Advent 1

The first Sunday in Advent and the traditional start to Christmas shopping in Sweden. Many shops are open on this Sunday and it is today they reveal their Christmas windows.
There weren't as many people there as usual which may be something to do with Covid, or perhaps the grey freezing weather, or that the tradition is fading away.
When we arrived 35 years ago it was a true "Big Reveal". The windows were covered until the day and shops competed to have the best display, or give away the most sweets.  
Nowadays many shops start  selling Christmas early in November, and their decorations are minimal anyway, with most room going to items for sale. As you can see from the picture there's no snow in town, and the new climate means  big snow rarely falls before Christmas.
However, I don't want to be too negative, so I'll finish by saying how lovely the town looks with all the illuminations in place, how delicious the pea-soup was, provided for free by the Civil Defence, and how nice it is to meet friends in the street and stop for a chat.