Christmas came early to New York, with all three Scandinavian churches opening their doors for Christmas fare during the same weekend.
It’s the time of the year again, time to stock up on Christmas items. What better place to do so than by visiting the Scandinavian Christmas fairs in New York City?
The Norwegian Christmas Fair is open from November 18-20, the Swedish from November 19-21 and the Danish, in Brooklyn, from November 19-20.
At each Christmas fair you can eat Christmas food, buy crafts and gifts, stack up on tomtar and enjoy glögg and a light meal. Nordstjernan visited the Swedish Christmas Fair.
Volunteers Monica Oscarsson and Mona Johnsson sold Christmas linen. "I either spend Christmas in Sweden or in Florida under a palm tree," said Mona. "Christmas was more important when I was a child, and my father was Santa. But it's beautiful time and it's nice that people are happy!" Monica said food was Christmas' most important ingredient. "I don't believe in either 'tomtar eller troll'," she said.
Bert Alexandersson also volunteered selling candy. "I feel a lot of gratitude towards the Swedish church and especially Lena (Fleischmann). For me Christmas doesn't mean much. It just so happened that Christmas Eve is my birthday."
Johanna Lillpers, owner of Vyssan Lull, sold ecological children's clothing from Sweden and Denmark. "My husband and I and our little daughter celebrate a Swedish Christmas, but I'm a bit on the fence with Santa, I don't think we'll have a Santa. I also said 'let's not have too many presents'. You really don't need all that stuff."
Monica Lee, assistant at the Swedish Church (creator of the 'kanelbullar' we all crave for), and photographer Michael Skoglund, enjoyed a "fika" in the middle of the opening chaos. "I'll have to sleep over here at the church tonight," said Monica. "There's not enough time to go home and come back tomorrow morning again."
Karin Johansson, assistant at the Swedish Church, preparing a plate of Christmas food in the basement area said her first Christmas fair was "hectic". "But the church is closed Monday, so we'll take it easy then!"
Ulla-Britta McCarthy also volunteered: "I've done it for many, many years. I'm also a member of the church. Me and my American husband celebrate Christmas both Swedish and American. I think Christmas is both fun and important, but no, I don't believe in Santa Claus!"
