Lens-Artists Challenge #377 – Holiday Fun

/ Leya

The Holiday Season is approaching and many of us celebrate at the end of December. But there are many different holidays over a year, and celebrations don’t look the same anywhere. This week we invite you to share some Holiday memories with us! Shared joy is double joy – as we say in Sweden.

Pick any fun and/or happy memories from holidays you enjoyed – your own or others´, at home or abroad – I know they are hiding in your archives! If not – new pictures would be great! You can concentrate on one holiday or on a couple of them. I have chosen Christmas, as it will soon be on our doorstep.

Christmas is one of our major holidays in Sweden, where we engage in our families, play boardgames, bake and eat together, dance and give each other a present or two. In our family, we make rhymes to every parcel. Then, on Christmas Day, some people attend early morning mass.

Here are some family memories:

Making buns for Lucia, December 13, is a must. Before our children moved out, we used to gather family and friends to join in the baking. This is the starting point for the Holiday Season.

It is a common tradition in the south of Sweden to visit our neighbouring city, Copenhagen, to have fun for a day or two around Christmas. They have Tivoli, an amusement park with everything you could wish for! Or we pop over the waters southwards to Poland, where the winter markets often are spectacular, but you can also find small and cozy ones. If we are lucky enough to have snow – so much more fun!

Winter fairs and markets are everywhere, where artists and farmers can sell their work and produce. Most people in Sweden have their winter holiday between December 22 and January 6.

Ever since I was a child, we have made ginger breads – a traditional, fun baking for the whole family. The small children though, tend to eat half of their dough before it reaches the oven…

This year, Myra was old enough to really enjoy baking and decorating them. (And eating them…) Laughter and music, candle light and Holiday Fun together!

A big thank you to Beth for last week’s Wings – a theme that made us come up with lots of beautiful pictures and new creative solutions. Now we are looking forward to learning more about your traditions and Holiday Fun! Please link to my original post and remember the Lens-Artist tag so we can find you in the reader.

Hope to see your joyful posts soon, and until then – stay well and be kind.

Next week, on Saturday, December 13th, we’ll host our annual Last Chance Challenge, inviting you to share any photos you took in 2025 that haven’t been part of our earlier challenges!

123 reaktioner på ”Lens-Artists Challenge #377 – Holiday Fun”

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  37. Christmas is so much better in Europe. Very traditional and the lights make up for the dark nights. We still have traditional food and play board games but I haven’t yet been to the beach on Christmas day!

    Svara

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    • Thank you, Leanne, that’s what makes it interesting – to know about how other countries and people celebrate!
      Merry Christmas to you and yours ♥

      Svara

  56. Coming from the Baltics you make me remember St Lucia’s Day . . . I so remember being about 5 and having the crown of burning (real) candles placed on my head during a St Lucia party! And, at least in Malmo, there is a church concert on the day I just have to look up – Swedish friends at times have sent a copy . . . AND > gingerbread cookies, ‘piparkoogid’ in Estonia > methinks I also began ‘helping’ at Myra’s age . . . oh, memories, memories but you > do have fun!

    Svara

    • And you have so many vivid memories, Eha, and I am glad that you share them! Burning candles are still used, but not with the smaller children. We still choose a Lucia every year in our village, and some young girls still dream of winning!

      Svara

  57. What a wonderful holiday post Ann-Christine. I remember making Chanukah cookies with my boys and my grandchildren. I’d even send some to school for them to share with their class. Your memories are just beautiful.

    Svara

  58. So much festive joy Ann-Christine 😀 Myra is so cute and looks like she is having great fun. I remember my girls at that age being so ”grown up” to be doing things in the kitchen.
    The Christmas lights are quite spectacular

    Svara

  60. Loved your holiday post Ann-Christine, what a fantastic treat to get us into the holiday spirit. I was in Tivoli Gardens a very long time ago traveling while studying abroad. Your images brought back very fond memories (although I’d love to see it at Christmastime!). I am the most envious of your time with your beautiful granddaughter – that image of her looking up to you says it all!! And how fun to have a little one around for the holidays. And to have YOU as grandmother sharing your skills and knowledge. Your heart-warming post really left me smiling, so thank you for that! And Happiest of Holidays to you and yours. My response is here https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2025/12/06/lens-artists-challenge-377-holiday-fun/

    Svara

    • Tina, I knew you had studied in Europe, but I don’t think I knew about Tivoli! Thank you for a wonderful comment that really warmed my heart. Yes, Christmas feels moe fun now that the little ones are here. To see them learn new things and be happy. But a cosy evening by the fire is really my kind of relaxing, and the opportunity to contemplate the year and what I have learned and experienced.

      I am glad my post made you smile – because yours made me smile too – and that is what we need. Happy Holidays to you and yours and may you share many more smiles!

      Svara

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    • Thank you, Beth! My fading interest in the holidays rised again with our grandchildren. I love doing this with them and seeing them discover new things.

      Svara

  65. Lovely festive images, A C, and little Myra looks to be having fun! I wiil probably give this one a miss as I don’t think I can come up with it much

    Svara

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