Christmas is a very important holiday in Sweden, and it is celebrated on December 24th. The festivities begin with a large dinner called "julbord" that includes traditional dishes such as ham, meatballs, and gingerbread. After the dinner, families gather around the Christmas tree to exchange presents and sing Christmas carols. The Swedish version of Santa Claus is called "jultomte" and he is depicted as a small, bearded man who rides a horse instead of a sleigh. He brings gifts for children and is considered a symbol of kindness and generosity.