Many of my friends received an invitation to celebrate a Swedish midsommar party with us. I'm sure you have lots of questions.
What the heck is a Swedish Midsommar Party?
Midsommar is typically celebrated on June 21st in Sweden. It is the longest day of the year. Sweden is far enough north that in the summer they have really, really long days. In the winter days are very short. Swedes love the sun and they love celebrating summer. However, in the five years I lived in Sweden, not one Midsommar celebration I attended was sunny. It usually rained every single time!
During the celebration, Swedes dance around a decorated maypole of sorts. They sing silly songs about small frogs and summer. Just a note, Swedes sing for everything! They have songs for everything. They have special summer hymns they only sing in the summer. They have tons of drinking songs. When my husband and I used to attend graduation parties, we would get several copied pages with words to various drinking songs. These songs were sung with every toast. It was fun to sing along. Also, I have noted that Swedes are pretty reserved, except when they are drinking. They are the only drunks I know that actually sound good when they sing, lol!
What the heck is a Swedish Midsommar Party?
Midsommar is typically celebrated on June 21st in Sweden. It is the longest day of the year. Sweden is far enough north that in the summer they have really, really long days. In the winter days are very short. Swedes love the sun and they love celebrating summer. However, in the five years I lived in Sweden, not one Midsommar celebration I attended was sunny. It usually rained every single time!
During the celebration, Swedes dance around a decorated maypole of sorts. They sing silly songs about small frogs and summer. Just a note, Swedes sing for everything! They have songs for everything. They have special summer hymns they only sing in the summer. They have tons of drinking songs. When my husband and I used to attend graduation parties, we would get several copied pages with words to various drinking songs. These songs were sung with every toast. It was fun to sing along. Also, I have noted that Swedes are pretty reserved, except when they are drinking. They are the only drunks I know that actually sound good when they sing, lol!
Most of the women wear summer dresses and make wreaths of flowers to wear in their hair. Some people wear the Swedish National Costume.
They also eat yummy food, like cake with fresh strawberries, eggs, fruit, potatoes, and pickled herring in sauce.
Most Swedes drink a lot of alcohol during the celebration. Since I don't drink, I always skip this part of the celebration.
So what exactly are we going to do at our Midsommar?
We'll eat Swedish meatballs, make a maypole and dance around it, enjoy the beginning of the summer, and socialize. The only thing we are going to skip is the alcohol.
Can't wait to see you all!
© 2007-2016 TIFFANY WACASER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
