How to Have a Scandinavian Christmas

Are you ready to transform your holiday season with a touch of Nordic charm? A Scandinavian Christmas is all about cozy traditions, hearty feasts, festive drinks, and plenty of hygge (that’s Danish for cozy vibes). Let’s dive into how you can celebrate the season like they do in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark — complete with a traditional recipe (and it’s a goodie!) to add a delicious finale to your festivities. 

Five Steps to a Scandinavian Christmas  

1. Feast on a Holiday Smörgåsbord (Julbord)

No Scandinavian Christmas is complete without a lavish spread of festive dishes. Known as Julbord in Sweden, this holiday buffet is a staple across all of the Nordics:  

- Sweden 🇸🇪: Enjoy Janssons Frestelse (a creamy potato casserole with anchovies), Julskinka (glazed ham), and Risgrynsgröt (rice pudding with a hidden almond for good luck).  

- Norway 🇳🇴: Try Ribbe (pork ribs with crispy crackling), Pinnekjøtt (salted lamb ribs), and Krumkake (thin, rolled cookies filled with cream).  

- Denmark 🇩🇰: Savor Flæskesteg (roast pork with crispy crackling), Smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches), and Risalamande (rice pudding with cherry sauce and a hidden almond).  

Whether you’re crafting a buffet at home or attending a festive gathering, a Scandinavian-style feast is sure to bring some holiday cheer. Not to mention, this meat-and-potatoes-heavy spread is great for soaking up a fizzy cup of julmust or a piping hot mug of glöggvin!

2. Drink Some Glöggvin and Julmust  

What’s Christmas without festive drinks? In Sweden, julmust, a spiced malt beverage, takes center stage. This fizzy soda is so beloved that Coca-Cola sales drop dramatically during the holidays as Swedes flock to their seasonal favorite. Pair it with a warm cup of glöggvin (mulled wine) and toast to the season with a hearty “skål!” After all, don’t forget the Swedish saying:  

"En jul utan julmust är som en tomte utan skägg!" 

(A Christmas without julmust is like a Santa without a beard!)  

3. Celebrate on Christmas Eve  

Unlike in some parts of the world, Scandinavians celebrate Christmas on the 24th of December. Festivities include opening presents, feasting, and spending time with family -- the best way to spend the holidays. The Nordic countries traditionally celebrate their holy days on the eve before, a tradition stemming from how ancient people in this part of the world use to track the time and date. Plus, baby Jesus was born on the night of the 24th, leading most European countries to celebrate and exchange gifts on Christmas Eve. The 25th of December is actually a rather quiet day in Scandinavia, with most of the festivities taking place the day before.

"It has become a tradition for many Nordics in Bangkok to attend the Nordic Christmas Mass and Juleskål on the 24th. Every year after the mass, the Thai-Nordic Association serves glögg, which most Nordics drink, and æbleskiver, which are traditional Danish pancake puffs."

- Alexander Wetterling, Vice Chairman of Thai-Nordic Association

4. Meet Jultomten  

In Sweden, Santa — known as Jultomten — doesn’t sneak down the chimney. Instead, a family member or neighbor dons the Santa suit and knocks on the door, asking, “Are there any good children here?” It’s a heartwarming tradition that keeps the spirit of Christmas alive and playful. Plus, if you want to lodge a complaint about your present, I guess you’re already face-to-face with the manager!

5. Watch Kalle Anka and Bake Some Treats

In Sweden, it’s a tradition to gather around the TV at 3pm on Christmas Eve to watch Donald Duck’s Christmas special (“Kalle Ankas Jul”). It’s kind of like Walt Disney’s “From All of Us to All of You” Christmas special, but much more popular. Be sure to bake some festive treats for everyone to enjoy while watching.

Like in many cultures, holiday baking is a big yuletide tradition. After all, what’s better than a spicy pepparkaka cookie, or a soft and saffrony lussekatt bun?

"As a European chef, baking is a very popular tradition during Xmas for different reasons. Baked goods can last outside for hours (unlike other types of food), allowing families to enjoy them throughout the day. In Sweden, Pepparkakor cookies (gingerbread cookies) are a holiday staple. Other Scandinavian countries also have their own festive treats such as Kransekake from Norway, a delicious almond ring cake, and in Finland, Joulutorttu (Christmas star pastries) are a beloved holiday treat filled with plum jam and shaped like a star.”

- Chef Sirikalya, Chef Lucas Baking Studio

Baking together is not just about the treats — it’s a way to create memories that last long after the cookies are gone. If you don’t have time to make your own, be sure to grab a few raisin Danishes and a loaf of rye bread from Holey Artisan Bakery!

Scandinavian Christmas Phrasebook  

Want to impress your guests? Learn how to say "Merry Christmas" in Scandinavian languages! 

- Swedish: God Jul!

- Norwegian: God Jul!

- Danish: Glædelig Jul!

The Only Swedish Christmas Song You Need to Know

If you really want to celebrate this holiday the Scandinavian way, you’ll have to sing at least one round of “Helan Går!” This is the Swedish drinking song to end all drinking songs, and the festivities aren’t complete without at least one verse. 

All you need for this is a shot of Aquavit -- and someone to drink with!

Helan Går!

Helan går
Sjung hopp faderallan lallan lej!
Helan går
Sjung hopp faderallan lej!
Och den som inte helan tar
Han heller inte halvan får
Helan går…
(ดื่ม!)
Sjung hopp faderallan lej! Hej!

Translation:

Here's the first
Sing "hup fol-de-rol la la la la!"
Here's the first
Sing "hup fol-de-rol la la!"
He who doesn't drink the first
Shall never, ever quench his thirst
Here's the first…
(Drink)
Sing "hup fol-de-rol la la!"

Recipe: Traditional Swedish Pepparkakor (Gingerbread Cookies)  

Ingredients:  

- 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour  

- 2 tsp baking soda  

- 1 tsp cinnamon  

- 1 tsp ground cloves  

- 1 tsp ground ginger  

- 1 tsp ground cardamom  

- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened  

- 1 cup white sugar  

- ½ cup packed brown sugar  

- 1 large egg, beaten  

- 2 tbsp dark corn syrup  

Instructions:  

1. Sift the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, spices) into a bowl.  

2. Cream butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy. Add egg and corn syrup, mixing well. Gradually add dry ingredients until blended.  

3. Divide dough into four portions, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.  

4. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease baking sheets.  

5. Roll out dough to ⅛ inch thick. Use cookie cutters for shapes.  

6. Place cookies 1 inch apart on baking sheets and bake for 5 minutes. Cool on wire racks.  

7. Decorate with royal icing if desired. 

Embracing a Nordic Christmas  

Celebrating Christmas the Scandinavian way is all about warmth, togetherness, and tradition. From a festive Julbord to joyful baking sessions and sipping on julmust, there’s something magical for everyone. So this holiday season, bring a bit of the Nordics into your home and create memories with your loved ones that will last a lifetime. After all, that’s what Christmas is all about.

God Jul och Gott Nytt År from all of us at Bangkok Art City!