My Swedish Christmas Tree

Many years ago my brothers and I decided to not buy live Christmas trees any more. The only exception in the family was my mother – everybody agreed there HAD TO be a live tree at her house, as this is where we spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Now that doesn’t mean we don’t have a Christmas tree. In our home we actually have three… all of them wooden. Some years they all go up, some years they don’t. But the one that ALWAYS goes up is my Swedish tree. It is my favorite one, and consists of miniature ornaments.

In truth, although this tree did start out as exclusively Swedish, it would be more correct to say now that it is an *international* tree. Among some of the very first ornaments I still have these Kosta Boda crystal ornaments, which can no longer be found on the market.

In true Swedish tradition, many of the initial ornaments were made out of straw. Sadly, straw tends to deteriorate pretty quickly, so there are only a few of these ornaments left.

In my previous life as a conference interpreter I traveled quite extensively, so one of the “souvenirs” I often came back with was some little ornament to add to my tree. I guess it wouldn’t be at all surprising to say my favorite ornaments are probably the little German figurines. Some of them were purchased in Carmel, California, and many of them while in Germany on several occasions.

Friends and family have also added to my little tree… like this little ornament from El Salvador, given to me by a cousin.

Another favorite is this teeny tiny Nativity scene, purchased at a salt mine I once visited with one of my Colombian cousins, right outside Bogotá. Incredibly, it is only 1¼” tall, and the little figures inside are less than a ¼” tall!

And, of course, Ecuador also had to be represented, right? This little angel is made out of a eucalyptus seed and bowtie noodle. Quite ingenious, don’t you think?

 And then there are several ornaments made by friends specifically to be added to my collection.

Beyond the fact that I love miniatures, probably the real reason why I love this tree so much is because of all the memories attached to it… so many special people reflected here. I have truly been blessed in my life. 🙂