Day 352: Old Friends

When you are unpacking and putting out your holiday decorations, does it ever feel like you are getting reacquainted with old friends? It always does for me. Every year as I am unpacking our Christmas decorations, there is a bubbling excitement as I unwrap each ornament and decoration. There are always those decorations that I remember well and can't wait to get out. And then there are always several more that I've forgotten all about and when I come across them it feels like I'm saying hello to a friend I haven't seen in, well, a year. The friendships become instantly rekindled and all is well again.

I love decorating for the holidays. All of the sparkling lights, the glowing candles and the colorful and whimsical little tomte gubbar (little Santas) sitting about make our home feel so warm, cozy and inviting. If I could have my way I would start decorating as soon as the darkness starts to envelop Sweden in November and leave everything out until Valentine's day. Okay, I may be exaggerating a bit but I really do love having all of our old friends sitting out around us. It feels festive and yet comfy like  sitting on the couch in my favorite winter pajamas with a hot cocoa to warm my soul.

What are your favorite things about Christmas? Do you feel a giddy excitement as you decorate your home for the holidays? Another thing I want to do this year that I've never done before is to make my own homemade caramels. I came across a recipe that seems fairly simple (I hope I am not being overly confident) and straight forward and doesn't seem like it will take the entire evening. My husband disagrees and in all fairness he is probably right, though I am going to do it anyway. I'll let you know how it went tomorrow!

Here are some of my old friends...  and one new friend...

Toys... I love these little collapsible figures. I had a Donald Duck one when I was a kid and he is still somewhere around here. 

My husband has had these adorable figurines since he was a kid. I just love them... don't you?

Bönderna, or the farmers... I caught kitty licking the cracker on day. We'll see how long it lasts...

I don't remember where this guy came from. My brother may have made him? I stole him from my parents house. Don't judge me, you know you've stolen things from your parents too.

We have the taller, skinnier version of this little guy too. They make a cute pair.

Tomtegubbe... I have love this little guy since the day my husband gave him to me. Isn't he fun?

Lilla flicka (small girl) from Denmark... our newest friend... a gift from one of my husband's sisters.