One of my favourite times of the year: Easter. A much-needed break that, for us, is all about soaking up the spring sunshine (hopefully!), relaxing with family, and enjoying a traditional Easter lunch. In Sweden, the main gathering takes place on Easter Saturday, or Påskafton, which is when families come together to eat copious amounts of egg-based dishes as well as salmon and potatoes, and welcome the season together.
In the Brantmark family, we always kick things off with our own little tradition—a morning sauna followed by a (very!) refreshing dip in the sea before sitting down to lunch. It’s the ultimate way to blow away the cobwebs and embrace the start of spring!
On Maundy Thursday, we might just get a little knock at the door from a påskkärring or two—children dressed up as Easter witches in colourful clothes, with painted cheeks and headscarves, going door to door offering drawings or Easter cards in exchange for sweets (a bit like Halloween, but much cuter!).
As always, homes and cottages are decorated with colourful feathers tied to birch twigs—påskris—(and this year I've even seen spotted bows as seen above in the home of Linnea Jirasek), bringing a burst of spring indoors. You’ll also often spot little witches hanging in the windows, a charming tradition said to ward off evil spirits during the Easter weekend.
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