A Lovgren Christmas and New Year's Eve 2013

Christmas was really fun. Bryan and Kimbra brought some food from Ikea (including Jul Must and the Christmas ham) and we had our traditional Swedish Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. The food probably tasted extra yummy because all five of us sat around the table. Kimbra and I made Swedish Limpa Bread earlier that day, and this year Per made homemade iced chocolate (is choclad) and cola (knack) candies.

Per and I decided to spend less on each person because the best thing about Christmas isn't the gifts or the food, but the people. We watched the birth of Jesus Christ on our "Joy to the World" DVD and simultaneously listened to Amy Grant's song "Breath of Heaven" to remember the greatest gift that Jesus Christ gave us (immortality), before we opened our presents under the tree.

I bought personalized stockings for each of us and a matching tree skirt with the name "The Lovgrens" on it so that Kimbra wouldn't be the only one with her name on a stocking. We had fun opening presents, and on Christmas day scratching lottery tickets (a fun tradition) and seeing a movie (this year "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug").

Andrew, Bryan, Jade, Per, and Kimbra Lovgren

Per's Ice Chocolate

Swedish Christmas Eve Dinner 2013

More Christmas Eve Dinner

Christmas Eve Ham

Later on Christmas Eve

Fluffy's favorite spot

Bryan and Kimbra

Per

Jade

Andrew

Of course on New Year's Eve we had our traditional dinner of seafood, a baguette, grapes, and cheese (this year crawfish, crab legs, and Boursin cheese.) Andrew felt sick and slept while just Per and I ate and celebrated. After dinner we watched the second movie of The Lord of the Rings triology (The Two Towers) and Fox News showed the midnight ball drop at Times Square in New York City to signify the new year. Surprisingly, I stayed awake past midnight and we watched Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve on TV. Per and I said "Happy New Year" at midnight and we went to sleep at 1:30am.

2013 New Year's Eve Dinner
(Seafood, a Baguette, Grapes, and Cheese)

Per's crawfish and My crab

A Reason to Love Christmas

I watched a video on YouTube called Wanted Claus and talk about taking something good and making it seem bad. Santa Claus brings goodness into people's lives. The idea of someone giving you a gift inspires hope and gratitude. There are people who don't believe in Christmas who might want Santa to seem like a bad person, though he's not. People see something twisted and might think "that's creepy" not realizing that they've been duped by someone who doesn't like Santa Claus, Christmas, or whatever.

This is a merry time of year. A time when people are more kind and call it "Christmas Cheer". Haters are gonna hate but I won't hate, I'll love. When I see something good made bad I won't automatically believe it but think about why I love the good thing.

Traditions

One of the things we always do on Christmas Eve is eat the same Swedish dinner. Per usually salt cures a ham for three weeks then cooks it the day before Christmas Eve. For dinner, we always have cold ham (Jul skinka;) potato casserole (Jansson's frestelse;) cracker bread (Knäckebröd;) rye bread (Limpa bröd;) pickled herring (Sill;) cheese (Ost;) little wieners (Prinskorv;) meatballs (Köttbullar;) summer sausage (Köttkorv;) peas (Ärtor;) boiled sausage (Värmland's korv;) boiled whole potatoes (Potatis;) and Christmas soda (Jul must.) Truly a smörgasbord.

Per's Swedish and I'm American, therefore we compromise by having an American Thanksgiving and a Swedish Christmas. We always have turkey; mashed potatoes and gravy; stuffing; green beans; yams; cranberry sauce; rolls; and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, but the recipes may be different. Not so, when it comes to Christmas Eve dinner - the recipes are always the same. On Christmas Eve we've eaten the same recipes for twenty years, and will most likely eat them for at least another twenty.

I like to do things the same way, so I guess you could say I'm not very adventurous. I usually order the same things at restaurants and go to the same places. I wear the same kinds of shoes and get similar hair cuts. I follow recipes and buy the same things when they need to be re-bought. I try new things (when I feel like it) and when I find something that I like I stick to it like glue.

I don't handle change very well; I'm usually the one that says, "Why do things have to change?" I love traditions, especially the ones we have at Christmastime.

Christmas Eve Table

Ham, Meatballs, Jansson's frestelse, Peas, Potatoes,
Varmland's korv, Little wieners, and Summer sausage

Per, slicing homemade Limpa bread

Cheese, Cracker bread, Herring

Does Anyone Send Christmas Cards Anymore?

As of today (December 19) we've received only five Christmas cards. Either 1) they aren't sending cards this year, 2) they've dropped us from their list, or 3) they are only sending cards electronically (but not to me.) We receive less cards every year. I enjoy reading the letters in some of the cards but now that most people use Facebook I already know their latest news. We live in an electronic world, but I still like to get cards, especially the ones that include letters and may or may not have pictures on the back. Maybe I like to get them because, to me, they say "I thought of you."

I know it takes a lot of effort to write the letters; put the pictures on the back; print them; sign the cards; stuff them; address them; lick them closed; and put a stamp on each one. (Believe me, I know! I sent my cards after realizing the time consuming process.) But giving is one of the gestures of the season. I can hear responses like, "I'm too busy - when will I find the time?" echoing in my head. I used to think of sending cards as no big deal, but it IS a big deal! It's a big deal because it takes time; and it's a big deal because each person receiving it is honored knowing they were considered.

It takes a lot of time and effort to get cards in the mail. To me, giving cards are like giving gifts - they say the same things, "I thought of you and wanted to give you this." True, the gift is in the giving, but even the person who thinks Christmas cards are no big deal will love it when they receive one.

Perhaps sending cards is a thing of the past. I hope not. Christmastime includes giving; and those who receive cards love knowing they were thought about. 

Christmas, To Me

The topic of Christmas is a volatile one for me because I don't want to be forced to give a present. When I think about that situation, I think of two things. First, I don't give things to people only at Christmastime but throughout the year. Second, being forced to give makes me mad. I'd rather give something because it's what I choose. I give gifts from my heart that say "I care about you" not "I got you something because I felt compelled." I realize Christmas doesn't just mean presents, but gift-giving is a major part of the holiday.

For some reason I equate Christmas with presents. If someone doesn't like what I give them; their displeasure is on them for not being happy with what they got - not on me for not giving what they wanted. (The fact that I gave them a gift at all meant I cared about them.)

It's okay if the main thing some people like about Christmas is getting presents. The main thing I like about Christmas is spending time with people. I can focus on what I like and give gifts to people because I care about them.

O Holy Night

Wow! I wish I could sing like her :) This song gives me the Christmas Spirit! I wanted to share it with you today.

35 Days to Christmas

What has happened to me?

I'm usually the person who goes shopping and puts up their tree well into December. I don't get into the 'Christmas Spirit' until about a week before the event because I don't really like Christmas and everything seems so commercial. I'm not saying that I have the Christmas Spirit but I feel the need to listen to Christmas Music, and make my house smell yummy.

Next Thursday is Thanksgiving and I think we will put up the Christmas Tree during the weekend. On top of that I might as well put out the decorations since the boxes will be out for the tree.

I'm gonna put on some holiday music and make some hot chocolate right now.

I love listening to:

• The Time-Life Treasury of Christmas
• Harry Connick Jr. "When My Heart Finds Christmas"
• The Mormon Tabernacle Choir "Nativity the Art and Music of Christmas"
• Amy Grant "A Christmas to Remember"
• Gloria Estefan "Christmas Through Your Eyes"
• Clay Aiken "Merry Christsmas with Love"
• Marshall McDonald "Christmas Dreams"
• Jewel "Joy: A Holiday Collection"

What do you love listening to?

Merry Christmas 2009

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!