Sample the delights of Swedish Christmas food

The first sign of Christmas in Sweden usually comes in the shape of food. Christmas Eve may be the main event on the Swedish calendar of festivities, but you'll be able to sample seasonal classics as early as November – think Christmas gingerbread and saffron buns (‘lussekatter’).

The S-shaped ‘lussekatter’ play a particularly important role on 13 December, when Swedes celebrate Saint Lucia Day to mark the winter solstice. With the country shrouded in darkness, girls and boys wear white gowns and carry candles, singing songs to celebrate Saint Lucia, the bearer of light. Guests are treated to trayfuls of gingerbread cookies and ‘lussekatter’.

These fragrant treats are washed down with Swedish ‘glögg’, a spiced sweet wine served warm. Having tried it, you may want to know where to buy Swedish glögg? Most supermarkets stock alcohol-free versions as well as ready-made spice mixes to take home and add to red wine. The alcoholic version is sold exclusively at Systembolaget, Sweden's dedicated alcoholic drinks retailer.

In recent years, a richer saffron pastry bun called ‘saffransbulle’ has grown in popularity. For a brief period, this almond-filled treat replaces the cinnamon bun ('kanelbulle') as the go-to fika treat in Swedish bakeries and coffee shops. It's a must-try if you visit Sweden in December.

Christmas gingerbread – in every shape and size

Gingerbread is intrinsically linked to Christmas in Sweden and is believed to have come here in the late 19th century, inspired by the Brothers Grimm and their legendary fairy tale about Hansel and Gretel. As for the gingerbread man’s origin, he's believed to have made his first appearance at the court of Elizabeth I of England, who allegedly had cookies baked to resemble important guests. Centuries on, he's come to symbolise Christmas in Sweden and beyond.

In addition to gingerbread cookies – traditionally shaped like hearts, pigs, women and, of course, men – there's a mightier version to consider, namely the gingerbread house ('pepparkakshus' in Swedish). Setting an afternoon aside to craft these edible houses is a seasonal highlight for children and grown-ups alike. Made from the same delicious dough as the cookies, thinly rolled and carefully formed, with all-important decorations that include colourful Swedish candy and piped icing sugar, used to resemble snow. Make the dough from scratch or buy it ready-made. As for the various parts, there are templates online as well as ready-made gingerbread house kits.

In celebration of the gingerbread house tradition, Stockholm design and architecture museum ArkDes holds an annual competition and exhibition displaying innovative takes on the distinctive classic – 'Gingerbread House 2024' runs from 29 November until 12 January.

'Julbord' – the ultimate Christmas smorgasbord

The mere mention of 'julbord', translating to ‘Christmas table’, gets Swedes into the holiday spirit. This buffet-style feast is too good to only have once a year, which is why it often features as part of workplaces' perennial Christmas parties. But its most anticipated outing is on Christmas Eve when families gather around its bountiful display.

The crowning glory of this mainstay is the Christmas ham (‘julskinka’). Boiled and breaded, it's presented in its entirety and then sliced and eaten cold, often with a dollop of mustard. Other essentials – several of which were considered luxury foods for Swedish households a couple of centuries back – are Swedish meatballs ('köttbullar'), dry-cured salmon ('gravlax'), short ribs, cocktail sausages ('prinskorv'), potatoes, chopped beetroot salad ('rödbetssallad') and different varieties of pickled herring ('sill'). Many make their own, buying herring in brine and adding spices and sauces.

A relatively new addition, added to the table in the 1940s, is ‘Jansson’s temptation’ ('Janssons frestelse'), a gratin dish made of julienned potatoes, onions, anchovies and cream. And more recent still, today’s julbord increasingly features plant-based options, including veggie counterparts for meatballs and ham.

A very Swedish Christmas – good times and treats aplenty

The sweet-toothed have plenty to choose from, including 'Ris à la Malta', a vanilla rice pudding typically served with orange slices. Traditionally, an almond is hidden inside the creamy rice – whoever finds it is said to get married next. A range of homemade sweets is also on the menu – the main ones being 'knäck', a butterscotch toffee with chopped almonds; and 'ischoklad', a melt-in-the-mouth type of chocolate. Both are poured into tiny, colourful cases, making for decorative Christmas displays.

To wash it all down with, there is 'julöl' (dark, seasonal beer) and snaps, although no julbord is complete without ‘julmust’ – an alcohol-free soft drink that tastes like a cross between Coca-Cola and root beer. The Swedish Christmas menu – spanning food, drink and sweet treats – embodies the warmth of spirit that Swedes wrap themselves up in. God Jul!