Easter Delight! Exploring Beloved Easter Customs and Decorating Ideas
In Sweden, Easter (or Påsk) is more than just a holiday—it's a much-needed break for families like the Brantmarks, a time to soak up the spring sunshine, relax with loved ones, and enjoy a traditional Easter lunch.
The festivities begin with a morning sauna, followed by a refreshing dip in the sea before lunch. This tradition symbolises the embrace of the start of spring and the shedding of winter's cobwebs.
Homes in Sweden are often decorated with a charming array of Easter touches, reflecting both nature and folklore. Yellow feathers, birch twigs (påskris), and pots of daffodils are common decorations, symbolising spring and renewal. Readers often decorate the birch twigs with colorful feathers and small hanging ornaments, creating a festive atmosphere indoors.
A unique Swedish custom involves children dressing up as "påskkärringar," or Easter witches. These little witches, who wear old clothes, scarves, and painted red cheeks, go door to door offering drawings or Easter greetings in exchange for candy or coins, much like the cuter version of Halloween.
The birch twigs are also used in the tradition of the Easter Whip (Påskris). Historically, this involved a playful whipping with the twigs, believed to promote health, beauty, and fertility for the coming year. Today, it is mostly symbolic or done playfully.
Yellow is a prominent colour in Easter decorations, reflecting the brightness of spring and light after the long Nordic winter. Daffodils and other spring flowers are widely used, symbolising new life and growth. Although more common in Finland, Easter grass—a type of decorative green grass—is sometimes used in Nordic Easter decorations to represent spring and rebirth.
Minimalist and maximalist Easter decorating ideas can be found from Scandinavia. For instance, spotted bows are included in some homes, as seen in Linnea Jirasek's home. Little witches are often hung in windows during Easter as a charming tradition to ward off evil spirits.
During Påskafton, the main Easter gathering, families in Sweden eat copious amounts of egg-based dishes, salmon, and potatoes. The author will be back on Wednesday, 24th April, with more insights into Swedish Easter traditions and recipes, such as the popular Gubbröra.
In conclusion, Swedish Easter blends natural spring motifs, folklore, and cheerful customs, with the birch twigs and yellow feathers being the most classic decorative elements, complemented by the playful dressing up of children as Easter witches. These customs emphasise the arrival of spring, renewal, and community celebration.
Credits for the images used in this article go to Linnea Jirasek, Mandi Nelson, and an unknown source. For more Pretty Easter Decorating ideas from Minimalist to Maximalist, stay tuned!
Glad Påsk! Niki. Happy Easter to you all!
- Families in Sweden often decorate their homes with a mix of nature-inspired elements and folklore symbols during Easter, such as yellow feathers, birch twigs, and pots of daffodils, which symbolize spring and renewal.
- A unique Swedish tradition involves children dressing up as "påskkärringar," or Easter witches, going door to door offering drawings or Easter greetings in exchange for candy or coins, much like a cuter version of Halloween.
- During the main Easter gathering, called Påskafton, families in Sweden enjoy copious amounts of egg-based dishes, salmon, and potatoes, while embracing their shared cultural traditions and the arrival of spring.
