Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. Ever since I was a kid I have always been anxious for Christmas time. I guess it’s because it’s a time for family, memories and Finnish traditions. One of my favourite things to do during the holiday season is make Finnish Ice Candles. Edie Täti , (Täti means aunt in finn) would always have her deck decorated with numerous ice candles she made. Every night she’d light them up and put on her Christmas lights and my sister and I would watch from our bedroom window across the field at the spectacular display of lights.
On the 21st, I went over to my aunt Edie’s to help her decorate her real tree, which she chopped down herself from her yard. We had so much fun hanging the old ornaments that have been around for so many Christmas’, ones with the years printed on them, old fashion Joulupukki figures, and the classic bubble light. When I was a kid, my siblings and I would sit for hours in front of the tree watching those bubble lights. That is Christmas to me- that bubble light.
Brings back so many memories of Christmas’ past. (As with most of my posts, if anyone will appreciate my blurb on the bubble light, it will be my sister Holly.) As I was leaving Edie’s, I noticed all her ice candles on her deck- if anything, my aunt has always been consistent. I, of course, was inspired to make my own ice candles to keep the tradition going. My mom and I had fun adding food colouring to them, pine needles and lemon slices. Here are some pictures of our creations.
Another tradition I had when I was younger was going over to Edie Täti’s on Christmas Eve close to midnight. We’d sit around the tree, fascinated by the bubble light and listen to family stories. We’d also count down to midnight so we could go home and open our presents! Since I am living at my mom’s right now, I thought it would be fun to revisit this old tradition. So at 12:30am, after all my Christmas Eve festivities I went over to Edie’s with a bottle of Cabernet Franc (one of my favourite wines). Judy Täti was there too, along with my cousin Sara. And like most visits at Edie’s, we sat around the tree, telling family stories, laughing and being mesmerized by that infamous bubble light. I didn’t end up leaving until after 2… it definitely was one of the highlights to my Christmas. I couldn’t help but miss my sister Holly and my brother Jeff. Perhaps that is why I wanted to write about my Christmas Traditions… in hopes that my sister and brother would come home for a Christmas, since it’s been too long since we’ve giggled together, drank egg nog, quoted “While You Were Sleeping” and been awestruck by Edie’s amazing bubble light. Miss you guys!!!
On the 21st, I went over to my aunt Edie’s to help her decorate her real tree, which she chopped down herself from her yard. We had so much fun hanging the old ornaments that have been around for so many Christmas’, ones with the years printed on them, old fashion Joulupukki figures, and the classic bubble light. When I was a kid, my siblings and I would sit for hours in front of the tree watching those bubble lights. That is Christmas to me- that bubble light.
Brings back so many memories of Christmas’ past. (As with most of my posts, if anyone will appreciate my blurb on the bubble light, it will be my sister Holly.) As I was leaving Edie’s, I noticed all her ice candles on her deck- if anything, my aunt has always been consistent. I, of course, was inspired to make my own ice candles to keep the tradition going. My mom and I had fun adding food colouring to them, pine needles and lemon slices. Here are some pictures of our creations.
Another tradition I had when I was younger was going over to Edie Täti’s on Christmas Eve close to midnight. We’d sit around the tree, fascinated by the bubble light and listen to family stories. We’d also count down to midnight so we could go home and open our presents! Since I am living at my mom’s right now, I thought it would be fun to revisit this old tradition. So at 12:30am, after all my Christmas Eve festivities I went over to Edie’s with a bottle of Cabernet Franc (one of my favourite wines). Judy Täti was there too, along with my cousin Sara. And like most visits at Edie’s, we sat around the tree, telling family stories, laughing and being mesmerized by that infamous bubble light. I didn’t end up leaving until after 2… it definitely was one of the highlights to my Christmas. I couldn’t help but miss my sister Holly and my brother Jeff. Perhaps that is why I wanted to write about my Christmas Traditions… in hopes that my sister and brother would come home for a Christmas, since it’s been too long since we’ve giggled together, drank egg nog, quoted “While You Were Sleeping” and been awestruck by Edie’s amazing bubble light. Miss you guys!!!
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