This post is part of our series exploring Nordic Christmas traditions. To see the entire collection, visit the Nordic Christmas home page. It surprised me to discover that while reindeer are so prominent in our Christmas traditions, that they did not play such an outsized role in their own lands. Instead the Julbock is the main Christmas animal. Jul, as you know, means yule and refers to Keep Reading >>
Nordic Christmas: Straw Ornaments
This post is part of our series exploring Nordic Christmas traditions. To see the entire collection, visit the Nordic Christmas home page. I'm a doer. Maybe you've discovered that by now? I love to try all the things. This especially applies to crafts from around the world. So when I learned that straw ornaments are a big part of Nordic Christmas decor I determined I would learn how to Keep Reading >>
Nordic Christmas: Santa Lucia
This post is part of our series exploring Nordic Christmas traditions. To see the entire collection, visit the Nordic Christmas home page. While the story of Santa Lucia originates in Italy, outside of Italy it is primarily those of the north who celebrate. Scholars speculate that the story of a woman bringing light and hope in the darkness was especially meaningful to those for whom the winter Keep Reading >>
Nordic Christmas: Swedish Stars
This post is part of our series exploring Nordic Christmas traditions. To see the entire collection, visit the Nordic Christmas home page. Following our discussions earlier addressing ice lanterns and candles, Swedish lighted stars deserve a mention as well. Before I began studying Nordic Christmas traditions I had only seen them in the holiday section of IKEA. However, a well-lighted Keep Reading >>
Nordic Christmas: Dalas for Days
This post is part of our series exploring Nordic Christmas traditions. To see the entire collection, visit the Nordic Christmas home page. The dala horse is such an important part of Swedish heritage that it has become an international symbol of Sweden and a very popular tourist souvenir. Naturally it is also a part of Christmas traditions. Dala horses are everywhere! While there Keep Reading >>
Nordic Christmas: Light and Dark
This post is part of our series exploring Nordic Christmas traditions. To see the entire collection, visit the Nordic Christmas home page. I have loved candles for as long as I can remember. I love the interplay between the dark and light. Candles are warm, inviting, romantic, and mysterious. Like our ancient ancestors, I find the spark of fire a magical discovery. Every time. Here in Keep Reading >>
Nordic Christmas: Advent Calendars
This post is part of our series exploring Nordic Christmas traditions. To see the entire collection, visit the Nordic Christmas home page. Advent specifically refers to counting down to Christmas. It has ancient roots to the wise men watching for signs of the coming of Christ. Our modern iterations, however, are decidedly less spiritual. Modern advent is usually caloric and Keep Reading >>
Nordic Christmas: Advent
This post is part of our series exploring Nordic Christmas traditions. To see the entire collection, visit the Nordic Christmas home page. For each of the four Sundays in Advent, observers light a candle. Traditionally these four candles for the four Sundays of Advent form a wreath. Modern Scandinavian design incorporates a candelabra, and those are plentiful. But I decided to follow the more Keep Reading >>
Nordic Christmas: Crocheted Heart Ornaments
This post is part of our series exploring Nordic Christmas traditions. To see the entire collection, visit the Nordic Christmas home page. As soon as I announced that 2018 would be a Scandinavian themed Christmas, a long-time friend contacted me about a family treasure. When her father was stationed in Oslo he had picked up some delicately crocheted ornaments that she has coveted her whole Keep Reading >>
Nordic Christmas: Danish Hearts
This post is part of our series exploring Nordic Christmas traditions. To see the entire collection, visit the Nordic Christmas home page. I made these woven hearts in elementary school. We used them to hold goodies from our class Valentine's Day parties. Imagine my surprise to discover these are actually Christmas tokens! Even more surprising, Hans Christian Andersen created the oldest ones Keep Reading >>