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What is Advent and how is it celebrated?
What is Advent?
Advent is the period covering the four Sundays before Christmas. The word comes from the Latin adventus, meaning "arrival" or "coming". In the Christian church, Advent is a time of waiting, reflection and preparation for the birth of Christ, and it marks the start of the church year.
Today, Advent is just as much about creating warmth and Christmas spirit at home. In Scandinavia, where December days are short and dark, it's a season of candlelight, Christmas music, mulled wine and time with family and friends. That feeling of waiting is part of what makes Christmas so special.
When does Advent start?
Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, so the date changes every year. In 2026, the four Sundays of Advent are:
First Sunday of Advent - 29th November
Second Sunday of Advent - 6th December
Third Sunday of Advent - 13th December
Fourth Sunday of Advent - 20th December
How is Advent celebrated in Sweden?
In Sweden, the first Sunday of Advent is the unofficial start of Christmas. These are the traditions you'll find in almost every Swedish home.
Lighting the Advent candles
The four-candle Advent candle holder takes pride of place on the table. One candle is lit on the first Sunday, two on the second, and so on, until all four are glowing on the final Sunday before Christmas.
Stars and candle arches in the window
On or just before the first Sunday of Advent, Swedes hang a paper stars and place an electric candle arch in the window. Walk through any Swedish town in December and you'll see windows glowing all along the street.
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Saffron buns and gingerbread
Advent is baking season. Saffron buns (lussekatter) and thin, spiced gingerbread biscuits (pepparkakor) are baked at home and served throughout December.
Mulled wine with friends
Swedish mulled wine, glögg, is served warm with raisins and almonds, alongside gingerbread and saffron buns. Inviting friends over for glögg is one of the most loved Advent gatherings.
The Advent calendar
From 1 December, children open one window of their Advent calendar each day. Many Swedish families also follow the TV Christmas calendar, a children's series with one episode a day until Christmas Eve.
Lucia on 13 December
In the middle of Advent comes Lucia, a celebration of light. Processions in white gowns, led by Lucia with a crown of candles, sing traditional songs in schools, churches and workplaces.
7 cosy ways to celebrate the first Sunday of Advent
Finding the Christmas spirit isn't always easy. These seven ideas will help you mark the start of the season and make the first Sunday of Advent feel special.
- Bake together
- Enjoy an Advent breakfast
- Decorate your home
- Wrap presents with love
- Make your own Christmas cards
- Make an Advent wreath
- Invite friends for mulled wine
1. Bake together
What would Advent be without the smell of freshly baked saffron buns and gingerbread? Set aside an afternoon to bake together: get out the ingredients and aprons, turn on the oven, and let the celebrations begin. Looking for recipes?
Try these:
Mugs with Astrid Lindgren quotes
2. Enjoy an Advent breakfast
Start the first Sunday of Advent with a slow, cosy breakfast that sets the mood for the whole day. Light candles, set out saffron buns and gingerbread, and pour a warm cup of coffee or tea. Add a few small touches, like a sprig of fir on the table or an Advent star in the window, and let the morning fill with light and the scent of Christmas.
3. Decorate your home
Few things spread Christmas spirit like decorating your home, ideally with some Christmas music playing. The first Sunday of Advent is the perfect time to let Christmas move in and enjoy your decorations for weeks to come. Let the glow of Advent stars and candle holders fill the room, then add wreaths, fir branches and a few glittering baubles.
4. Wrap presents with love
Turn present wrapping into a calm, creative Advent activity. Use beautiful paper, leftover wallpaper or even tea towels for a more sustainable touch. It's a lovely way to put extra care into your gifts while the Christmas feeling creeps in.
5. Make your own Christmas cards
Making your own Christmas cards on Advent is a simple, relaxing DIY that spreads care and Christmas spirit to the people you love.
You'll need:
- Sheets of thick, good-quality paper
- A pencil
- A craft knife
How to make your own Christmas card:
- Start with the greeting. Write your Christmas message at the bottom of the card, by hand for a personal feel, or printed for a cleaner look.
- Shape the card. Cut the paper to the size you want, perhaps a classic postcard or something more unusual.
- Draw the motif. Sketch a sprig with leaves on the card.
- Lift the details. Carefully cut along the outline of each leaf and gently push them up for a 3D effect.
6. Make an Advent wreath
Slow down and get into the festive mood by making your own Advent wreath. Use fir, eucalyptus branches or whatever suits your home. A handmade wreath on the door or around your candle holder is a beautiful symbol of waiting for Christmas.
7. Invite friends over for mulled wine
Celebrate the first Sunday of Advent with mulled wine, gingerbread and saffron buns with the people you love. Keep it simple: it's the time together that makes it special. Want to make it extra cosy? Take your mulled wine outside into the winter air and wrap up in warm blankets.
