The Christmas tree is decorated. The food is being prepared. All the gifts are wrapped. Yeah, I think Christmas is finally upon us!
Christmas gifts waiting under the Christmas tree. Photo: Erik Forsberg, (CC BY NC SA)
Tag archives for Christmas
Merry Christmas!
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Most people would say being together with family and friends is the most important part of celebrating Christmas. A lot of Swedes would probably add watching Donald Duck on TV at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve to the list of important features during Christmas.
Everyone is unfortunately not in a situation where they can enjoy the holiday with loved ones. According to a survey made by Stadsmissionen (charity organization) in April 2010 at least 2982 persons are homeless in Stockholm. To make people more aware of this problem Stadsmissionen created the campaign “Help us bring down an old Christmas tradition” (”Hjälp oss att bryta en gammal jultradition”) to raise money to this cause.
On Christmas Eve Stadsmissionen will put up big flatscreens at Stureplan in central Stockholm and broadcast “Donald Duck and his friends wish you a merry Christmas” (“Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar en God Jul”). The hopes are, of course, that the ratings will be as low as possible.
Another part of the campaign is an exhibition of gingerbread houses. Architect Eva Grane and confectioner of the year, Roy Fares, have created gingerbread houses framed as symbols for what a home can look like for a homeless person. The exhibition is open until January 9 at the Museum of Architecture in Stockholm.
One of the gingebread houses in the exhibition to help put focus on homelessness in Sweden. Photo: Stadsmissionen
Here in the Old Town of Stockholm (Gamla stan) we start to feel the Christmas vibe. Everything is covered in snow. Christmas music is played in every store and the Old Town has transformed into a Christmas fair. Here are some pictures from my lunch walk yesterday.
Christmas fair in Gamla stan.
Home made products and handicraft for sale at the Christmas fair.
