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athenais December 22 2008, 05:51:23 UTC
That is a fabulously decorated tree. I envy you the topper!

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akirlu December 22 2008, 06:20:15 UTC
Thank you! You know, I can't remember where or when I found the topper. It's handwoven straw, but I've had it for so long that I would guess I may have found it in Olvera Street in Los Angeles, because Mexican Christmas markets were my best source for straw ornaments until IKEA came to town. Straw decorations are trés Suedois.

I still miss the little porcelain-headed angel that my mother threw away years back. I guess it was a bit cheesy, but I earned it by being a good student in Mrs. Rudolph's (yes, really!) 2nd grade class.

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jophan December 22 2008, 08:50:31 UTC
And both flags and real candles. Very traditional! I have forgot to ask, have you noticed these yet? Lovely, high-quality production.

God jul!

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akirlu December 22 2008, 22:28:10 UTC
God jul!

Yes, I do a Veddy Swedish Tree -- though finding the various traditional ornaments has been the work of years. All those cheap bits and bobs get expensive and rare once you transit the Atlantic. But it Must Be Done, you know. It's one of those things you usually get in emigrants, one way or another. Some aspect of nostalgia gets sealed in amber as homage to the homeland. My mother makes dopp i gryta and a jillion different cookies every Christmas, for instance, despite an avowed indifference to all things Swedish.

Yes, I have all the Moomin re-issues that are out so far. I've been very pleased with the production quality, not to mention being able to show them to my anglophone friends.

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jophan December 22 2008, 22:54:33 UTC
Christmas is one of the areas where nostalgia rules, ethnic or not. I assume your mother does the traditional Swedish Christmas things not because she nostalgic about Sweden, but because they simply belong to her ingrained Christmas traditions. Hmm, dopp i grytan. I wonder whether jlms will get that this year or not. I didn't grow up with it, but to her it's important.

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