The theme of our Winter Program from Dec 22nd to Dec 26th was “A Nordic Christmas”.
On Dec 22nd, we baked Christmas cookies. The older students read the recipe and mixed all the ingredients. They did a great job. We made many cookies; even the younger students could use cookie cutters well to make beautiful cookies. Some children made their own cookie shape out of dough. The finished cookies tasted so good, too!!!
On Dec 24th, we made a simple Christmas tree with cardboard. It’s common in Nordic countries to hang simple decorations on Christmas trees.
Then Christmas Day, all the children came to school with a huge smile. Everyone told us what they had gotten from Santa, and some of them even brought their Christmas toy to show us. (That means they all were good boys and girls this year!!!!) Also on Christmas Day, as it is a Swedish tradition, we watched a Donald Duck movie (Kalle Anna – The Swedish Christmas tradition) with a nonalcoholic version of a Finnish Christmas drink called Glögi. To make it, the students cut apples and peeled oranges, and then heated those in grape juice. At first they said, “Hot juice?!?” But they ended up drinking a lot because it was so tasty.
On Dec 26th which was the last day of 2025 for us, everyone made a 2026 calendar with a Dalama horse (A Dalahäst). This horse is believed to bring good luck.