Tree Lighting Ceremony & Lucia Buns At Baker & Nosh

Last year's tree after the lighting ceremony

Those crazy kids at Baker & Nosh (1303 W Wilson) are at it again, spreading holiday cheer and bringing light to the dark nights.

On Friday, December 13th from 5:30pm-8pm, B&N will host their 2nd Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. The bakery will be decked with holiday cheer, carols will be led by the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, and holiday treats will be served to guests including hot apple cider, cookies and gingerbread.

On December 13th,  the same day as their Tree Lighting Ceremony, Baker & Nosh will celebrate St. Lucia Day by offering Lussekatter (St.Lucia Buns), the traditional Swedish saffron bun served during the popular Swedish celebration.

Some Lussekatter history:  On December 13th, the Swedish people celebrate the Italian Saint Lucia with a remarkable enthusiasm, surpassing any Italian festivities devoted to the same lady. One mandatory constituent in the celebrations is a saffron-flavored bun, in Swedish called a lussekatt, a "Lucia cat". The term "lussekatt" had nothing to do originally with Lucia, but was a reference to the devil, Lucifer. The tradition comes from 17th century Germany, where the devil (in the form of a cat) was there to beat children while Jesus (in the form of a child) distributed buns to the nice ones! The strong yellow coloring was meant to ward off the darkness of the devil.

The Lussekatter will be available at Baker & Nosh on December 13th and for pre-order for $3 each.