Donald Duck and Swedish Christmas - A Tradition Too Strong to Break?

Do you have to watch Donald Duck to celebrate Christmas in Sweden? Said no one ever! Watching Donald Duck and friends is perhaps the most sacred Swedish Christmas tradition, but also the strangest!

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Donald Duck and Swedish Christmas - A Tradition Too Strong to Break?
Photo: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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As a Swede who has worked with many Americans, I never really understood their obsession with Disney. In Sweden, Disney movies are, in general, only for kids.

However, this is not true for Christmas… Because for Christmas around 3 million Swedes turn on their TV’s to watch Donald Duck and his friends wishing us a Merry Christmas.

Having lived abroad, and seen that no one else has this tradition, I realized just how strange this Swedish Christmas tradition is. It makes little to no sense, yet it is a beloved part of Christmas traditions that is still going strong today.

Despite TV ratings dipping recently, and going just under 3 million viewers in 2023, watching Donald Duck is still a popular Christmas Tradition for many.

Personally I rarely watch it. I have spent the past 10 years abroad and Swedish Christmas traditions are not really something I bring with me (apart from Lussebullar of course). However, I still love this Christmas tradition and highly recommend it for anyone who has not tried it. It truly, a one of a kind authentic Swedish Christmas experience!

Author

Saga V. BohinenS
By Saga V. BohinenFeature Writer & Columnist

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