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Hello readers! As we settle into the new year (happy 2026, by the way!), many of us have already packed away the fairy lights, tinsel, and baubles. But in Sweden and Finland, the Christmas magic officially lingers a little longer — right up until January 13th, known as St. Knut's Day (or Tjugondag Knut in Swedish, meaning "Twentieth Day Knut").

This delightful tradition marks the grand finale of the extended Scandinavian Christmas season, which stretches from St. Lucia's Day on December 13th all the way through to this mid-January celebration. Rather than quietly putting everything away, Swedes (and many Finns) send off the holidays with parties, singing, dancing, sweets — and yes, sometimes a dramatically "plundered" Christmas tree!

A Bit of History: Who Was St. Knut?

The day is named after Canute Lavard (Knut Levard in Swedish), a Danish prince and duke assassinated on January 7, 1131, in a power struggle over the Danish throne. He was later declared a saint, and his feast day originally fell around Epiphany. In 1680, the date was shifted to January 13th in Sweden to distinguish it from other celebrations, turning it into the perfect "twentieth day of Christmas" marker.

Over the centuries, the day became less about the saint himself and more about joyfully closing the festive chapter. An old Swedish saying even personifies the transition: "King Knut asked the children for help to drive out Christmas."

The Star of the Show: Julgransplundring – "Christmas Tree Plundering"

The highlight of St. Knut's Day is the julgransplundring — literally "Christmas tree plundering" or "looting."

Families gather (often with friends, neighbours, or at schools and community events) for a Knut's party (julgransplundring party or Knut's dance). The rituals typically include:

• Singing traditional songs (many the same cheerful tunes sung around the tree at Christmas, plus a few special verses about saying goodbye to the season)
• Dancing around the Christmas tree — a lively circle dance that's pure fun for kids and nostalgic for adults
• "Plundering" the tree: Any sweets, gingerbread biscuits, candies, or cookies used as decorations are finally eaten (after weeks of temptation!)
• Taking down all decorations and, in true dramatic fashion, removing the tree from the house

In older times (and still occasionally today), the tree might be dramatically tossed out the window or door into the snow — a spectacular way to "throw out Christmas"! These days, with more artificial trees and environmental awareness, many families simply dismantle and store them, but the spirit remains the same.

Here are some classic scenes from a traditional Swedish Knut's party:

(Children happily stripping sweets from the branches and dancing around the tree — pure festive chaos!)

Finnish Flair: The Nuuttipukki Tradition

In Finland, St. Knut's Day is called nuutinpäivä, and it once featured the nuuttipukki — people (originally young men) dressed as scary "Knut's goats" in upside-down fur coats, masks, and horns. They would go house-to-house demanding food and drink (especially leftover booze!). If refused, tricks might follow — hence the old saying: "Good St. Thomas brings Christmas, evil Knut takes it away."

Thankfully, the modern version is much friendlier: children dress up and visit homes for treats in a happy, Santa-like encounter. This tradition remains especially strong in regions like Satakunta, Southwest Finland, Ostrobothnia, and the Åland Islands.

Why It Matters Today

In our fast-paced world, St. Knut's Day offers a gentle, communal way to acknowledge endings and make space for what's next. It's a reminder to savour the last crumbs of holiday joy before ordinary life fully resumes. Many families still hold small gatherings, share leftover treats, sing a few songs, and enjoy the simple pleasure of togetherness.

Whether you have Scandinavian roots, love unique holiday traditions, or just want an excuse for one more gingerbread biscuit, why not give a mini Knut's party a go next January 13th? Gather the family, play some music, dance around whatever's left of your festive decor, and bid a cheerful farewell to Christmas.

God fortsättning på det nya året — and may your tree meet a gloriously dramatic end!

🎄✨

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