Now is also the time to put up the Christmas stalks. In large sections of the country gateposts and porticos are decorated with evergreen trees which have the twigs taken off so only the top tufts remain. This custom is described in both Olof Rudbeck's Atlantica and in Carl Linnaeus' Dalaresan, the Dalecarlia Journey. The custom has also been common in the Swedish settlements in Finland.
In some villages it happened that people, with the aldermen at the head, went from estate to estate and put up the stalks. It meant, however, that these were strong, stable types of men who were engaged for the purpose for at every place they were offered food, beer and schnapps. And that meant to go through the entire village they needed stamina. On the rune calendar the sign of the day was often two crossed Christmas stalks. The origin of this custom is certainly to be found in the general wish to decorate with greenery in some form for the holidays. This is a continuous theme throughout the Swedish year; for Easter, Walpurgis, Midsummer and the fall’s Crayfish, Eel or fermented herring parties (all, except for crayfish, regional.

Testing the Beer
Tomas Day was also the day the beer was ready. It had been tested the first time on Anna's Day, so it was drunk happily to Tomas. This could also be marked on the calendars, in the form of a jug or a barrel. On Gotland one spoke of Tomas “fylletunne.” (Tomas, the drunk).
For the most part all the hard work was now finished and in many places there was talk of the holiday peace and quiet. In Småland among other places, there are many accounts of millers who tried to grind meal on Thomas eve. As a rule, an elf turned up, who sat on the wheel stock or stuck something in the pinion. That was strong advice that one should not grind further until after Christmas.
It was not quiet and peaceful, however, since Tomas was also a regular day for markets. This was the time when everyone would buy what had not prepared oneself for the holiday.