Lavard, or Knut Levard, a Danish duke assassinated by his cousin, Magnus Nilsson, who wanted to take over the throne. After Knut’s death, there was a civil war, which led to him being later declared a saint.
Although Holly would much rather take down her decorations right away, she admits that this Swedish tradition does allow you to prolong the magical feel of Christmas.
In the comments section, several TikTok users dropped a few other traditions that Swedes practice during the Christmas season.
Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
