The last week in November, we were invited to a fun party with some friends in our ward, the M family. The party started with lots of introductions, food, visiting and relaxing.
(Our host and hostess)
Shortly after dinner, the children were invited downstairs for simple coloring and a fun craft. This is a giant Christmas popper, made using tissue paper and empty toilet paper rolls filled with candy. It was pretty complex, but Evie, the only one of mine who chose to do it, successfully completed her own without help!
In this picture, Sonia is helping the kids. Sonia is in traditional Swedish costume, since we were celebrating Santa Lucia (more on that later).
There was a lot of fun, traditional Swedish dancing. Lots of hand-holding, circles and fun foot moves!
After the dancing, the children were called to dress up. Wikipedia informed me, 'In the Lucia procession in the home...the oldest daughter brings coffee and [sweets] to her parents while wearing a candle-wreath and singing a Lucia song. Other daughters may help, dressed in the same kind of white robe and carrying a candle in one hand, but only the oldest daughter wears the candle-wreath...Boys take part in the procession as well, playing different roles associated with Christmas. Some may be dressed in the same kind of white robe, but with a cone-shaped hat decorated with golden stars, called stjärngossar (star boys); some may be dressed up as "tomtenissar" [I think this is an elf?], carrying lanterns; and some may be dressed up as gingerbread men.'
My girls got to be part of the procession, too!
After the children performed a couple of pieces of music and served all the adults some {really tasty} treats, we all sang "Silent Night" and parted for the evening. This was such a lot of fun for us! It was a great, fun cultural experience for me and for my kids.
My sister-in-law and her mother helped us all through the traditions, since Sonia is Swedish and they've celebrated Saint Lucy's Day for a very long time!
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