Issue 133: The original Swedish tomte vs Santa Claus/Father Christmas

Advent Calendar Newsletter #21

Hallå hej!

Happy winter solstice! Nu går vi mot ljusare tider (“now we are going towards lighter times”), as Swedes often excitedly exclaim when we meet each other for the next few months.

The original Swedish tomte is very different from the modern big-sized, jolly, hohoho Father Christmas or Santa Claus. The traditional tomte is an essential part of Nor…