Sweden celebrates Valborg, it's own version of bonfire night on the last day of April. This is a Spring festival, unlike bonfire nights and fire festivals around the world, which generally take place in late Autumn. Valborg- the name originating from Saint Walpurga, an abbess at a monastery during the 700s and traditions introduced from German in the middle ages- is about … [Read more...] about Valborg, the Swedish Bonfire Night
traditions
It’s November…so why are so many Christmas trees up?!
Can I put up my Christmas tree in November already? Well, technically you can, it's your home. Although this is against most early Christmas traditions, where the Christmas Tree is a light during the darkest days of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Putting up a Christmas tree before Christmas is a trend driven by retailers and media who are pushing because of commercial … [Read more...] about It’s November…so why are so many Christmas trees up?!
A most magical Christmas
Hearing the word Christmas as the Summer turns to Autumn fills me with a mixture of excitement and dread. I love Christmas! However, I hate all the pressure that goes with it: The pressure to make a perfect day, to squeeze all the happiness of the year into a single day, to get the perfect gifts for everyone, make the perfect food. For this reason before having … [Read more...] about A most magical Christmas
Family rituals – a postcard from the past
The other day I caught a comment about sorting postcards from a blogger friend, Ali. I completely misunderstood what she meant, thinking she was being super organised and bought and pre-wrote her Christmas cards in January (as she was putting all the Christmas paraphernalia away). She corrected me and told me about a lovely tradition they have in her family. I thought it was … [Read more...] about Family rituals – a postcard from the past
The magic childhood is made of- the Tooth Fairy comes to town
Yesterday was a big day in the family: Little Miss' first tooth fell out. She's 5 and a half and has been looking forward to this ever since the tooth started to wobble on Christmas Eve. We were just about to head home from friends when she started munching on an apple- according to her she had seen Rosie (in Everything is Rosie) loose a tooth in an apple, so she's been … [Read more...] about The magic childhood is made of- the Tooth Fairy comes to town