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
The original tales of Norwegian trolls are stories of giant beings that roam the mountains and forests and spend their days hiding from the sunlight. What happens when the sunlight hits them? They turn to stone! Maybe that’s why they are often connected with the cold winter months and the holiday season, so they can… More The Trouble with Trolls