When it comes to December 13th I’m almost certain that the majority of Sweds celebrate Lucia. Lucia is a tradition where people walk in a procession and sing special songs. The procession consists of one Lucia, her handmaids, some Santa’s, star boys and gingerbread men. There is no specific number of handmaids, Santas, star boys or gingerbread men of each procession, although there can only be one Lucia. This rule of only one Lucia is usually not followed when children in 6th grade an lower celebrate because they encorage everyone who wants to be a Lucia to be a lucia. Every person in the procession is dressed in a certain way, although the Lucia, the handmaids and the star boys all wear white gowns. In addition to the white gown, the Lucia wears a red band around her waist and a crown with candles on her head. Younger children use electrical candles rather than real candles. The handmaids on the other hand wear a blue or silver band around their waists and carry a candle in their hands. Again young children use electrical candle instead of an actual candle. The star boys, in addition to their white gown, will be carrying a stick with a star at the top and a high pointed cone hat on their head. The gingerbread men wear brown colored pants, shirt with white shapes on it and a brown hat on their head.
As you get up in the teenage years there is a process of selecting the Lucia, because there can only be one in each procession. Usually there is some candidates for the Lucia position put up on posters around town or that are viewed in the local newspaper. The public can thereafter vote for the person they believe will be the best Lucia. The one with the most votes wins and become the Lucia for that procession. Also, when Lucia is celebrated localy it’s usually a procession with only a Lucia and her handmaids. There is a Swedish Lucia that’s selected of the citizens of Sweden and that procession only has a Lucia and her handmaids. This celebration is shown on TV on December 13th so everyone can watch it.
When the Lucia is chosen and the date is December 13th it’s time for the celebration to take place. It’s usually performed in a big room where people will sit anxiously and wait for the procession to enter. When you hear the almost whispering sound of a song, you know the procession is about to enter the room. The Lucia is the one who will go in front of the procession and she is followed by the handmaids, Santa’s and the star boys. On their way to the stage or the front of the room they will sing a song. Thereafter they will form a straight line and continue singing different songs. The number of different songs and how long the whole celebration is differs from procession to procession.
This video is from the Swedsh Lucia celebration
Even if the Lucia procession is a big part of the celebration, it’s not what it’s all about. After the procession is over the people who put it together serves gingerbread snaps, saffron bun (Lussekatt), a Swedish beverage called glögg (glig) or coffee. For the young, or whoever wants it, a glass of milk is served so you can dip the gingerbread snaps in the milk.
A Swede Exploring Swedish Traditions 