Comments on: It’s Christmastime! Swedish Christmas Decorations to Put Up

By: nicole

nicole — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 15:00:21 +0000

Hi, those Swedish stars are beautiful! Do you know of any place in the US to purchase them? Thank you, Nicole

By: CanadianChick

CanadianChick — Fri, 13 May 2011 10:23:56 +0000

And the fact that the goat is the symbol for Capricorn which starts at the date of the Winter Solstice – December 21st.

By: Kay

Kay — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:58:01 +0000

Heh, even if not intended. I think it quite funny the dedication some people must have to destroy it. They guard it and soak it in flame repellent yet it usually still ends up the same way.

By: Sapphire

Sapphire — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:59:19 +0000

I want to go burn down a giant straw goat. Sorry Kay, burning down a goat is more entertainment than arson.

By: Kay

Kay — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:06:06 +0000

I may be wrong but I think the Gävlebocken is usually subject to arson attacks and vandalism rather than the event being seen as a fun occassion to come and watch a giant goat burn…

By: Anonymous Swede

Anonymous Swede — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:46:15 +0000

Here’s a good article on the origin of the tomte:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomte

I wonder if the garden gnome has its origin in the tomte:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnome

By: Sapphire

Sapphire — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:50:37 +0000

Matthias – My bad, I didn’t realize that. Very cool how the pagan and Christian traditions blend together. Do you anything else about the history of tomte?

Puntino – I have you covered! This week will be a post on all the Swedish Xmas holidays plus another post on Christmas food. ;)

By: Puntino

Puntino — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:07:03 +0000

really a nice post :) but, you spoke only about the decorations.. what about the food ? how do they spend their Christmas time ? For instance, we are quite homey, we like gathering in front of a table and play several typical Christmas games as well as some common card games. In the meanwhile we eat all the Christmas sweets that we can find in our house :)

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:00:25 +0000

Ahhh, the Gävle Goat!
I need to make a 40′ one and set it on fire. Oh wait, that already happens! :)

Actually, the tomte are adorable. Gonna bring home a few for friends and family. Maybe, just maybe, one will pop up in my window!

Candles? I don’t trust myself with fire :p. I’d leave it, fall asleep and next thing POOF!

By: Mattias

Mattias — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:16:29 +0000

Well, tomte and Santa claus isn’t really the same thing. Tomte has roots in old nordic folk lore, while Santa Claus is something entirely different.