December 01, 2008

Calendar Candle.


Today is the start of the first winter month of this season. December comes from the Latin decem meaning ten, as it was originally the tenth month in the Roman calendar.
In Scandinavia the countdown to Christmas begins today. Lots of people lit their "kalenderlys", which in translation means, "calendar candle". The candle has numbers printed on it, from 1 to 24. One is suppose to burn one number each day until Christmas Eve. A tradition mostly for kids, nevertheless I have one every year, this one is no exception. So, here we go, burning down the number 1.

13 comments:

Michelle H. said...

I have never seen a candle like this before. What a wonderful tradition! I would be so afraid to burn off too many days. :)

Diane said...

I've never seen that before... very cool. I would totally do that... it's so easy (i.e. no tangled lights ;)

Andy - Instafather said...

I like that idea. Much better than my tradition, which is burning through money every day in December.

Hilary said...

Don't fool yourself. You've got that little child inside of you - alive and well. :)

LOL at Andy's comment.

Mahmud Yussop said...

Very interesting. A candle that counts.

Holly said...

Hilary is on to you and so am I! You are just a kid at heart. I LOVE it!! What a very cool candle and fun tradition.

Zuzana said...

mlh, that was a very funny observation; and it has happen indeed to me as well, it is easy to forget it.;) That is why I opt for bigger candles these days.:)

Diane, I like it as you lit candles anyway, so why not have a little fun? I remember loving this as a child, as it gave me so many expectations when the 24th was getting near.;)

Andy, LOL, what a great comment. This year I have a big hole in my pocket where the money was burned, so I could not agree more.;)))

Hilary, yes I am a big kid and a hopeless romantic.;) Not bound to change.:)))

Mahmud, I never thought about it that way, but it was very simply put and yet so poignant.;))

Holly, yes you guys have figured me out totally.:) I refuse to grow up!;))

Donna said...

I like the candle idea. I also like the advent calendars ~ all a part of the holiday season!
Enjoy!

Zuzana said...

Donna, I do intend to enjoy this season; likewise.;))

G said...

What a wonderful tradition! It's too late for this year, but I am determined to build this into my own tradition next year, I just love candles and being "forced" to burn one at least once a day would be magical. :)

Zuzana said...

G, I am so happy that you find this tradition so wonderful, that you will have one next year as well; that makes me very happy! Have a really nice Holiday Season:))

Bibliophile said...

I stumbled across this post while desperately trying to find a place to purchase advent candles (as I have heard them called, though this confuses them with standard advent tapers used in wreaths) for next year. I'm very happy to read such a lovely background on the candles! I love them and burn them every Christmas I can get my hands on them, but they're hard to find in my neck of the woods.

Would you mind telling me where you get these candles? Thank you so much!

Zuzana said...

Christine - I am happy you enjoyed reading about "the calender candle".;)

I live in Scandinavia, in Denmark, where these candles are available from November all the way through Christmas Holidays in almost any grocery store around the country. If you live in the US, you might want to check out Scandinavian stores or perhaps order it online. Hope this helps.;)

I hope your Holidays were lovely; thank you for stopping by.;)