God Jul
Wherever we travel for Thanksgiving, MTM and I always buy a trinket to remind us of the destination. Sometimes, it’s an actual ornament, but we hang it on the tree regardless.
Of all the Thanksgiving trips we’ve taken, the one to Stockholm in 2010 topped all others for Christmas cheer and holiday spirit. It snowed fat, fluffy flakes every day. The air felt North Pole-ish. Christmas markets inhabited every snowy square and park. Dark windows were lit with paper stars.
Every time I unwrap my God Jul ornament, I remember the brush of the chill on my face. I can see the snowflakes in my hair and feel them melting on my tongue. Songs and sounds come back to me in the air, and I see that Nordic sunlight, blurred like the twinkle of a Christmas bulb on my tree.
To read more about Stockholm in November:
The Girl Who Played With Herself
The Sadistic Elusiveness of Bondage Tights
Is She Still a Slave to Bondage Tights?
This post is part of the series Roll Out the Holly, about the stories Christmas ornaments can conjure. Click here to read the series from the beginning.
So glad you and MTM are the hip, globe trotting types. I vicariously feel more adventurous just knowing you
I don’t think we’re very hip, but we spend way too much money traveling. I get antsy when I stay home too long.
Any reindeer in Stockholm? I must admit, “God Jul” sounds like a comic book super hero or villain along with Thor.
Have you ever been to Switzerland? I want to go there. That is where my grandfather, and much of my family actually, was born and raised.
I have not been to Switzerland, but I think MTM has. It is never in the list of cheapest flights at Thanksgiving.
Beautifully written. I can see how gorgeous it was and feel your joy, contentment and just plain ol fun, just from reading your words.
I’d never seen snow like that, Lori.
Love it Andra
Thanks, Jim.
Love the unique ornaments that are memory refreshers, fun getting them out every year and re-living the past. OY, I sound like the Grand Master Curmudgeon himself, the Cyber Ninja Michael Carnell.
I don’t do too much reliving, I’m afraid. But, I do like to walk past the tree and see something hanging there that makes me smile.
When did I earn ninja status? I thought the fabled MTM was the only ninja around here. Unfortunately I do have to admit to fitting the curmudgeon title though – at least recently.
You ought to see the conversation on Tom’s blog. I mentioned lunch yesterday, and poor Tom ended up googling ‘spank bank.’
Will you re-post the video of the people singing a Christmas song from your trip? That is such a happy tune!
It is in this series somewhere. When I get back to my desk, I will post a link.
From the amount of different ornaments that you have recently featured I think your tree must be around the size of the Norwegian giant fir tree in Trafalgar Square. Did you notice a little bit of envy in my voice.:)
I am going to have to look up the tree in Trafalgar Square, Roger.
Where do apply to be your traveling dogsbody?
Rather, where do *I* apply?
In a decade, I’ve seen a lot. I never went anywhere until I was 33.
Good king wencaslas is one of my favorite Xmas carols. I can sing all the verses. Loudly.
It really is a happy song that doesn’t really sound Christmasy to me. It’s more winter, and that’s cool.
Ha.
It’s great when objects provoke such good memories, Andra!
), but with it we had a bolt of lightning. Eerie snow, that was!
When it snows here, (if), it’s usually like the WordPress snow, and tiny flakes. Once, though, it snowed properly, with HUGE flakes that you could catch in two hands (roughly!
I remember that storm, Tom. You wrote about it, didn’t you?
Yes… I’ve probably mentioned it two or three times now…
There is nothing like a really north-northern hemisphere Christmas. Dashing through the snow.Wonderful post today, Andra, so atmospheric.
I hope to be dashing by Saturday afternoon, Kate.
How magical that is to unwrap an ornament and feel a brush of chill on your face bringing back the memory of Stockholm. God Jul.
Penny, some of your ornaments have given me the same chills in recent days.
What a cheery stocking . . . God Jul!
It is a fun little thing, Nancy.
What an excellent idea to purchase items on your trips that will be enjoyed again each year on your tree! That’s a brilliant idea! I wish now that I’d done that when my children were young. I guess it’s never too late to start a new tradition.