Today is St Knut's Day in Sweden, the day the Christmas season officially ends. "Tjugondedag Knut" in Swedish, "tjugondedag" meaning the twentieth day after Christmas Eve (which is the day we celebrate Christmas here).
There are quiet a few suggestions mentioned here (in Swedish) and there (in English) regarding the reasons for this being the official end date of Christmas in Sweden, Finland and parts of Norway. Be as that may, today is also the Swedish name day of Knut, making it a perfect reason to spoil any special Knut - like the one above which happens to be a fellow in red - in your vicinity.
If you like to be traditional this is also the day you *should* remove the Christmas ornaments and electrical Advent candlesticks and stars in the windows. Myself I like to keep the lights in my home for quite some time yet, we don't have much natural outdoor light this time of year and these candlesticks both look nice as well as chase the darkness at least a bit away. So my kitchen window will look pretty much the same for a while yet. Though there will be much deserved hibernation for some -
The cute red mushroom Advent candlestick with four - now of course non existing - red candles will be put in a box for next year.
As will Rudolf the reindeer on the wall with his red ribbon and bell,
joined by small red trinkets in flower pots and such. Rest and relaxation for them all. See you all next year ~
36 comments:
Pia, a great collection of Ruby. It was interesting to learn about your traditions. I love the top shot of your cat.
Dear Pia k,
I just wrote about Santa Knut who chases Christmas out before I came to your blog.
Our traditions aren't that different.
Your cat Knut (named like my brother), also much looks like our last cat, Marcello.
He too was fierce, good looking and proud.
We still miss him.
I set up our decorations for first Sunday in advent, and was content to store away 14 boxes of decorations about 13th Day.
Your home looks both cosy and stylish with limited decoration.
I think Knut are doing fine as long as he doesn't climb the garlands.
From Felisol
Is Knut smiling or issuing a warning? He looks tough outside, but a sweetie lying on the tablecloth.
We put everything (except any snowmen decorations) away yesterday, Only 47 weeks away from decorating again!
Alas we don't have a twelfth day custom around here. Yet it is special to have customary event that has been passed down for generations...
I like Knut the cat. He looks like he knows what he likes and what he doesn't like. ;-)
What a nice tradition to keep your holiday treasures out until the middle of January. Many people in Canada put them away before January 1.
It's wonderful having to learn about t Knut's Day through Ruby Tuesday :)
Beautiful red decorations you've got!
Hi, Pia
Firstly, I absolutely adore your cat; particularly in the photo with the red background.
And that advent candle holder is very sweet. I love mushroom motifs.
I feel a lot better about having waited until tonight to dismantle the holiday tree, knowing now what I learned about St. Knut Day and the last day of Christmas in Sweden. My reason, though, is laziness, not tradition!
Beautiful photos as usual.
Thanks, Jan, glad you enjoyed it and loved Knut:)
Felisol, thanks for a sweet and personal comment as always!
Knut is actually meowing, Ralph, he likes to show off a bit when the camera is around. And the one on the tablecloth is his cousin Pelle, both can be sweet (mostly) and fierce (not very often) in a delighful kitty way.
Knut the cat is a special guy indeed, YEGTG:) I guess many Swedes put their Xmas stuff away earlier than Jan 13 too, but I think it's a nice tradition not to be so hasty.
I love learning about your traditions, and your decorations are lovely. I would keep them out as long as possible, too.
Pelle the cat is so cute! I love big cats! And that small trinket was well photographed.
My RT post is here if you want to visit it. I'd be glad if you do. Thanks!
♦ Awesome Ruby Tuesday ♦
That cat is great, cool photos!
You got that red "Rock'en"!!!
♦ mines up here ♦
These are so lovely and festive looking.
I LOVE Knut with the yellow and red rose - what a face!
merci du passage et du commentaire
I'm with you about leaving the lights up as long as possible. But the darkest 6 weeks of the year are behind us, you know. The daylight will return! I do love the puffy kitty photo, where it looks all fat and content, and of course all the beautiful RED decorations. The candles sure were beautiful.
GREAT post! Happy St. Knut Day!
A lovely - and interesting - post, Pia. And, of course, I love those adorable pics of Knut himself. What a boy!
napaboaniya, glad you felt enlightened by your visit:)
Pagan Sphinx - thanks from both kitties, yes they're actually two, one red (Knut) and one cream (Pelle), they're cousins but I'm sure they'd be upset that someone mistakes them for one;) And thanks for a nice, personal comment, as usual!
Thanks for visiting and leaving a sweet comment, MyMaracas!
Thanks, shutterhappyjenn, for swinging by!
what an interesting tradition! I like all the red trinkets you've collected.
Your home looks so beautiful and festive, I don't blame you for wanting to keep it up longer. And Knut himself looks quite chuffed about his name day celebration.
Thanks, Roger, for a rockin' comment!
Ah, thanks, Carletta, Knut is a character of his very own:)
Babylonezoo - thanks for visiting.
I know, Sara C, but for every truly gloomy, dark day it gets a dash bit more difficult to grasp that it's actually getting lighter every day, so I'm grateful for those days of sun and crips cold we've had as lately. And of course fat-looking and content kitties are perfect moodlifters too:)
Knut doesn't look too happy about having his photo taken, but he is a handsome cat! I can appreciate you keeping those lovely lights up. Your decorations are really beautiful and cheery. I've just taken ours down and everything seems so dark and gloomy now without them!
that's good to know!:) i took down mine over the weekend though:) and love that portrait of your cat!:)
Laura, thanks and the same to you!
Thanks, AFoS!
Glad you liked it, Olga!
Robin - thanks for a sweet comment!
Thanks for stopping by, Mary, indeed it will look gloomy when all these reds are put away.
Those red candles are lovely, relaxing, peaceful.
We share this in common: My cat is a gingy tom as well.
Thanks for visiting my blog. Have a wonderful St. Knut's celebration.
your cat makes the most wonderful faces!!
beautiful shots
What wonderful cheerful decorations. I love the reindeer. And Knut - well he is just awesome, though he doesn't strike me as saintly. Happy St. Knut's day to all of you.
Thanks Pia, for all the info about Christmas and the Scandanavian countries. A lot I didn't know! Happy Ruby Tuesday! :)
Hi!
I love your Ruby post! Your kitty is really cute!! Thanks for sharing your traditions! Thanks for stopping by my place. Have a great day!!
Sherrie
I enjoyed reading your post. The photos were great, especially the top one with your cat and the flower.
What a great set of photos!
All very nice, but most of all I love the cat photo at the beginning!
Are you sure Knut and Pelle aren't brothers? ;-)
They look a lot alike.
I liked seeing all of your lovely Christmas decorations. I hated to take ours down. But soon it will be December again. As my husband said, 47 weeks!
This was an interesting and educational post, Pia. I learned about your customs in Sweden. Thanks for that.
Happy Ruby Tuesday ~
Thanks for stopping by, spiCes, glad it was an enlightening visit:)
A Living Nadneyda - thanks! And a belated same to you then:)
Thanks, Dianne!
Raven, thanks! That reindeer I found at a Christmas fair last year (only a few weeks away, but...) and it was instant attraction, glad I invested:)
Thanks for visiting by, Mary T!
Sherrie, glad you enjoyed my post, thanks for coming by!
Thanks, Lisa, glad you enjoyed it.
Jew Wishes, thanks for leaving a kind comment!
Thanks, me ann my camera, for visiting.
Thanks for liking it, Patti. Nope, cousins they are, that much I'm certain of, with fathers that are half siblings:)
Dear Pia K
Finally able to comment on your beautiful Ruby Tuesday.
I have come here a few times to admire that grouchy looking kitty.
He seems just like that Shopping News, not wanting to smile for the camera!
I love your red candles.
Rachel, Betty's daughter loves candles. She has them all over the house.
And she is in an older home so they look just in place.
I hope that it is warm where you are.
Ontario is getting the coldest weather it has had in years.
Ottawa is always freezing and when we used to visit Welland, it was almost like visiting Florida, but this year it would be like visiting the North Pole!..Brrr...
Keep your kitties and your doggie warm Pia K.!....Love Terry
Hi there, Terry, thanks for visiting! Oh here it is rather cold, again, although this time of the year I do appreciate the cold, crisp weather with clear skies much more than the gloomy, mild and always grey one. That's just plain depressing without the sun. Inside it's rather cosy and warm though:)
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