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Countdown to Christmas 2016 - Week 5 - Portugal
In Portugal, Christmas is celebrated with festive fun, but since it is a predominantly Catholic country, there is also much solemnity to the holiday. A family Christmas tradition is setting up the presépio (nativity scene), the representation of Christ's birth in the stable at Bethlehem. While some families keep the creche simple, displaying only the Holy Family, many set up elaborate scenes, including the Three Kings, shepherds and the sheep, angels, other animals, lakes (made with mirrors) and hills (made with stones, moss, and clay). The materials used to decorate the presépio are traditionally collected by the children. A few days before Christmas Eve, the Baby Jesus is taken out of the manger.
Countdown to Christmas 2016 - Week 4 - Kenya
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Since Kenya is predominantly a Christian country (approximately 82%), the celebration of Christmas is very important. A few days before Christmas, a mass migration of people from the cities and other parts of Kenya is made, back to the villages of their parents’ home in the "upcountry." Family members and relatives all congregate to celebrate. For many people, this is the only time of the year they have the chance to see their families, so it is a very important time to reconnect.
Countdown to Christmas 2016 - Week 3 - Ukraine
Christmas caroling in Ukraine
Even from a very early age, I have always been fascinated with words and languages. When I was in college, I took several languages, including Russian. Russian was challenging, especially trying to learn the Cyrillic alphabet and wrap my tongue around and pronouncing words with a string of strangely placed consonants. But what made the class VERY special was our instructor. I don’t remember her last name but her first was Natasha and she was from Ukraine, then a part of the Soviet Union. She was very kind and very understanding with a great sense of humor. We all loved to listen to her stories of growing up and the family traditions. She and her family had a very hard life but the countryside itself sounded enchanting. And I’m sure we learned to speak Russian with a Ukrainian accent! So I have always had a fascination with Ukraine (and am so sad about what is happening there right now). So, Natasha, wherever you might be right now, you inspired this edition of the Countdown to Christmas.
Countdown to Christmas 2016 - Week 2 - Italy
Carved life size presepe, Santa Maria d'Aracoeli Presepe Christmas Day Rome, 2012; photo by Margot Balboni
Traditionally, Christmas in Italy is celebrated over several weeks, from December 6th, St. Nicholas Day, until January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany. On St. Nicholas Day, children write letters to St Nicholas asking for gifts and they hang up either a sock or put a plate on the table on the eve of Nicholas Day’s. If the children have been good throughout the last year, they will get some fruits, nuts and sweets from St. Nicholas while the naughty ones will also get a sweet, but one looking like lump of coal. The main gift giving day is January 6 - the day on which the Wise Men brought their gifts to the Christ Child.
Countdown to Christmas 2016 - Week 1 - Norway
Christmas in Trondheim, Norway; photo by PLANET LEW
This past weekend started the fifth annual “Countdown to Christmas 2016” collection hosted each year by Julie and Blu of Blue Morning Expressions. It is a way for handmade artisan and vintage sellers to share three of their items each week, each one perfect for Christmas gift giving. I will pick my favorite item each week and share them here in this blog.
Also, I plan on sharing a bit about how different countries around the world celebrate Christmas. This week, Norway is highlighted:
Mother's Day Countdown - Handmade and Vintage Gifts, Week 9
It is with a somewhat heavy heart that I have to say that the Mother’s Day Countdown 2016 has come to a close. The weekend of week 9 has come and gone and Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 8. If you haven't done your shopping, there is still a bit of time, especially if you use expedited shipping or Mom is willing to wait for her perfect gift. A fabulous place to shop is at Julie and Blu's Mother’s Day Countdown collection of handmade and vintage items any Mother will love to receive and cherish for years to come. This week, 57 wondrous items were shared. The items included: jewelry of many different styles, vintage postcards, business card holders, party items, crochet, sewing, polymer clay art, lampwork and more - so many different items and techniques. Shop now!
Mother's Day Countdown - Handmade and Vintage Gifts, Week 8
And we are inching ever more closely to the end of the Mother's Day Countdown 2016! Inching??? Who am I kidding? It is blowing by at rocket speed! Since Mother’s Day will be here before you know it, NOW is the time to start your shopping and gift purchasing! Browse the Countdown collection, hosted by Julie and Blu of BlueMorningExpressions on their BluPrint blog, and visit the shops of the artists who participated who have shops filled with amazing beauties. Many creations you will see are one of a kind and definitely handmade from the heart. Buy HANDMADE this year! There is something in the beautiful Mother's Day Countdown collection for even the pickiest of Moms!
Mother's Day Countdown - Handmade Gifts, Week 7
WOW! Can you believe that week 7 of the Mother's Day Countdown 2016 has come and gone? Even though it blew by, many handmade beauties were left in its wake. Mother’s Day will be here before you know it - now is the time to start your shopping and gift purchasing! Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, now is the perfect time to start thinking about gift(s) for your Mom. Browse the collection shares for this week and visit the shops. Many creations are one of a kind and handmade from the heart. Buy HANDMADE this year! There is something in the beautiful collection for even the pickiest of Moms! Julie and Blu of BlueMorningExpressions / polymerclaybeads are hosting the Mother’s Day Countdown on their BluPrint blog, a tradition in its 4th year.
Mother's Day Countdown - Handmade Gifts, Week 6
The sixth week of "Mother's Day Countdown 2016" has come and gone, leaving in its wake many handmade goodies. Julie and Blu of BlueMorningExpressions / polymerclaybeads are hosting the Countdown on their BluPrint blog, a tradition in its 4th year. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, now is the perfect time to start thinking about your Mom's gift(s). Browse the handmade shares for this week - many are, by the way, one of a kind creations - visit the shops of the artists featured and buy Mom a beauty that was handmade from the heart. There is something in this beautiful collection for even the pickiest of Moms!
Mother's Day Countdown - Handmade and Vintage Gifts, Week 5
The fifth week of the "Mother's Day Countdown 2016" certainly blew past quickly! Hosted by Julie and Blu of BlueMorningExpressions on their BluPrint blog, handmade and vintage gift ideas are shared by artisans to make Mother's Day shopping extra easy. Mother's Day will be here before you know it - there is no time like now to start thinking about searcjing for, and even purchasing, your Mom's gift(s). Browse the handmade shares for this week and visit the shops of the 16 artists featured here for even more lovelies, many of which are one of a kind designs, that will be perfect for even the most discerning of Moms!
