Frozen! No, not the movie. It’s this time of the year. The entire City is frozen. Not a single leaf left in the trees. All the colours you could see around are grey, black and white. Long nights and very short days. Lucia candles flickering in the windows. People bundled up in layers. Workplaces bustling as they prepare for the holidays. Black ice lurking beneath, waiting to make us slip. Temperatures plunge into the negatives making every single cell of the body to freeze. All you have to rely on are the warm glow of yellow lights at home. And yet, life carries on as if nothing has changed.

The days start getting shorter in early November, and it definitely takes some time to adjust. By 4 in the evening, darkness sets in, leaving us thinking, “Well, it’s already late—let’s have dinner, call it a day, and go to sleep.” By December, though, you’ve grown used to the early nights, and the darkness doesn’t feel all that noticeable anymore.

Kids head to school in the dark and come back home when it’s starting to get dark—or already is.

The sun seems to go on vacation until March, making the occasional appearance just to remind us to depend on Vitamin D supplements instead of him.

Being from a sultry place, I initially thought I wouldn’t survive here for long and came with a timeline in mind. But enduring the first winter gave me courage and made me push that timeline a little further. Staying outside for extended periods is undeniably challenging. The famous Swedish saying, “It’s not the weather, it’s the clothes that matter,” doesn’t entirely hold true—at least not for me.

Sometimes, chilly gusts of wind hit your face, making it hard to see ahead, and your mouth freezes, leaving words stuck or mangled. Even capturing a single good snow photo comes at a cost—the icy chill pricks your fingers, quickly draining your enthusiasm for photography.

Winter in Stockholm begins in late October and extends until April, with spring arriving a bit later than expected. However, not every day during this period is equally cold. Some days are manageable, while others are not. I still vividly remember my first outing after I landed here in April—it was for shopping, and the cold left me with a terrible headache, forcing me to rest the entire next day. Over time, I’ve adapted to the harsh winters. I wouldn’t say I handle them perfectly, but at least I don’t get headaches anymore.

Everything cannot be blamed on. The first snow of the season would definitely be magical. The snow covered landscapes look like scenes straight out of a storybook, and I still like to see my footprints imprinted on the soft, white blanket. 

The sky often surprises us with a mesmerizing palette of colors, adding to the wonder of the season. And what could be more comforting than a warm drink? Whether it’s a cup of hot chocolate, a glass of glögg (mulled wine), or a cozy cup of tea, sipping it while snuggled under a soft blanket feels like sheer pleasure.

Children glide off to school on their sledges, giving their parents a little outdoor workout as they pull them along.

Skating rinks welcome everyone, from seasoned skaters gliding gracefully to beginners wobbling their way through their first attempts.

The Christmas and New Year season brings a cozy sense of warmth. The city transforms into a sparkling wonderland, with twinkling lights adding a magical touch. Christmas markets come alive with people eager to sip on glögg (mulled wine) and crunch on pepparkakor (gingerbread cookies).

The holiday season is perfect for spending more time with family, friends and catching up on the sleep we’ve missed over the past months. 

While I can’t say I’ve completely fallen in love with Winter, I’ve realized I don’t really mind it either. This year, I tried my first gingerbread cookies and fell in love with their spicy-sweet flavor. We also set up our first Christmas tree, which now stands beautifully decorated as we wait for another fresh snowfall. The magic of Christmas and the hope of a promising New Year make this season special, and I think I can embrace this Winter, just like all the ones before.