December 23, 2009

The Day Before...

Thoday is somehow the best day of the Holidays. In Scandinavia and some other European countries, we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, on the 24th of December. Therefore the day before is a very magical day.

It is called "The Little Christmas Eve" and is often used to celebrate Christmas by families that spend the 24th somewhere else.
As a child, I recall the day before to be filled with uncanny excitement and great happiness.

My home is today receiving the last touches before the big day, as is the case in many other homes around. Everything seems to be ready; the house is decorated, the presents are wrapped or send and the scents filling the air are very traditional. I will spend tomorrow with very good friends of mine, a tradition I have carried out for many years by now.




I guess I was not all that bad this year either as the postman, all dressed in red, brought me packages with a big smile on his face the other day. As I gaze at the neat handwriting, that I so well recognize, I feel extremely blessed, lucky and very loved. Even though I will be missing my loved ones this Christmas, I am with them in my heart and soul.

Everything in my immediate surroundings is covered by snow. We received even more of it in yesterdays storm and the fluffy blanket is adding to the magic in an unusual way. I could not resist documenting the heavy snow fall in the short clip below, as it gives us our first White Christmas in many years.

Slowly the true Christmas spirit settles across my house and home, bringing back memories of times gone and stirring up hopes of wonderful times ahead.

26 comments:

Helen McGinn said...

We had a lie in this Little Christmas Eve and I got up to find the kids running round in circles, so excited. It IS a good day!

I love the snowy video, it's snowing here too...hurrah! Not like your snow, but snow nonetheless and enough to bring the British infrastructure to a screeching halt. But WE bought a new sledge...guess what the plans are today? The excitement is contagious.

I hope you enjoy opening your gifts and that you have a lovely time with friends. Have a wonderful Christmas and happy new year.

Helen xx

sallymandy said...

Lovely! Thank you for the video clip. It's wonderful seeing your patio and the other scenes from your house that you showed us blooming in the spring last year, and then changing throughout the seasons.

You have a beautiful way of writing about the seasons and holidays that makes me feel like we're all close together as we celebrate this one.

Have a blessed next three days, Z. xoxo

Hilary said...

You sure epitomize the best of the season's beauty and romance. Why am I not surprised? :) Enjoy your time with friends, Zuzana. And I'll bet there's something wonderful in those packages. :)

BLOGitse said...

Thank you for this beautiful posting.
I'm going to have a blogging break so I want wish you
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Kath said...

How lovely to have a postman dressed in red! Ours are wearing day-glo yellow waistcoats and grumpy expressions :)
I'm so sorry you will not be with your family, but I know you will have a peaceful and blessed holiday. I have so enjoyed "meeting" you and getting to know you, I want 2010 to bring you everything you would wish for and more. love Kath in England

steviewren said...

Happy Little Christmas Eve...when I was a child we called today Christmas Eve Eve. I hope you have a wonderful snowy Christmas celebration with your friends. May every moment be a blessing to you.

I will work half a day tomorrow. Tomorrow evening all of our family will gather at our parent's home. My mother decorates every nook and cranny. We will share a meal and then there will be the traditional handling out of gifts. We don't open then there but take them home for Christmas morning. We celebrated the exact same way throughout my childhood, spending Christmas eve at my mother's mothers home with all of our aunts, uncles and cousins. After leaving my parents, I will drive north a couple of hours to spend the night with my oldest son and his family. My youngest son will go with me. We all open our gifts together Christmas morning.

Merry Christmas to you dear friend!

Claus said...

It is the 24th what we celebrate in Guatemala too!! good coincidence :-) We go to work today with some excitment and counting the hours for the day to end, to get back home, and start the celebration, with nice food and snacks, traditional music, friends and family...what a nice time. Have a good Little Christmas Eve from this corner to yours.
*hugs*

PS lovely video!!

Brian Miller said...

yay for white christmas and for the spirit settling on the house...i hope you have an amazing holiday with friends and th memories keep you warm. smiles.

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

I particularly LOVE the first photo with the lights in the right corner and the covering of lovely snow!

I have never heard of "The Little Christmas Eve" and like it so much. We have a wonderful Christmas Eve party and we look forward to it so much that I must tell the kiddos that TODAY is "The Little Christmas Eve!"

Merry! MERRY! Dear Zuzana!

United Studies said...

I am looking forward to tomorrow, having a big Christmas dinner and exchanging gifts with family.

Much love to you!!

Four Seasons in a Life said...

On this day hold close the ones you hold dear and together share in the moment those who cannot be present.

Egmont

Anonymous said...

Lovely post - filled with love. I wanted to stop by and wish you a very special Merry Christmas, Zuzana. I am so lucky to have found you - visiting your blog is always a joy.
Merry, Merry Christmas!
Zuzu

Anonymous said...

Have a Happy Little Christmas Eve! Your photos are beautiful..I especially like the window with the red accents. Have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year, my friend : )

Rosezilla (Tracie Walker) said...

Oh, lovely! I like the country scenes above and the city ones below, all beautiful and Christmasy. My hubby always called this Christmas Eve-Eve like Steviewren. My mom always has a big family party Christmas Eve night so we go to church first and then over there. Christmas Day this year with the kids (used to be Christmas Eve after Mom's but we are older and that's too late!). In the afternoon of Christmas hubby's Mom has her Christmas dinner. My hubby's b'day is the day after Christmas and our anniversary is two days after that! 31 years. Merry Christmas!

Phivos Nicolaides said...

Your post make the difference Zuzana! Kind wishes.

Anonymous said...

Zuzana,
Another wonderful example of you sharing the Spirit of Christmas in your corner of the world.. The Little Christmas Eve... I love it.
Thank you for sharing. I've enjoyed all of your interesting Scandinavian Christmas Traditions.
I wish you the Warmest of Christmas Wishes and Holiday Cheer!
The Bach

sprinkles said...

I'm so glad you're getting your wish for a white Christmas! Looks like we'll be having one this year too!

I'm also very happy to hear you won't be alone for the holiday. I hope you get everything you ever wanted for Christmas in those packages.

How festive that your mailman was dressed in red! I never see mine as I have all of my mail delivered to the post office. I imagine they're dressed more for warmth than for the holiday season though.

Absolutely Ladylike said...

Dear Zuzana...

We will also have white Christmas over here in Norway...it's snowing right now and I love it! Thinking of you a lot dear :-)

Wishing you Merry Christmas and a beautiful holiday season. And thank you so much for being such a wonderful friend! Much love: Evi

Betsy Brock said...

Have a wonderful celebration with your dear friends! I'm sure it will be a special time.

Isn't it fun to get packages in the mail? There is something extra special about it! :)
Merry Christmas!

PorkStar said...

Nice blog and amazing pictures.

New follower here. I will be visiting your country next year, I'm dying to go there!! : )

Unknown said...

lovely sentiment Zuzana. you are a special person and have touched many hearts through your writing and stunning photos.

Merry Christmas and a very blessed New Year to you and your loved ones.

GYPSYWOMAN said...

just to wish you and yours peace love and passion in this holiday season - jenean

julochka said...

i'm so glad the snow stayed for christmas. it's almost gone now, thanks to rain, but it was wonderful while it was here!!

xox,
/j

Sharon Lovejoy said...

I read this posting over and over. It filled me with a sense of continuity and love. Thank you so much for sharing this.

Sending best wishes for a joyous (and healthy) 2010. Keep sharing the magic.

Sharon Lovejoy writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

Hazel Designs said...

Zuzana, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! All the best in the New Year!

Hazel

Zuzana said...

Helen, sallymandy, Hilary, BLOGitse, Kath, Stevie, Claudia, Brian, Jill, Jacki, Egmont, Zuzu, LadyCat, Rosezilla, Phillip, The Bach, sprinkles, Evi, Betsy, PorkStar (welcome!), Doreeen, GYPSYWOMAN, julochka, Sharon (welcome!) – than you all kindly for your lovely wished and kind words.
You all make this blog to what it is my friends,
Xoxo
Zuzana