Santa Lucia is a holiday observed in Scandinavian countries that simply oozes magic. Celebrated on December 13th, it is based around St. Lucia, who brings light during the darkest winter months. Wearing a white gown with a red sash and a crown of candles on her head, she leads the procession of women holding candles. Boys wear conic hats adorned with stars and carry star wands (!!!).
I am not Scandinavian, but I adore this holiday and really wish I could join in on celebration. There was one Swedish restaurant in NY called Ulrika’s which offered a traditional St. Lucia dinner December 11-13th, but apparently it closed before I ever got to go. :( I was so looking forward to it, I even marked it on my calendar! *sigh*I guess this means I’m baking Lucia’s cats on my own this year. I already wore a Crown of Candy Canes last year as a tribute, this time around I’m hoping to be rocking a pointy white hat!
St. Lucia’s day is a wonderful way to open the Christmas season. In addition to peculiar fashions, it is centered around a woman who overcame the darkness with her light.
Girls singing Sankta Lucia, beautiful!
Deerlings: do any of you celebrate St. Lucia? Tell us about your traditions.
Being swedish I totally love, adore and celebrate Lucia. It gets and extra plus for being the day after my birthday. This year I’ll be watching the Lucia-procession at my son’s school on friday (there is nothing quite like kids singing Luciasongs) and on sunday morning I’ll get up bright and early to watch the national procession on telly. Yay for St Lucia!
Oh, and by the way, I made you the adventcalender girl over at Bjooti yesterday: http://www.daisybeauty.com/web/bjooti/blogg/-/blogs/bjootis-adventskalender-6-december Hope you like!
My mom’s family is Swedish, and we’ve always celebrated Lucia – I never had to wear the candles on my head because I was a rather clumsy kid, but we always had a special dinner with rice pudding for desert. There was a game with the rice pudding that “someone” had an almond hidden in theirs and they got to open one of their Christmas presents early. I grew up an only child, it wasn’t until I had a younger step-brother and all of a sudden there were *two* almonds that I realized it was rigged.
Now instead of an early present, the finder of the almond wins “a portrait of our Swedish President, Abraham Lincolnson.” (A $5 bill.)
Sonja Reply:
December 7, 2009 at 2:41 pm
PS: Lucia isn’t celebrated in *ALL* Scandinavian countries – I lived in Iceland, and they don’t celebrate Lucia.
Doe Deere Reply:
December 7, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Well too bad for them!! ;)
Bexxie Reply:
December 7, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Iceland isn’t part of scandinavia, its a “nordic country” – part of a bigger classification including the scandinavian countries =P
Dia de los Tres Reyes. Day of Epiphany.
On Dec 6, the children put hay under their beds for the thirsty camel of the 3 wise men. In return the 3 wise men leave gifts for the children in the boxes. So in the morning the children eagerly search their boxes under the bed for their gifts. My grandparents didnt celebrate Christmas they always gave me money on the 12th day after Christmas. Dec. 6th
charlene daalling Reply:
December 7, 2009 at 2:47 pm
OOPS I meant January 6th. LOL Sorry
Suzanne C. Reply:
December 7, 2009 at 5:59 pm
That must have something to do with why in Sonora Mexico they don’t open stockings until the 6th, my friend’s parents are from there (and she was born there but came as a baby)and she was appalled we open our stockings first thing X-mas morning lol.
charlene daalling Reply:
December 10, 2009 at 7:43 pm
LOL
Students of Scandinavian languages at my uni celebrate it every year. They have a lovely girl choir singing traditional songs, recitals and glögg (hot red wine with spices). It’s all really nice. :)
I rather like Sankta Lucia as well :) we’re celebrating it in my school this week, and they’re selling the saffron bread in the school café… when i was little, I used to see this big Lucia show in the Globe in stockholm :) It was very pretty.
Oh – and I can’t wait to have rice pudding this year! It’s
SaffronSugar Reply:
December 7, 2009 at 2:52 pm
…one of my favorite Christmas dishes, I was going to say.
I never got to be Lucia in those. I wasn’t pretty or popular enough. Although, I still wear these glitterribbonsthingys (not those green leaves) on my head at Sankta Lucia :3
Lucia cats! How cute! I hope you upload some pictures of them when you’re done.
I love this holiday. My Dad’s side is Swedish and there was a great Swedish council where I grew up in St. Louis. Every year we did a Lucia festival. We moved away before I was old enough to be Lucia, but I loved being a Lucia maid. My sister & I got up early on the holiday to make rolls for our parents and did the processional into their room. Now I just love to hang the traditional Swedish decorations and make sweet rolls on Lucia day :)
I am swedish and we celbrate Lucia and it’s the best time of year except for christmas.
My favorite Lucia memeory is from when i celebrated it with my swimming team. We invited all the parents and all our friends to the pool we go to each week.
We lined up along the edge and sang some songs and then we lined up and climbed into the pool and walked from one side to the other.
It was really pretty with lights off and the only light was from our candles!
xoxo Mallis
Yeah, being Swedish and living in darkness most of the time – the light bringer of Lucia is really a highlight (!!) of winter. The Lucia Cats, or “lussebullar” with saffron is the best part, love them.
Wow! I was super suprised when I saw this post. I’m Swedish and sure we do celebrate Lucia every year but I had no clue that someone actually knew this. Often I just watch the Lucia procession in school, eat Lucia’s cats and chill because we often quit school earlier. I think it’s a very nice tradition actually that do bring a bit of light to the awfully dark winter months in Sweden :)
I’m swedish and I’ve celebrated Lucia every year of my life I think, except for this one. Feels kind of empty. It’s cosy with all the candles and everything!
I am actually going to be this years Lucia in my school. First time for me actually. So pretty big thing :)
I’ll try to link some photos, I bet my dad will take some.
I just love Lucia, it is such a lovely holiday during this long period of darkness… maybe I should wear retrofuturist while being a lucia ^^ in that way you kinda get to be there in a way
This year I will be celebrating Lucia for the first time, as I’m living in Sweden for a year. The Saffron buns are delicious, we had them on the 4th Sunday of Advent. And we have this crown with electric candles for the little girl to wear ^^
When I was a kid, my dad and I used to make lucia cats together. He showed me how to do Lucia snails instead of cats. You just roll one side up and leave the other one straight so that it looks like a snail and you put a raisin at the tip of the straight part as an eye.
I celebrate lucia (swedish ^^) every year ^^ And don’t forget the ginger bread, the glögg (hot mulled whine) and saffron buns called lussekatter (lucia cats translated) ^^
Im from norway so we celebrate lucia one year i was lucia at my school. They only pick girls with long blond hair to play lucia wich is kinda weird couse how many italian girls have light blond hair. They actually kicked one girl out of the lucia play one year becouse she was dark haired, she was italian so she should have been the one to play lucia.
I am from Norway so I celebrate lucia, and I love doing it. “lussepusene” (lucia cats) is my favourite type of cookie so i obviously love this excuse for making them!
What a gorgeous holiday! Johanna Ost also did a post last year about it.
http://blog.johannaost.com/2008/12/13/lucia
I like your wreath, too. It’s a cute twist. ;)
You both look super cute with the wreath.
Kristie Reply:
December 7, 2009 at 7:52 pm
That wreath is co pretty!
I’d be scared of the candle flame a little bit myself though :D
Kristie Reply:
December 7, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Whoops, meant to say so not co.
Doe Deere Reply:
December 8, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Aw my darling Johanna. Isn’t she the cutest thing, EVER????
Being swedish, I think there’s not been a single year I haven’t celebrated it at all… When I was younger mom and dad always drove me and my younger brother (me as Lucia, he as a ‘star-boy’) to our grandparents’ before school, so we could sing to them. :)
This year I will celebrate with some friends of mine, whom are very interested in the tradition since they’re japanese exchange students. ^_^
Haha the boys with cones on their heads is called stjärngossar, maybe they’re called star boys in english. And the girls following the lucia is called tärnor. But santas and gingerbreadmen is often in the procession too.
All kids celebrate this in sweden. The school trains fopr like a week and then you get to do it. And they sing and reads poems and alot of things. It’s sooo much fun! You should hear the Staffan song!
I learned about that holiday in the american girl books (i forget her name but she was the blonde one and i think Danish) I was always fascinated by it and i used to go around with this christmas centerpeice we have that looks like the crown of candles lol.
Annie Belle Reply:
December 7, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Kristen! They’re retiring her :(! Oh, I loved American Girl.
They also replaced Samantha, who basically exemplified “overprivileged person” with a Russian-Jewish immigrant living in Brooklyn! EXCITING!
Suzanne C. Reply:
December 9, 2009 at 4:05 pm
That’s Horrible! I LOVE Kirsten! How can they do that!? Now i’ll have to go buy her books ahh where will i get the money. =( How can they “replace” someone? well i loved Samantha too frankly I loved them all (at least everything made by like 2001 because thats when i stopped paying attention) I’ll have to read the books about the Russian girl YAY!
Variety Reply:
December 7, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Kirsten, and she was Swedish, hahah. I had a doll of her. I’d forgotten where I’d heard of this before (and seen the girl in the wreath), thanks for reminding me!!
Remi Reply:
December 8, 2009 at 2:51 am
Haha YES!! This is the first place I learned about it too! =0;)
watching that youtube video gave me the wierdest flashback ever– i learned that song in middle school! but it was in italian. crazy. does anyone know if there are places in italy where this holiday is celebrated?
I agreee, it’s lovely!
I actually had to do the role of Lucia in front of about 200 people, with the heavy candles on my head, trying to remember the lyrics for all the songs (including the one you have linked to). It’s a bit of a challenge when you’re a tad nervous and the candles are stealing all of your oxygen… ;)
I’m so glad Sankta Lucia is on a Sunday this year, I’m going to invite my best friend and bake lussekatter/Lucia’s cats!
In upper school we had a teacher who would close all the entrances to our school, except one, where she would greet us in a Lucia costume serving lussekatter and gløgg!
I’m from Norway, and I used to celebrate Santa Lucia. I remember I couldn’t stand eating lussekatter, because of the raisins. I kind of miss celebrating it, and perhaps I’ll slam together a Lucia-party! :)
I have always celebrated Lucia. I am half-Finnish, and my mother always celebrates with me. I love making all the special foods!
I know these standards don’t apply internationally, but it’s going to be awfully difficult to pull off that hat while NOT looking like the lost unicorn member of the KKK.
I’ve always adored Santa Lucia. My family, just being “white,” doesn’t have any fun cultural traditions, but I love learning about those of other cultures, and as a child considered that my favorite element of Christmas, after presents.
I’d never heard of this tradition until now,it seems beautiful! I live in the islands and in October Hindus celebrate Divali, which is also to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Mother Lakshmi is the focused goddess at that time. they light little clay pots called deyas in hopes that Lakshmi will come and bless their homes.
I know it’s completely off the topic but Santa Lucia just gave me memories of Divali! I hope someday I can experience Santa Lucia as well!
My family isn’t at all Swedish, but we lived in Northern Sweden at various times, so we make Lucia Bullar (the cat’s eye buns), light candles, but not in my hair, and just generally start getting ready for Yule.
Yeah, Saint Lucia’s day isn’t really celebrated in Denmark or NOrway either. It’s mostly just a Swedish holiday.
I’m Mexican, but I’ve always love the Scandinavian traditions, especially St Lucia. I was never given a middle name at birth, so I gave myself the name of Lucia as a sort of tribute. (Besides, it sounds so pretty no matter how you pronounce it!)
In Mexico, they do las posadas, which is kind of like caroling only with a little party afterwards. Since I live in the US, my family just does the capitalist excessive shopping thing. Christmas eve, we have a party and stay up til midnight to open presents. Then the little kids go directly to sleep for Santa Claus!
I always wanted to be Lucia in a Lucia play, but since I’m American and of Mexican and French-Celtic descent, I never had a lot of luck with that :p Still, I would like to go to an event some time!
A couple of things I do love are Irish Christmas carols and going on posadas with friends. True to spooky form, we’re shaking ours up this year with a book of zombie carols.
Doe Deere Reply:
December 8, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Haha, you’re too awesome for words! :)
Oh goodness, I wish I celebrated Lucia. I’m half-Swedish, but I guess my family’s observation of the tradition got lost when they all immigrated to America. I might revive it one of these days though when I have a family of my own. :]
Actually yes! My family seems to have fallen out of the tradition lately, but around St. Lucia day, my mother always makes giant delicious cinnamon rolls and chides me for not getting up early to sing to her.
I’m Mexican, and my family mostly celebrates the whole FOOD aspect of christmas, this is when we sit down with relatives and make tamales for Christmas Day, with Caldo de Res (beef soup), and rice mmmmm! I more or less get kicked out of the kitchen because I’m good at catching water on fire….or grease for that matter…there’s still a spot on the wall from when I tried to make Bunuellos (yummy cinnamon dish)(sp?).
Wow, who knew so many swedes read your blog, Doe? O:) … or, I guess it should be more like =0:)
I’m not Swedish (well not from Sweden, but I am a tiny bit Swedish in heritage) and I studied abroad in Sweden, so I learned a lot more about the holiday. I totally agree it is a wonderful tradition! :D I wish it was more common here in the states.
I never realized that Lucia was a swedish thing! There seems to be a lot of swedes reading the blog too! For two years I’ve celebrated Lucia in a unusual way. One sort of tradition is to be awake between 12th and 13th december, waiting for lucia. In my town the cinema is open and shows movies the whole night. The event is called “Lucia Movie Night”. But the best part of Lucia is of course seeing the procession early in the morning on the 13th. My school has a really good choir that sings beautifully… I think I have listened to that youtube clip 4 times in a row now, I love those lucia songs.
Oh gosh it sounds fun BUT a word of advice: be careful of the pointy white hat… you don’t want to be mistaken for a KKK member :O
Jibril Reply:
December 8, 2009 at 12:32 pm
But there’s stars on the ponity hats! And they have wands too! I hope people dont mistake something like that:P
Doe Deere Reply:
December 8, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Honestly, if someone does think KKK, it’s their problem… A star wand says it all! :)
Melinda Reply:
December 8, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I don’t mean to make this sound bad in anyway shape or form, but being the History teacher of the bunch, I must mention that the leaders of the Groups of KKK members were called Grand Wizards or Grand Dragons….
Melinda Reply:
December 8, 2009 at 3:09 pm
more of a pss I’m not mentioning this to deter you in anyway, it really is their problem if they view you as such, they can just eat the cute cats and deal. By the way, this was supposed to be added to the previous message, but my page refreshed on its own o.O?
Katarina (bjooti, splodgy...crazy bloglady) Reply:
December 10, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Oh come on… Lucia was celebrated way way before the KKK started with their bigotry.
To be honest, this is the first time I’ve ever heard of a St. Lucia’s day. I only know there’s a song about her, and that’s one beautiful song.
I hope you will post pictures of your own way of celebrating St. Lucia’s day, including the Lucia’s cats. :)
oh! and it’s too bad that it’s always the tallest girl who gets to be lucia… cuz with the tallest girls in front, no one will ever be able to see the faces of the short girls in the back…
i let my hair grow out when i was little so that i’d be able to be lucia when i got older… it was only when i realised it wouldn’t ever be me because of my height, i cut it off…
that year the lucia had short brownish hair… not lucia-like at all…
I’d say it’s more of a Swedish holiday. I’m Swedish and I used to love Sankta Lucia, yet, my “highschool” managed to kill it for me. There can only be one Lucia (obviously) and at my school everyone had to vote for who it should be. Every girl in the senior year had to participate and it was nothing about the spirit of Lucia, it was a beauty contest. The dumbest, most popular girl would usually win, even if she was a real meany and had no idea who Lucia really was and what she did. Worst part was that they made the results public so.. yea.. it killed it for me.
Doe Deere Reply:
December 8, 2009 at 12:42 pm
I’m sad to hear about that, sweetie. From what I understand, Lucia isn’t supposed to be a beauty pageant at all…
Katarina (bjooti, splodgy...crazy bloglady) Reply:
December 10, 2009 at 3:51 pm
I think they actually started to leave the voting and rather draw a winner now, at least that’s what they do with the younger kids now-a-days.
In my high-school it was always one of the girls from the choir, which sort of makes more sense than turning it into a pageant. I hate pageants.
I didnt realise so many other swedish people has found you, I’ts great :D
I like Lucia, especially the saffronbuns…
This is the first I’ve ever heard of this holiday. Sounds beautiful! :D
Wow, I had no idea so many Swedes read this blog! It’s awesome to be able to hear about cultural traditions first-hand.
Im swedish as well so I celebrate Lucia every year, but in my family it´s not very big deal for us. We eat gingerbred and sometimes saffranbread. Im acually kind of tired of Lucia cause in middleschool we all had to sing those special christmas songs every year in front of all parents off the children. Not so fun after the fivehundred time :P
Sorry for my bad english :/
We celebrate Sankta Lucia in Norway as well. Mostly at elementary schools where the younger classes walk in a small parade in the school with the lights off and only the light crown and the candlesticks/lights in their hands as lights. And they’re singing. :)
Hilde Reply:
December 8, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Oh, and we bake something called “Lussekatter” (Luss Cats, from Lucia Cats) which is sort of… buns with raisins and safron.
http://www.recipezaar.com/Saint-Lucia-buns-Lussekatter-Saffron-buns-43784
Recipe for Swedish ones, I think ours are the same.
Im baking “lussekatter” right now! With lots of safron in them <3
You would make a lovely Lucia :)
Aah, I remember reading about this holiday in an American Girl book when I was younger! It was so many years ago, but I’ve never forgotten the holiday or the impression it left on me then.
Hi! I’m Swedish as well and I think it’s incredibly nice that you brought up Lucia. It’s a beautiful tradition, and I only good memories of it. In my school it was not a question of beauty at all and usually the gilr who wanted it the most got to be Lucia :D It is so cozy to get up while it’s still dark and watch everyone with candles and beuatiful white clothes… You should come see it for yourself somday ;)