Joy of julgransplundring
By Sue Ellen Ross Post-Tribune correspondent January 24, 2012 2:00PM
Krissy Pearson of Hammond, Ind., and Clayton Sinwelski of Munster, Ind., remove candy and decorations from the Christmas tree during the annual julgransplundring (Christmas tree plundering) celebration. | Charles Mitchell~For Sun-Times Media
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For more information about both the children’s and
adult groups, call Lynda Smith at 923-8777, or visit online
at www.nordikfolk.com and
www.vasaorder.com.
Article Extras
Updated: February 26, 2012 8:03AM
Emily Pearson, 17, is proud of her Swedish heritage, which is a big part of her life. As a member of the local Nordikids group, she performs at various events and has attended a unique ethnic camp in Minnesota.
The Hammond resident and her family also participate in local events, such as the recent Julgransplundring, or “Christmas tree plundering,” at the Ridge United Methodist Church in Munster.
“The people of Sweden have one last party on Jan. 13 (St. Knut’s Day), which officially ends the holiday season in Scandinavia,” said Lynda Smith, leader of the group. “They sing carols and do ring dances around the tree one last time. After the dancing, the children are allowed to ‘plunder’ the tree, which includes taking all the candy hidden in the ornaments.”
Making these types of ornaments is one tradition Emily and her sisters Jennifer, 15, Melissa, 11, and Christine, 7, and brother Michael, 22, observe each year.
“We wrap tissue paper around cardboard and fill them with small candies, such as mints,” Emily said. “It’s important to keep our traditions alive.”
Jennifer echoed those thoughts, adding that in addition to belonging to the Nordikids and performing, her family also is doing their part by preserving heirlooms.
“We have my great-great-grandfather’s journal and his pocket watch,” she said.
The party was sponsored by the Nordik Folk Lodge No. 761 and Nordikids Scandinavian Culture Group.
“Both groups focus on preserving language and culture,” Smith said. “The children’s group is educational in nature; and the adults not only help with children’s activities from time to time, they also focus on social events for the whole family.”
The lodge is one of 19 lodges in the Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin district, according to Smith. Both the adult and children’s organization is sponsored and chartered by VASA Order of America, which is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Nordic culture.
The two-week stay at the Swedish camp Siolunden is offered to one of the children each year. In addition, Nordikids have sometimes helped with tuition and/or travel expenses for additional children in order to send more than one at a time.
Sofia Nelson, 15, attended the camp two years ago and found the experience more than jut a fun time.
“I wanted to get immersed in the whole experience of it,” the Highland resident said. “It was a little hard to adjust at first — we didn’t speak English at all while I was there — but by the time I left, I felt much more advanced in the Swedish culture.”
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