News Summary

WEST CHESTER TWP. — IKEA is hosting its first annual St. Lucia holiday today beginning at 6 p.m. at its new West Chester Twp. location.

The traditional Swedish holiday celebration will kick off with children from Swedes In Greater Cincinnati caroling throughout the store wearing white St. Lucia outfits. Afterwards, they will treat visitors to Swedish holiday songs. The adult choir from "Swedes In Greater Cincinnati" will also sing. When performances are over, guests will be treated to a Swedish holiday saffron pastry, according to a news release.

The tradition of St. Lucia dates from the 17th and 18th centuries. Saint Lucia appears on December 13, wearing a white, full-length chemise with a red ribbon around her waist and a wreath of lingonberry sprigs on her head. The wreath carries candle-shaped lights to give the effect of a halo. Lucia is followed by a choir of star boys, who sing a repertoire of Christmas songs.

Afterwards, Lucia treats her audience to Saffron pastries called Lussekatter. This day symbolically opens Christmas celebrations in Scandinavia, bringing hope and light in the darkest months of the year.

For more information, visit IKEA.com.