Jul Goats

Although my family had our fair share of Swedish traditions, especially during Christmas, there were many that I didn't discover until I was an adult. Now, our house is filled with too many Carl Larsson prints and more straw animals than should be legal. If they were cats, I'd be considered a hoarder.

Straw goats, or Jul goats, predate Christianity. Their pagan hooves trotted across northern Europe and Scandinavia and were befriended by everyone from Thor to our modern tomte. Early goats were tricksters demanding treats. Contemporary goats carry tomte and his gifts to good children on Christmas Eve, although it isn't clear to me whether the goat partakes in tomte's rice pudding reward.

Goats not lucky enough to pal around with tomte can be found lounging under Christmas trees, observing as their family prepares the home for the holidays. I don't know what the goat does if the family fails to construct a flawless celebration, and I don't want to find out. There are currently three Jul goats in our house, waiting and watching (a slightly less disturbing version of Elf on the Shelf). Perhaps the threat of becoming an effigy prevents the goats from tattling to tomte.

For a comical read on an outsiders introduction to Jul goats and Scandinavian festivities, check out this MinnPost piece by  Max Sparber.