Written by Jazmin
23 Dec 2024
Christmas 🎅 is one of the most celebrated holidays worldwide. It is known for its sparkling decorations, towering trees adorned with lights, Santa Claus, festive foods, thoughtful gifts, joyful music, and an undeniable sense of magic. For me, the most special part of Christmas is its ability to bring people together—it’s a time to reconnect with family, partners, and friends, no matter your cultural background.
As international students, many of us are far from our loved ones during this season, which can sometimes make Christmas feel a little nostalgic. However, I’ve heard about so many creative and heartwarming ways my friends are celebrating, and I wanted to share them with you today. Hopefully, it will inspire you and show that it’s absolutely possible to have a joyful Christmas, even when you’re miles away from home 🏠.
Personally, I adore Christmas—it’s my favourite time of year! 🎄✨
Home for the Holidays
For many international students, going back home for Christmas is the ultimate way to celebrate the season. Initially, I thought this was mostly an option for those from countries close to Sweden. However, I was surprised—and impressed—to see many students from as far as Latin America making the journey home despite the distance.
Two of my Peruvian friends are back home right now, enjoying precious moments with their loved ones. Seeing their Instagram updates truly moved me—pictures of family members greeting them at the airport, delicious homemade meals, and even reunions with their beloved pets. It was heartwarming to witness such sweet and emotional reunions.
These posts reminded me just how much I miss my own loved ones, but they also filled me with joy for my friends. Going home for the holidays is a common and meaningful choice. If you’re feeling especially nostalgic, it’s absolutely worth considering. Even a short trip can be incredibly healing—spending time with family (and furry companions!) can recharge your spirit and help you return to Sweden with renewed energy.
Festive Travels with Friends
Not everyone can go back home for Christmas—and that’s perfectly okay! Whether it’s due to distance, financial reasons, or simply a personal choice, staying away from home doesn’t mean the holiday can’t be special. As international students, we naturally seek connections, building new friendships and finding a sense of family in our new surroundings. By this time of year, many of us have that close-knit group of friends who feel like family in Sweden (a big shoutout to all of you for making life so much brighter!).
Why not celebrate Christmas with them? Some of my friends came up with the idea of traveling around Europe during the holidays. Their plan includes visiting several cities and, of course, exploring the famous Christmas markets! It sounds like such a fun and festive adventure, even though they’ll only spend a day in each city (pace yourselves, friends—you’ve got this!). Thankfully, Sweden is a fantastic starting point for exploring Europe, making trips like these so much easier to plan.
Remember, you’re not alone. Whether you stay in Sweden or embark on some festive travels, Christmas with your new friends can be just as joyful and memorable as being back home! 🎄✨
Family Christmas in Sweden
This year, I’ll be celebrating Christmas in a way that’s completely new for me—and I couldn’t be more excited. My mom is visiting me here in Sweden so we can spend the holidays together.
Christmas has always been a really special time for me. Back home, I used to celebrate with my entire family, and we had some of the most fun traditions, like crafting and cooking contests (so much fun, right?). What makes this season even more special is that my birthday is just two days after Christmas, making it a double celebration.
When I decided to come to Sweden to study, my mom had already made up her mind to visit me for the holidays. That decision meant the world to me. Having her here will bring a sense of familiarity and warmth, and she’s even bringing love and good vibes from all my other loved ones back home. I can’t wait to see her—she’s actually arriving today! ❤️
After she gets here, we’re planning to travel around Europe together and visit some family who live nearby. It’s going to be a new and meaningful way to celebrate the season.
Sometimes, even if you can’t go back home, home can come to you. That’s the beautiful gift I’m receiving this year, and I feel incredibly lucky for it.
Celebrating in Town with Friends
So, what if going back home, travelling around Europe, or hosting family in Sweden isn’t an option for you? Or maybe you’d rather stay put and celebrate right here in town? While many people leave Sweden for the holidays, there’s still a good number of us who stay—and I know quite a few who have some wonderful plans lined up!
One of my master’s friends, for example, is hosting a Christmas gathering for everyone staying in Lund, which I think is such an amazing idea! They’re planning to cook together and celebrate as a group, and I’m sure it’s going to be a lot of fun. I can’t wait to see the stories they’ll share about their cosy celebration.
Even if you’re leaving town for the holidays, you can still enjoy this kind of celebration beforehand. Last week, I attended several gatherings with friends to celebrate early, knowing we wouldn’t see each other again until January.
Celebrating with friends who feel like your new family is a beautiful way to enjoy Christmas. Whether it’s a festive gathering, a cosy dinner, or simply sharing laughs and good company, these moments are truly special and create memories you’ll cherish forever. 🎄❤️
So, now I’d love to hear from you—what are your plans for Christmas? Are you travelling, staying in town, or maybe doing something completely unique? Share your plans in the comments—I can’t wait to read them! 🎄✨
