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Host a Swedish crayfish party
What is a Swedish crayfish party?
Known as a Kräftskiva, a Swedish crayfish party is a traditional celebration that involves eating mountains of crayfish and drinking copious amount of snaps, all while wearing paper hats and singing silly songs. Want to know more? Follow our tips below to host your own Swedish crayfish party – you won’t be disappointed, we promise!
1. Table setting with inspiration from the sea
2. Scented washcloths for the hands
3. Make your own paper hats
4. The menu for your Swedish crayfish party
5. Drinks to welcome your guests
6. Snaps and songs!
Invite your family and friends to their first Swedish crayfish party and create your own traditions to remember!
1. A TABLE SETTING WITH INSPIRATION FROM THE SEA
A Swedish crayfish party is a playful celebration for the end of the summer. Take inspiration from the sea for this charming table setting. Start with a neutral base and pared back porcelain set that allow the quirky details, like this shell plate from Byon, and the red crayfish to really pop.
Shell shaped plates from Byon are the perfect playful detail that brings to mind details of the sea.
2. A SCENTED CLOTH FOR THE HANDS
The best way to eat crayfish is with your hands but this can get messy, so treat your guests to a damp hand towel with a slice of lemon. Wet the towels before and wrap them up with a slice of lemon, place the towels in a woven basket for your guests to take when they are finished eating. Encourage your guests to rub their hands with the lemon to neutralise the smell and then wipe clean with the damp cloth.
Put out a small bread basket, filled with damp washcloths so your guests can freshen up during the party.
3. MAKE YOUR OWN PAPER HATS
As we have mentioned the Swedish crayfish party is a playful celebration. Typically, guests will be provided with quirky paper hats and aprons covered in crayfish motifs. These are readily available in Sweden in August, but you can always make your own and keep the playful atmosphere alive!
Read more: Learn how to make your own paper hats.
Homemade hats for your crayfish party are a fun and simple addition to your table setting.
Invite your guests to make their own hats as a fun activity.
4. THE MENU FOR YOUR SWEDISH CRAYFISH PARTY
Naturally, for your Swedish crayfish party you will need a good quantity of crayfish. Generally Swedes will serve around 500 g of crayfish per guest. The crayfish is normally accompanied by cheesy Västerbotten pie, fresh, crusty bread and a tasty potato salad.
Read more: Discover our recipes for Västerbotten pie and a pesto potato salad here.
A classic Västerbotten pie is traditional at any Swedish crayfish party.
5. DRINKS TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS
Why not welcome your guests to your Swedish crayfish party with a delicious welcome cocktail? A luxurious glass of prosecco with a dash of elderflower, garnished with mint or a refreshing watermelon and lime cocktail that can be mixed with prosecco or sparkling water if your guests would prefer something non-alcoholic.
Read more: Find the recipes and 9 more refreshing summer drinks that you need to try here!
Offer your guests a lovely welcome drink like bubbly watermelon cocktail that can be served both with or without alcohol. Seen here in the Ripple drinking glasses from Ferm Living.
6. SNAPS AND SONGS!
As with any major celebration in Sweden, your Swedish crayfish party would not be complete without a shot of snaps and a round of singing. The alcohol is known by many names and comes in many flavours, but the tradition is always the same – in between courses you’ll find the Swedes raising their glasses and singing in unison to a snapsvisa (Swedish drinking song) before throwing back a shot of snaps with barely a flinch!
Raise a toast and sing a verse of your favourite snapsvisa – not sure of the Swedish lyrics? Make up your own!
Raise a glass and join in with your own drinking song. We hope we have inspired you to host your own Swedish crayfish party and to start some new traditions at home.
Photography: Angeliqa Daldorph
Styling: Minna Carlsson
