In Swedish Christmas tradition, the Christmas buffet served during the holidays is called julbord.
Julbord literally means “Christmas table.” It is a large buffet meal that brings together cold and hot dishes, allowing diners to serve themselves in several rounds. Common foods include pickled herring, cured salmon, meatballs, sausages, potatoes and Christmas ham.
The meal developed from the broader Scandinavian smörgåsbord tradition, whose name refers to a buffet of assorted dishes. A julbord is especially associated with the Christmas season, although restaurants, workplaces and social clubs may serve versions of it before Christmas Eve.
Julbord is not the same as a single recipe or dessert. Its defining feature is the spread of many dishes. Rice pudding, often called ris à la Malta when prepared as a Christmas dessert, may appear alongside the savoury courses, but it is only one part of the meal.