Midsummer is one of the most anticipated holidays in Sweden, possibly only beaten by Christmas.
According to The Institute for Languages and Folklore the midsummer celebration has its origin in the day of Saint John the Baptist, which falls on June 24.
This year, however, the celebration falls on Friday, June 21, and then a long table will be set with both herring and potatoes as well as strawberries.
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Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT Guest at the midsummer party? Then you should think about this
This year you may be the one invited to the midsummer celebration, and thus not have to organize the festivities yourself. Then there are several things you should keep in mind in order to be a good guest but also to follow certain guidelines in terms of common sense and etiquette.
Amanda Colldén runs the podcasts “En jävä fest” and “Heder och festmoral” together with the actress Eva Röse. In addition to that, she is also a party expert and owner of the website festively.com. In an interview with News24 she explains what the guest should do once he arrives at the party.
– Ask if you should bring anything with you, offer to help and if you oversleep ask if you should bring sheets and towels. Offer to resolve things that you know need to be resolved without the host having to ask. If you’re still at Systembolaget, buy two plates of beer, do a summer quiz or fix steel wire for the wreaths.
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Amanda Colldén. Photo: Photographer Jennifer NilssonMidsummer host? You have to think about that
You who instead organize the midsummer party and invite loved ones should instead be clear towards those who come to visit. If you don’t have bedding for everyone, then tell the guests.
– Many people, even outside party fixing, seem to think that people can read your mind. They can’t. If you invite to Midsummer, be clear about whether they will come hungry, whether they will bring something or whether you will fix everything.
In addition, there should be a wide range where alcoholic drinks are varied with non-alcoholic ones. Colldén believes that midsummer is a fun holiday that does not only revolve around alcohol as a social lubricant. Instead, you should offer the option of non-alcoholic options, organize a quiz or pentathlon to invite guests to social events.
– If you want extra points, make some kind of welcome station, a physical thing where you print out all the guests’ pictures and write a sentence that describes them. It’s super cozy to make everyone feel extra welcome and great for the introvert or shy person who can stand and look at the pictures and descriptions before getting warm in the clothes.
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As a host, there are several things you should consider before the midsummer party. Photo: Photographer Jennifer NilssonMidsummer party? Don’t reinvent the wheel
In addition to being a good host, you should keep the midsummer celebration relatively simple. Colldén says you don’t have to reinvent the wheel, but a classic celebration returns for a reason.
In addition, you must not forget the music. Make sure there are speakers and the possibility to play music so that a good atmosphere is created.
– Music is a filter that makes reality better. You don’t notice if it’s there, but as soon as it goes silent, the atmosphere becomes a little stiffer. There should be music from the start and preferably several speakers so it is in all the places you move between, says Amanda Colldén to Nyheter24.
READ MORE: Here you can read all our articles about midsummer