We enjoy celebrating holidays from around the world.
St. Lucia’s Day is a lovely celebration for children.
St. Lucia Day History
The celebration of St. Lucia comes from stories that were told by monks who first brought Christianity to Sweden.
December 13th was also the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, in the old “Julian” calendar and a pagan festival of lights in Sweden was turned into St. Lucia’s Day.
St. Lucia’s Day is celebrated by a girl dressing in a white dress with red sash and a wreath with candles on her head. Small children use electric candles, but from about 12 years old, real candles are often used. The crown is traditionally made of lingonberry branches which are evergreen and symbolise new life in winter.
A national Lucia is chosen in Sweden every year. Lucias visit hospitals and homes for the elderly, singing a song about St. Lucia and handing out Pepparkakor, ginger biscuits.
Boys might dress up as Stjärngossar (star boys) and small girls might be attendant Tärnor (like Lucia but without the candles).
A popular food eaten at St. Lucia’s day are Lussekatts, buns flavored with saffron and dotted with raisins which are eaten for breakfast.
St. Lucia Crafts and Activities
- A fun recipe for St. Lucia Cookies
- Catholic Icing paper dolls
- St. Lucy Feast Day from Lights and Sweets
- Felt crowns from JoyFilled Family
- Lots of activities from The Kennedy Adventures
- Paper crowns and star hats from Kiddley
- Swedish holiday books from What Do We Do All Day
- Arthur episode about St. Lucia on Arthur’s Perfect Christmas
St. Lucia Books
- Lucia, Saint of Light by Katherine Bolger Hyde
- Lucia Morning in Sweden by Ewa Rydaker
- Who Are You Santa Lucia? : A timeless journey of inspiration and beauty through the eyes of a brave and kind saint whose legacy empowers us to be a force of good in the word by Glenda Cedarleaf
- My First Saint Lucia Day Book by Belle Boss
Leave a Reply