A nisse (usually Norwegian) and a tomte (usually Swedish) are similar characters. They are both solitary, mischievous domestic sprites responsible for the protection and welfare of the farmstead and its buildings. Tomte literally means “homestead man” and is derived from the word tomt which means homestead or building lot. Nisse is derived from the name… More Legend of the Nisse and Tomte
St. Lucia Day December 13th is the day that Swedes and others all over the world honor the legend of Saint Lucia. For many, many years Lucia has brought faith, hope, and a reason to believe in good things to come. Her legend stems from Syracuse on the island of Sicily. It is thought that… More The Legend of Sankta Lucia
Scandinavian Christmas Whether you’re looking to adopt new traditions or learn the history of practices your family has done for generations, we’ll explore some of the common Scandinavian Christmas Traditions and where they come from. Advent Advent typically represents the four Sundays preceding Christmas in the Christian faith. In every form, it’s a countdown to… More Celebrating Advent – Christmas Traditions