Christmas - My little world

Winter Solstice and Santa Lucia at Yule

| Culture, Habits, History, Tradition, Winter

The return of the sun this Winter Solstice day is a calendar milestone with an important impact on top of the northern hemisphere. The day has been celebrated for over ten thousand years throughout the world. Interpretations of the event has varied from culture to culture, but most have held recognition of rebirth, involving holidays […]

Dreaming of a White Christmas in Norway

11 Comments

| Habits, Nature, Winter

Are you dreaming of a White Christmas, you’ve come to the right place – virtually as well as literary. In Norway, we’ve had some real good winter weather for almost a month now followed by some snow – just like it was in the good old days : -) Leaving the house late morning the […]

Christmas trees from Norway around the world

37 Comments

| Habits, History, Tradition, Winter

In New York, Washington, London, Newcastle, Berlin and more Christmas trees from Norway are lit to celebrate the beginning of advent. In some cities Festival of Trees are organised around the decoration and display of multiple trees as charity events. In these cases the trees represent special commemorative gifts. The tradition has various backgrounds and […]

Christmas Tree and Food Traditions in Norway

48 Comments

| Culture, Food, History, Winter

Norwegian’s celebration starts Christmas Eve at 6PM with a feast, a walk around the tree and presents opening. Let me share in a nutshell: Most everyone has either a spruce or a pine tree in their living room – decorated with white lights, tinsel, Norwegian flags and other ornaments for Christmas. As a child and […]

Are you Dreaming of a White Christmas?

27 Comments

| Culture, Nature, Winter

The Yuletide anticipation is crackling in the air – the tree is decorated as is the rest of the house – even the presents are tempting us, soon ready to be opened and surprises revealed. In Noway the celebration starts at 5PM at Christmas Eve, when the church bells ring. Then we have dinner at […]