I first learned about
St. Lucia's Day when I was 6 years old and received the Kirsten American Girl Doll for Christmas. (
RIP Kirsten, btw). I have wanted to play the role of Lucia ever since. Traditionally in Sweden (and other Northern and Eastern European countries), St. Lucia's Day is a feast day on which the eldest girl in the family wakes up early, bakes buns called Lussekatt, makes coffee, and dons traditional garb which includes a wreath filled with candles on her head. Fire hazard? Most definitely. (Although now the candles are usually battery powered.)
Also, since 1927 Stockholm has been electing an official Lucia each winter. She leads a city-wide procession. Most smaller cities and towns around Sweden have taken up this tradition as well, holding their own competitions for Lucia. Anyway, in honor of this day, I've decided to show you some Scandinavian Christmas images.
Don't you love those little trolls/"tomte"? I bought one like them for my dad when we were in Stockholm. We named him Humfrid, in case you were curious. God Jul!
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