Santa Lucia!

Happy Santa Lucia!! 

 

Most females of my age are familiar with this image:

Kirsten! Source: http://store.americangirl.com/agshop/html/item/id/9354

Turns out my Swedish grandma is waaaay hip and anticipated this American Girl Doll trend way earlier. Guess what! Santa Lucia is a real thing… in Sweden… Today! Yup. Santa Lucia is December 13th. I was talking to my grandma last night on the phone. They used real candles. This seems really, really scary. They also but real candles (and lit them) on their Christmas trees. And her parents would go down to the barn to do the farm chores and leave her and her two brother in the house with the candles lit on the tree. Funny how that would probably be a reason to get the Department of Human Services involved these days. Anyway… 

 

Source: http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Lifestyle/Traditions/Celebrating-the-Swedish-way/Lucia/

When I studied abroad in Sweden, I got to experience Santa Lucia Day first hand. I was familiar with the traditions from my grandma and my obsession with all things American Girl. Traditionally it is the eldest daughter of a family that gets to wear the attire and serve the rolls and coffee. I totally held this against my sister because I am older than her. She never really cared. Totally made me waaaay cooler. When I was little I had a crown thing with candles for Santa Lucia day. I REALLY wanted to light it and wear it around the house. I think my mom hid it. 

 

Traditionally, people eat lussekatter on Santa Lucia Day. They are really delisious saffron buns with raisins. They are supposed to look like a cat. I mean, I guess? Swedes also eat a lot of pepparkakor, or gingersnaps!! I found the gingersnaps in Sweden (and my grandma’s house) are really thin and crisp. 

Source: http://www.misi.se/blog/2010/12/08/misi-review-lussekatter-with-saffran/

 

And because this got me thinking about my time in Sweden, here are some pictures.

Me and a Swedish horse!

Making the very important lussekatter purchase in Sweden with my grandma

I think I will wonder up to Andersonville later today, the Swedish part of Chicago to see what I can find for my grandma for Christmas. Shall be an adventure!!!

 

Did you know about Santa Lucia?!?!

 

Xoxo,

Emily

 

 

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