Growing up in Denmark, Santa Lucia day (December 13th), was a big deal. Girls would wear white dresses to school and one lucky girl would get to wear the wreath of candles while we all sang the traditional song. I wanted my girls to also experience the fun and traditions behind this holiday and learn a little about the history of this young martyr.
We did our morning bookwork by candlelight and then had fun with some crafts and activities I'd been planning. First we read books about Saint Lucy and the history of the holiday. We then made wreaths out of rosemary (the only kind-of appropriate green thing growing in my yard) and small candles. I had planned to make wreaths similar to these (scroll down) but had to improvise as I just didn't get to it. I know, new baby and I couldn't find time to make elaborate felt crowns? Go figure. You could also buy wreaths fitted with lights like these and these, but lacking money for such frivolous things as fancy candlelight wreaths, the rosemary and wire crowns had to do. Little West also had to get in on the wreath making even though boys usually wear tall cone hats with stars on them (he refused to wear his cone hat, demanding a wreath like his sisters. Oh the joy of having a toddler!)
We also made traditional Lussekatter (saffron buns) and beeswax teacup candles as part of this holiday's observance of light and Christ as the light of the world. We played with these free Santa Lucia paper dolls and planned to make these cute little Santa Lucia peg dolls but ran out of time.
While the buns baked, the girls dressed up in their white dresses and we then took the bread next door for a little party at my mom's house where my sister, grandmother and uncle are also staying this week.
It was a fun day and it was nice to break up the usual school work with something a little different.
