We are a swedish couple visiting some new places on our 3-week long vacation, but Las Vegas is somewhere we've been to several times, so it's not new to us. Today is Christmas Eve in Sweden, the day when you meet family, eat delicious food, and exchange presents. It's not the same here in the USA, where this day corresponds to the 25th. Since we are traveling and are instead here, it would be nice to celebrate together with other geocachers.
Christmas in Sweden originally stems from a pagan tradition that was adopted by Christianity, and through this, the birth of Jesus is commemorated. The general Christmas celebrations culminate on Christmas Eve, December 24th, in Sweden, although the period from Advent onwards is marked by preparations for the holiday. According to tradition, the Christmas season is "danced out" on Twentieth Day Knut, January 13th. The fact that the Christmas celebrations culminate on Christmas Eve contrasts with traditions in countries such as the United States and Spain, where Christmas Day, December 25th, is the main celebration.
For many Swedes today, Christmas is more of a cultural tradition than a religious holiday. Most of the contemporary traditions stem from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.