Guess What I Got In The Mail ?

I was out and about last evening and when I returned home, there was a package at my door. Of course, I came inside and opened it right up !

After removing the shiny tissue, I found a pretty red box .....

And, inside of that was my SECRET ORNAMENT SWAP from Lisa, who happens not to have a blog (but I am sure that the wonderful coordinator will let her take a peek at her's) -

Take a look - it's beautiful.

Lisa enclosed a note -

Merry Christmas! I hope that you enjoy your new Russian ornament. Grandfather Frost is the Russian Santa Claus. He brings gifts to the children at New Year's, which is the most popular Russian holiday celebration. His grand-daughter, the "Snowmaiden", accompanies him to help distribute the gifts.

New Years Eve - December 31st - is the big day for the celebration of Russian Christmas in post-revolutionary, Russia. On New Years Eve Grandfather Frost arrives with his granddaughter the Snowmaiden. They bring bags of candy for the children and Grandfather Frost listens to the girls and boys sing songs and recite poems. After this, he gives small Christmas gifts to the children.

Russians decorate their homes with a Christmas tree and often put pine leaves on their front doors, and in the house. The Russian Christmas tree is usually taken down at the end of January after the feast day of the Baptism of Christ.

"C novom godom!" (snow-vum-gode-um) - meaning "with the New Year" - is a common New Years Eve - Christmas holiday greeting.

With every good wish,

Lisa

What a wonderful ornament and a wonderful explanation of Russia's celebration, too. Thank you very much Lisa and thanks to Julie also, for putting together this Secret Ornament Swap. It was fun and I look forward to doing it again next year !