Last night we went out to buy our Christmas tree. To be honest, I wasn't that excited. I had been lamenting the fact that despite talking about it for the last three Christmases, we still haven't found the place where you can go out into the wilderness and cut down your own. I've heard it exists, but knowing something exists here and finding out just where it exists are two very, very different things.
There are lots of places to buy trees here-- outside grocery stores with garden centers, outside some churches, and at small village fairs. But if you want to save about 40 dollars, you can also buy a tree at IKEA. Last night was the beginning of IKEA's tree sales this season, and that's where we headed.
We had broken most of our drinking glasses, so we had to first walk through the winding path of the store. As we were nearing the stairs we heard singing. It was very soft at first, but then it expanded and filled the room before us and took our breath away.
There must have been thirty or more children of varying ages all dressed in white carrying candles. In the center of this mass of sweet voices was an older girl dressed up as Santa Lucia, her crown of candles blazing bright. The little boys wore cone hats and carried star wands, like the picture for January (one of my favorites, as shown above) from Elsa Beskow's Around the Year. They sang about five songs, including Santa Lucia, and then slowly, still singing, they padded barefoot out of the room and down some mysterious hallway.
It was so unexpected and breath-taking, and it actually brought tears to my eyes. My children had all rushed over to get a closer look, and they came back to where Einstein and I stood, their eyes bright, their faces glowing.
Unexpected joy. At IKEA.
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And... we have a WINNER! I'm pleased to announce that the children have pulled a name out of the hat. We will be mailing off the mobile and chocolates to:
erin said...
Thanks everyone for your lovely comments! Having a giveaway was so much fun, I'm sure we will be doing it again soon.
Until next time, I'm wishing you unexpected joy... you never know where you'll find it!
Glad you had joy at IKEA and yay, I'm so excited to be the winner. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love IKEA. We always get our tree from the forest but this year we didn't. It's so nice to get up there and trek through the snow. It's so peaceful. Well, except for the scary, icy driving conditions! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Erin. Sara, we have now kept our tree in a pot so we can have the same one every year.. the children love watching it grow year by year, soon it won't fit into the house and we will plant it then buy a smaller one. It's hard to find pine where we live. We have a simple Christmas tree. Have a wonderful holiday.
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased to read this. We didn't chop down a tree this year. In fact, only the boys and Papa went to get one from a parking lot. The girls were down with the flu.
ReplyDeleteWe need to catch up. When can I call you?
What an incredible IKEA experience!! That picture is one of my favorites as well. I always want a photo of my boys dressed like that. Have a lovely holiday season~ xox
ReplyDeleteIKEA is a pretty neat place, but your experience was extra special! And congrats to Erin!
ReplyDeleteKyndale, thanks for reminding me about the icy roads. It's all about perspective, isn't it.
ReplyDeleteEarthboysblog, how neat that you have been able to watch your tree grow every year! I wish we didn't move so much... maybe when we finally settle down somewhere we can give that a try.
Cyfaill, call me anytime. I hope your family is feeling better!