Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-12-17
A NORWEGIAN CHRISTMAS
Observance of the Festival in the Land of
the Pine Is Marked by Unique Prac-
tees and Customs.

Christmas lasts long while in Norway
| and Sweden; nearly half the year. This
| is because several months are spent be-
fore the great day in looking forward and
preparing for ii, and several months IL
er it. in locking backward and taking
over its past joys. There is no country IN
lHe world where the celebration is more
| TYPICAL 10 country better fitted for this
celebration than the land OF the dark
Norway pine. For though Christmas
may be Christmas in tie spirit Of its OBJ
sefVance the world over, il can only have.
the real Ilng, the genuine flavor where
Tue SHOWS craekle under foot and the
| stars gIltter like diamonds in the keen
frosty ar. That is the habitat o. Jolly
SAM NICK, and from palace 10 the poor
est cottage All over Norway the houses
| are fragrant with spruce. and pine and
christmas carols and Christmas bells ring
ON tnelr messages Of cheer and good
VIII. The gracious custom still obtains of
fastening sAeayes Of wheat or corn cut
SIDE the windows that the snow birds
may have d merry Christmas too Visits
are freely exchanged on Christmas day
| and to all Corners is offered the so-called
poor mans cake, 'fattigmandes. There
IS nothing poor about the cake however,
FOR It IS very delicious compound.
The preparations for the great festival
| ~ s5iii cary III OEtDDFt, tie UTSL SItD De-
ing the butchering of especially selected
animals. In Deletarlia, Sweden, there is
always a particular butcher who passes
from farm to farm to kill hogs and cure
hams. After this comes the house clean
ing. Which is no small operation, as the
entire house from garnet TO cellar is gone
over and left in a most immaculate con-
dition. The washing of clothes, blankets
and curtains also takes place at this
tune, so that By the first of December
All IS IN readiness for the Christmas bak-
ing. Such an ado as there is over this
baking: one would think the fate of the
nation hung upon the proper mixing of
butter, eggs spices and various other edi-
pies. All the women and children who
are old enough have hand in these
preparations, seeding raisDs, shelling
nuts ana beating up cakes. Cakes of all
sizes ana descriptions are made: the regu-
lar CHRISTMAS cake somewhat resembles
our raisin bread and the poor mans cake
which IS something of a misnomer is n
rlch compound of eggs and cream and
other ingredients. Just before Christmas
comes the bread making, in order that by
christmas eve all may be done and the
servants and housekeeper may be free
from care during the twenty days fol-
towing. Christmas, which are given over
to festivities.
The day before Christmas eve sees the
last marketing done aud the market placs
at that time is a scene for an artist.
from far and near the peasants gather,
many of them IN quaint costumes of va
rlegatcd colors. Such a gathering of
voices as there is over the bargaining
and buying, such an exchange of greet
ing, such Il moving mass of color, Sud
denly all comes TO an end, at g O'Clock,
the, bells Of ali the churches begin to ring
and all the shops are closed
The Christmas eve celebration is al
ways one Of family reunion and is looked
upon as sacred time. Early in the
evening one of the younger children re-
CITES a Christmas hymn, which is fol-
lowed by the serving of supper Some of
the dishes which are pretty sure To fig
ure a this feast are rice porridge, spare
RIBS crarberlies and poor mans CAKE
After supper the doors of the parior are
thrown open to display in the center the
great tree loaded with gifts. The COM
pany enter two by two and encircle the
Tree singing merry Christmas CAROL
after which the presents are distributed
EaIly Christmas morning the sound of
bells and music is heard far and Wite
Bands are stationed at different places,
at some Instances III the church towers
the sheayes of wheat are placed in the
windows for the birds and Il. 10 o'clock
everybody goes to church.
Many unique customs are practiced hy
the peasantry living in the central noun
tanS of Norway, though masqueradmg
Is not as much INDUCED in as formerly
There is legend of an old man called
the Doyregubhe, who was supposed 10
live in an enchanted castle and drive
about on Christmas night, visiting his
wrath upon all peasants who failed to
place bowl of rye porridge in his way.
Very little shopping or unnecessary
work is done in Norway until january
l. hat Ia+a Il
Christmas being largely devoted to joy-
ful family and friendly reunions The
Swedes and Norwegians of America. who
are able to visit their native land. always
plan to do so Mt the Christmas season
for it is one of their greatest joys to
be at home in time for the heartfelt
greeting of "Glaedelig Jul Brooklyn