Ever heard of Lillördag? It’s this wonderfully cozy concept hailing from the Nordic corners of the world, specifically Sweden, translating to ‘Little Saturday’. What’s not to love about dedicating a day in the middle of the week to unwind, relax, and sprinkle a bit of weekend fun into your routine? We all love a break from the workweek monotony!
If you’re on the hunt for ways to add joy and self-care to your week while reducing stress and hopefully avoiding burnout, look no further. Let’s dive into why you should adopt the Nordic tradition of Lillördag into your family’s weekly calendar and explore a whopping 45 ideas to get you started. So, grab a glass of champagne, and let’s get into it!
A Bit About Lillördag and Why it’s a Nordic Tradition You’ve Been Missing
So, Lillördag is this genius idea from Sweden. Picture this: back in the day, folks figured out a clever way to sneak in a bit of weekend vibe into their very demanding weeks. Since the actual weekend was strictly for rest and religious observance, Wednesdays became the go-to for a little mid-week fun—hence, “Little Saturday.”
It was a sanctioned slice of leisure where workers and families could indulge in small pleasures or social activities, akin to the breather that Saturday offers. This whole thing is a nod to the Scandinavian way of finding that sweet spot in life—balance. It reflects their ethos of “lagom,” the pursuit of a perfectly balanced life, Lillordag embodies that idea to a T, showing us that finding moments of joy doesn’t have to wait till the weekend. It’s all about making the every day a bit more special. Sounds enticing, right?
Why Embrace Lillördag in Your Family’s Week?
If you’re not already convinced, here are a few more reasons why you’ll want to immediately infuse the Swedish concept of Lillördag to create a little break in your weekly calendar:
Take a Little Break in the Workweek
Who said you have to wait for the weekend to have a little fun or some time to rest? It’s a long wait until the weekend! Use Lillördag as an excuse to take a break from the weekly hustle and encourage social time, relaxation, and rejuvenation. I don’t know about you but between hustling kids around, working from home, homeschooling, chores, and all the other daily tasks, the days and weeks can become monotonous. Having something fun to look forward to each Wednesday (or whichever day you decide) is a game-changer and puts us all in a better mood.
Ironically enough, Lillördag is quite the opposite of our North American idea of Wednesday as ‘hump day’, the drag in the middle of the week with a long wait to the weekend. But we can totally flip the scripts! By shaking up our weekly schedule can help prevent the monotony that often leads to a dip in mood and energy. By introducing a break in the middle of the week, you’re keeping things fresh, which can help maintain higher levels of engagement and enthusiasm throughout the week.
Strengthens Family Bonds
Designating a day for family activities or downtime together strengthens relationships and creates lasting memories. Instead of everyone going to their rooms to their separate corners to work on homework, scroll on their phones, or watch TV, you’ve got a night on the weekly calendar for family time. My kids were immediately on board when we raised the idea with them, and now they ask each week what we’re doing on Wednesdays. Just know that once you start it, your kids won’t let you forget about “Little Saturday.”
Promotes Work-Life Balance
Lillördag is a gentle reminder that life isn’t all about work or school; it’s about enjoying moments and making time for what truly matters. Forget the homework for a night (sorry teachers), ignore the looming yard work, and take a midweek break. In five years will you regret that your kids got a bad grade on that assignment or that your grass was overgrown for a couple of extra days? Probably not. You’ll never regret the time you spend making weekly memories and traditions with your family and taking a break from work.
Encourages Creativity
Stepping away from the usual routine sparks creativity in both adults and children. When you step away from your usual routine, you give your brain the chance to wander and make new connections. It’s in these moments of relaxation that creativity often strikes, leading to those lightbulb moments. A midweek break can also lead to discovering new hobbies and interests.
I suggest that you give each family the chance to plan out what you’ll do for your Little Saturday. It’s a fun way to let your kids unleash their own creativity and have some ownership in the experience. Just make sure you give them a budget ahead of time, so you’re not downing all their brilliant ideas.
Reduces Stress and Avoid Burnout
A planned break can help reduce stress and anxiety by providing something to look forward to in the middle of a busy week. There’s something called psychological detachment that tells us that stepping away from the daily grind and doing something enjoyable or relaxing can significantly lower our stress levels. It’s like hitting the reset button on your stress meter.
Lillördag has become even more important since the COVID-19 pandemic when work-from-home has greatly increased and the lines between work and home have become increasingly blurred. When you break up a really tiring work week with a ‘little Saturday’ action, you’re giving your body and mind a chance to bounce back from stress, which can boost your overall well-being and productivity for the rest of the week.
Improves Mental Health
Engaging in relaxing or pleasurable activities can boost overall mood and mental health. And let’s not forget about the happiness boost from anticipation. Planning something fun for your Lillordag gives you something to look forward to, which can light up the reward centers in your brain, sprinkling a little extra joy into your week.
Fosters Tradition
Creating a Lillördag tradition can be something unique to your family that even future generations can cherish. Traditions are anchors in a child’s world. They’re like the family’s secret handshake—they make kids feel like they’re part of a special club, offering a cozy sense of stability when everything else is all over the place. They’re the glue that sticks families together, creating those “remember when” moments that you can talk about forever. Plus, they add a sprinkle of excitement to the every day, giving everyone something to look forward to. It’s no wonder that traditions are very important for developing a kid’s sense of self and security.
Does Lillördag have to be celebrated on Wednesday?
Not at all! While Lillördag traditionally falls on Wednesday, symbolizing a little slice of the weekend smack dab in the middle of the week, there’s no hard and fast rule that it must be celebrated then. The spirit of Lillördag is to break up the workweek routine and add a splash of joy and relaxation to your week, whenever you need it most, no matter the day of the week.
If Thursdays are when you find yourself needing that little boost or if Mondays are unusually quiet and ripe for a mini-celebration, go for it! The key is creating a moment of pause, fun, and connection, regardless of the day. So, feel free to bend the tradition to fit your life and schedule—after all, the best traditions are the ones that make you happiest!
45 Ideas for Celebrating Lillördag Freebie!
Not sure what to plan for your first ‘Little Saturday’ celebration? We’ve got some ideas for your family to toss around! Read our list below, download our digital PDF version of the list, and Pin It for later!
Outdoor Adventures
- Family picnic in the park
- Evening beach walk
- Nature scavenger hunt
- Backyard movie night
- Bicycle parade around the neighborhood
Creative Outlets
- DIY craft night
- Homemade pizza and a movie marathon
- Storytelling evening (with costumes!)
- Kitchen bake-off challenge
- Start a family scrapbook
Learning Together
- Visit a local museum
- Attend a workshop or class
- Stargazing and constellation learning
- Experiment with science kits
- Plant a mini garden
Relaxation & Wellness
- Family yoga session
- DIY spa night at home
- Meditation and mindfulness exercises
- Try a new fitness challenge
- Make homemade smoothies or a juice bar
Fun & Games
- Board game tournament
- Backyard obstacle course
- Indoor treasure hunt
- Karaoke night
- Video game marathon
Exploring the Community
- Support a local event or fair
- Visit a new restaurant or café
- Volunteer as a family
- Go on a historical walk
- Attend a community theater production
Just Because
- Themed dinner nights (e.g., Mexican Fiesta, Italian Night)
- Start a book club
- Watch the sunrise or sunset
- Make breakfast for dinner in your pajamas
- Do a puzzle together
Keeping It Simple
- Watch a movie
- Get ice cream
- Go to the park
- Order in dinner
- Hang out with friends
Seasonal Specials
- Build a snowman or have a snowball fight
- Visit a pumpkin patch
- Go swimming
- Make seasonal crafts.
- Plan a mini road trip to see fall foliage or spring blooms.
Wrapping Up: Break Up the Long Wait to the Weekend with Sweden’s Lillördag
Slipping Lillördag into your week is like choosing to live a bit brighter. It’s not just about marking your calendar; it’s a whole vibe of finding joy, kicking back, and making precious memories with your favorites. As Majorie Pay Hinckley said, “The trick is to enjoy life. Don’t wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead.”
Whether it’s getting outdoors, hanging with friends, getting crafty, or just cozying up at home, Lillördag is the Nordic tradition about redeeming the mundane. So, why save the fun for the weekend? Let’s shake up our weekdays and sprinkle a little extra sparkle on them, okay?
What do you think? Ready to give your week a delightful twist with Lillordag?
