SWEDISH CHRISTMAS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21069, 31 December 1931, Page 12

SWEDISH CHRISTMAS.

TREE ALL-IMPORTANT. RELIGIOUS ASPECTS. " Your Christmas is very different from ours ill Sweden," said Mrs. Sign© Bergvall, a visitor from Stockholm, who is at present slaying in Wellington. 'Die remark was occasioned by her experience of tlie crowded streets and busy shops of Wellington on Christmas Eve, with the noisy youths and young girls, and the general air of high carnival with which the great number of pcoplo usher in the birthday of Christ. "Our Christmas Eve is nothing like yours at all," repeated Airs. Bergvall. " You see, it is the depth of winter with us, and that makes a difference j but the spirit is different also. The day before Christmas Eve wo get in the Christmas tree. If one lives in tho country tho men go away and cut it down themselves; if it is in tho city the people either buy them or secure them from friends in tho country. They usually get them in a day before, because when tho weather is wet it takes some time to dry the tree off under cover. " With us tho Christmas tree is allimportant. On tho morning of Christmas Evo it is set up in the window, where all may see it, and decorated with tiny candles each in a little holder and plenty of little Hags of all nations, with tho Swedish flag, of course, on tho top. There are also sweets, caramels and the like on the tree, but not the presents for the children. They arc deposited underneath tho tree to await the hour of tho giving. Shops Close Early. *' In Sweden nearly all the offices close at one o'clock and the shops at three o'clock in tho afternoon of Christmas Eve. That is where it is so different from your Christmas Eve," said Mrs. Bergvall. " The darkness shuts down early, and you find it difficult to sec anyone abroad • after five o'clock. -As a matter of fact, (lie streets are deserted, for everyone is at homo for the dinner which takes place at four o clock, when it is already dark. lhis is a family affair, and everyone feels it incumbent t.o be home then. Tins dinner is usually served m the kitchen. .Ail the pots and pans are polished up and tho place is decsoratcd for the occasion. The one traditional dish is the dipped breadthat is, bread cut into pieces and dipped in the gravy in which tho Christmas meats have been cooked. Tin's is called ' dappa i gvejtan.' It is not very pleasant, 1 confess, but it conies down through hundreds of years as a tradition, and no Swedish family would be without it on Christinas live. Neither at this nor any other meal is there any equivalent to the English Christinas pudding. Then the Christmas tree is lighted up and there is a jolly , hour or two. About seven o'clock the presents aro distributed among the children', before they aro sent happily to bed. Then follows a formal supper—which is really a full dinner —-at about eight o'clock. No one dreams of going out. as there is nothing to see; it is probably cold, often with snow on the ground, and quito dark. It is just a quiet family evening. Strictly Religious. " Christmas Day is observed in its most religious sense," said Mrs. Bergvall. " There is no jollification, no holidaymaking. Nearly everyone goes to church, beginning at seven o'clock in the morning. It, is then still dark, but the journey to church is made bright and interesting by reason of the fact that everyone's Christmas tree is fully lighted and as they are set in the windows with the blinds fully up a cheerful glow shines from every house along the way. There are other services at. 3.1 a.m. and 5 p.m., but of course one need not go to all three or four services. Still, it is a very solemn and religious day in Sweden. Boxing Day, as you call it, is ' annandag jul' with us—the second Christmas—and is observed as a holiday bv holding parties and in tho exchange of dinner visits."