Julkärve (pronounce: yool-CHER-veh), a Swedish word meaning Christmas (Jul) sheaf (kärve), are a Swedish Christmas tradition dating back to the 18th century. Typically, the best (and often the last) sheaf of grains was reserved to feed the birds on Christmas eve. The belief was that if the birds feasted on the finest grains in the winter, they would leave the grains in the fields alone the rest of the year.
In Uppland, farmers feared poor crops the following summer if the birds found the julkärve too soon. In Skåne, farmers believed that if there were many different species of birds feasting on the julkärve, it would be a hard winter. And, it was bad luck indeed if the julkärve fell to the ground. In Western Sweden, the legend was that the Julkärve was an offering to Thor’s goats and so placed as high as possible to be close to the goats and were thought to protect against lightning strikes.
Today you can still find julkärve decorating communities throughout Sweden and in the States where immigrating Swedes settled.