I wouldn't dream of boring you with my thoughts concerning heritage. But suffice it to say I've actually thought about it many times and in great details. Like I said before, I will spare you that, for now. But what I will not spare you is the idea that occasionally I feel more Swedish than others. Every year I vow that I will try to stay in the Christmas spirit until January 14--Knut's Day--the day in Sweden appointed to discard the Christmas tree and devour all the edible decorations.
While I dream that this is quite an occasion, I wake up Dec. 29 with an overwhelming desire to take down that damn tree... and the garlands... and the lights... and the hurricanes filled with glass ornaments... and the miniature trees... and the numerous creches... and...
So despite that fact that my heart palpitates every time I see an IKEA, I might not be as Swedish as I wish. But I am still toying with the idea of dressing as "Old Knut" and playing practical jokes on my kids. Because seriously, how fun is that?!?!!? And like a good Swede, I do make a promise to my big 'ol artificial tree that we will be reunited in one year -- for better, or for worse. Now, give me the vacuum and get out of my way.
5 comments:
I am SOOOO with you on wanting all of this stuff gone, gone, gone. I've actually been told I'm a Scrooge (guess who made that comment) because of my overwhelming urge to hide anything red or green on December 26th but I disagree. I'm am totally ho,ho,ho and deck the halls until that day.
There should be a service that comes to your house to put up and take down the tree when you have the holidays blahs. I've been dutifully plugging ours in every morning since Christmas, but the twinkling lights are just aggravating me. Can't. wait. for. it. to. be. gone. gone. gone. gone.
I too, have been slowly putting away the "stuff". Just want you to know what fun the "Tangrm" is. The directions say that you can do one a day for 2009. Well, I cheated. It's not yet 2009 and I am well into May. Let's say it's addictive. It's sitting on my kitchen counter and I can't go by without completing a page. It's fun. Grandpa did one and gave up. I love it!
I love that you know Swedish traditions. Every year I think, when it is far too late, that we will celebrate with a Swedish twist this year, and then we don't. Maybe next? You could inspire me to do this. I, too, have considered spending less time celebrating in they days before Christmas and more time celebrating after! It makes so much more sense, since it is such a long, long time until the next holiday. However, I did notice the Valentine's day stuff up in the stores yesterday. YIKES.
PS: Love the picture of Coop, reminded me of you.
I didn't know about that Swedish tradition. But I have taught Maylin the names of her fingers in Swedish. Does that count as a tradition? Hee Hee Hee...Today, I am feeling the urge to clean up too, but I think I will wait until the kids go back to school. Much easier then.
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