Often I’ve found myself abroad during the Christmas season. I love and appreciate the wonderful American holiday traditions I grew up with; however, especially now that I have my own family, opportunities to experience Christmas “around the world” have led to many memorable holidays and a way for me to incorporate some newer traditions.

One of my favorite memories of Christmas abroad was time spent in Stockholm, Sweden. I observed that Swedes seemed to care a great deal about experiences over things. During my three-week stay, time and time again I witnessed happenings like these: visiting in cafés with friends, sipping cappuccinos, going out for walks to take advantage of the few hours of daylight during the long, dark winter months, gathering with loved ones for Midnight Mass.

I remember being smitten with Swedish Christmas trees, which I found to be quite simple, lovely and unlike anything I had previously seen. Trees were cut a day or two before Christmas and decorated simply with candles and minimal lights or bulbs. Traditional Swedish trees often have a handful of lit candles. Some families use electric lights, but many still prefer traditional candle-lit trees: truly a magical sight to see!

For most of us, it is so easy to get swept up into the frenzy of Christmas shopping, endless parties, decorating, meal prep and “to-do” lists. My time in Sweden showed me a bit of a different way of experiencing Christmas, one that allowed me to not over decorate, over buy and over indulge myself or others in things that don’t hold significant value. An invitation for morning coffee or a friends get-together over a simple brunch can be a lovely way to slow down the season and really capture the beauty of Christ in Christmas.

– Rachel Samson
PBA Class of 2004
Ph.D. Candidate
The Etiquette Seed