Many of the homesteaders in our area were/are of Scandinavian descent and have memories of those customs. Sharing a Swedish/Norwegian Christmas with foods and decorations familiar to that ethnic group is a wonderful way to take people back home for the holidays.
If you and/or your staff are Scandinavian, it might be easy for you to gather the items required. If not, put out a general request for the items. Sometimes you can find what you need at the second hand stores.
The colors for table covers, napkins, and paper plates are blue and white. Center pieces can be made using clear glass vases holding bursts of white, silver, and/or blue plastic sprays (available in the party store). Sprinkle silver stars on the tables. If possible, place a straw ornament on each table as ornaments of straw are the custom of Scandinavia.
Other decorations include Julbacken (Christmas goat), the Dala horses, tomtes, red candle holders, and tree ornaments made of straw or wood. Individuals can make ornaments ahead of time, cutting hearts and horses from red construction paper.
Seeing and handling the cooking irons used to make the Swedish Christmas goodies is a treat for participants. Since most Swedish sweets special to Christmas require specialized equipment, you may need to start an early search.
The foods that are typically served include:
Lefse
Krumkake
Rosettes
Rommergrot
Fattigman
Sandbakkels
Glog (Drink)
Rosettes, Krumekake, and lefse can be purchased in local grocery stores during the holidays. Rommegrote can easily be made at work before the party. Lefse can be made during the party if the dough is made the day before and left in the fridge. This would be a special treat and lefse, warm from the griddle would be the ultimate Christmas gift. Fattigman could also be made by the residents the day before or the morning of the party and participants would surly enjoy handling the dough and making an ethnic treat for everyone. Sandbakels are more difficult to make but the tins could be shared during the “show and tell”…and eat…part of the gathering.
Coffee is a typical Scandinavian drink but a small taste of Glogg, (pronounced “gl-ooo-g”) would be a real treat.
