I chickened out on using Swedish Christmas activites in @Murdocku’s game, but @Bibliovore mentioned being interested in traditions in other countries.
Let’s share some of our cultural quirks, this doesn’t have to be about Christmas, all holidays are equally interesting!
1. YULE – THAT’S PAGAN!
Sweden was christened very half-heartedly, as long as the people claimed to be Christian, they were allowed to celebrate their feast and holidays just like before. Our names for the days are pagan, Eastern is all about witches and Christmas is still called jul, like the viking winter party yule
2. You gotta feed the sassy goblin!
Back then, people believed that there was a tomte living on farms, it sort translates into gnome or goblin. Imagine a garden gnome kind of creature. This little creature lived and worked on the farm, especially keeping an eye out for the animals. If the farmers treated the animals poorly (or were disrespectful to the tomte itself) it would punish them by breaking tools or others sorts of mischief.
At the winter solstice, later at Christmas, you’d thank your tomte for all his help throughout the year by leaving a plate of porridge and a glass of milk on your door step. Because of this, most Swedes eat ”gnome porridge”, similar to rice pudding, for breakfast at Christmas. Some families put ONE almond in the porridge, the one who gets it, will be the next one to marry!
Tomten (= The Tomte) is the Swedish name for Santa Claus. Using the word in plural (tomtar) refers to the tiny little creatures, similar to Santa’s elves in the US.
3. Goats and pigs
Before Santa Claus became a thing, it was up to the Yule Goat to hand out presents, the goat was a symbol for a good harvest. A straw goat is still a very common Christmas decoration, my mum has a pretty big one standing next to her tree guarding the gifts 
In the city of Gävle, they always put up a huuuuge straw goat, which traditionally always get torched. They haven’t been able to burn it down in years, but this year they managed to set it ablaze again!
Pigs are been connected to Yule and to Christmas too. Pork was served every day in Valhalla and was a symbol of fertility. Nowadays a marzipan pig is a common gift for secret santa, or when you’re just out of ideas. The most typical Christmas food in Sweden is ham with a mustard crust!
And yes, my mum has a straw pig next to the straw goat
Typical Christmas food, the ham is in the middle, of course
4. It’s all about (the) Eve
Christmas Eve, Midsummer’s Eve. The Swedes only celebrate the eves! The main Christmas event thus happens on the 24th, families get together, eat, play games…and Tomten comes by personally to hand out gifts!
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