by Looking back: Jule favourites
Deep in the archives of three years ago is this favourite Christmas season post of mine and reposted here almost fully:
My favourite things about Christmas are the things that appeal to the romantic and the child in me. I love the visual delights of little white lights, red candles, evergreens, snow, red berries, pine cones and red folk embroidery on linens. I love exquisitely illustrated childrens’ books like Jan Brett’s The Wild Christmas Reindeer, something I bought just for myself to enjoy every Christmas.
I love Christmas music, especially when sung by young voices like Heintje (O Tannenbaum), romantic voices from the 40’s and 50’s like Doris Day, Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby (I Dream of a White Christmas), or powerful operatic voices.
Virtual Finland’s Christmas* appeals to the romantic and the child. Visit Santa or “Joulupukki” in his gorgeous clothes, with his elves and reindeer in Lapland (that’s where Santa lives, didn’t you know?). Look at the lovely cards from Christmases past and recipes for traditional Finnish Christmas foods. I also love these little Finnish folk poems* about the little animals in the wintry woods (click on ‘lorupiha’ then each creature, in Finnish only but sounds interesting).
We are busy preparing the house, the decorations, the gifts, and all the favourite foods for our family Christmas of blended traditions. Christmas Eve is our big night, a tradition with both the Finns and the Germans, with a lovely meal, carols around the piano, and then Santa’s visit, so carefully planned to happen out of sight of little children. Oh, such excitement! Happy childhood memories evoked by all the sights, sounds and tastes and watching the shining happy eyes of another generation (a grandchild) make Christmas special for me.
What can I add this year? Two things come to mind. One is another grandchild now 2, who with her 7-year old sister makes up a lively happy pair through whose eyes we can experience the awe and the joy of this season. Otherwise we might be a bit jaded by it all now, hmm?
Secondly, I must mention a beautiful music CD, already quite old, from our modest collection: Vienna Noel with Placido Domingo, Sissel Kyrkjebo and Charles Aznavour. The Norwegian Sissel is absolutely divine and angelic, fitting beautifully with the equally great male singers. My heart soars at every listening!
If I were in Europe, I’d love to go to the traditional Christmas Markets. On one of his business trips many year ago, my husband was in Austria before Christmas. He brought back many lovely handmade tree ornaments that we treasure. I learned that Helsinki has a Christmas Market too. This could be another favourite!
What are your favourite things this time of year, dear readers? I hope you take great pleasure in them as you prepare for the holidays!
UPDATE Dec.23, 2007: Just read this in our weekend newspaper, A land of Christmas: “For hundreds of years, the towns of Germany have celebrated the yuletide season with markets filled with the produce of local artisans…” Exactly what I dream of visiting!
UPDATE Dec.3, 2013: Almost six years later, oh nine for that earlier linked post, I am saddened by the many dead links, some marked * and removed.
December 16, 2007 in Being an Artist, Books, Culture, Home, Music by Marja-Leena
How lovely; those photos would make good Christmas cards!
I’ve heard Sissel from time to time for years and like her voice, I must look her up,and also Virtual Finland.
Lucy, thanks, in a way, these could be online Christmas cards. Hope you enjoy those links!
Let’s see, for me it’s putting up my two Christmas trees. Seeing all the holiday decoration, especalliy when they go tab overboard with it.
For this year, due to my boss being sick. I got to decorated the children’s room at the library I work at. It got crazy at times but I pull it off!!
Finally, this year I brough myself a wonderful Christmas present. A Apple 24’iMac. there’s picture of it on my blog.
Cathy, those are wonderful things! And I’m a tad envious of your 24″ iMac. You will really enjoy that! I have a 20″ iMac, the 24″ was too expensive three years ago.