Another Baltic Christmas - Day 5 and the Christmas bazaar!

While living in Chicago I always looked forward to December and the various Christmas tirdziņi that would take place on the weekends. Each of the churches would have a Christmas bazaar one December weekend, and the Latvian School would host theirs on the third Saturday. Although these markets are the perfect place to pick up beautiful handmade gifts, there’s always the lure of tortes and pīrāgi for those already finished with their holiday shopping!

I wish we lived in one of the big Latvian centers because I miss these annual social events. However, all of you readers still have the opportunity to shop (and eat) your way through more than a dozen tirdziņi across the US and Canada! (ok, there are a few in Australia and Europe mixed in too…)

photo source here

Today, December 5^th

Australia (Adelaide): The Latvian Daugavas Vanagi holiday market is today at 1pm (source)

CA (San Francisco): 10am-4pm Baltic Christmas Fair at the Latvian House (source)

CO (Lakewood): 9am-1:30pm Colorado Latvians Christmas bazaar (source)

FL (St. Petersburg): 1pm The Florida Latvian Soviety’s Christmas bazaar (source)

IL (Wood Dale): 9am-5pm The St. Peter's Latvian Lutheran Church bazaar

MI (Kalamazoo): 10am-2pm Kalamazoo Latvian Association European Christmas Bazaar (source)
MN (Minneapolis): 11am-3pm Latvian Ev. Luth. Church Christmas Bazaar (source)

NY (NYC): 2pm NY Estonian House annual Jõululaat (source)

PA (Quakertown): Bucks County Latvian Baptist Church Kringle Christmas Shoppe (source)

PA (Philadelphia): 12-5pm The Latvian Society of Philadelphia’s annual holiday market (source)

WI (Wauwatosa): 10am-3pm Holiday Cookie and Gift Fair (source)

Sunday, December 6^th

BC Canada, Vancouver: 12pm Jõululaat, the Vancouver Estonian Society Christmas Bazaar (source) 
CA (Los Angeles): The South-California Latvian Society hosts the Christmas bazaar in the Latvian House (source)

CO (Lakewood): 11am-1:30pm Colorado Latvians Christmas bazaar (source) 

IL (Chicago): 9am The Latvian Daugavas Vanagi Christmas bazaar (source)

IL (Wood Dale): 11am-1pm The St. Peter’s Latvian Lutheran Church bazaar

MA (Brookline): 12-3pm The Boston Latvian Church Christmas Bazaar (source)

MD (Rockville): 12pm-2pm Washington DC Latvian Lutheran Church annual Christmas Bazaar (source)

NY (Melville): 10:30am The NY Latvian Ev. Lutheran congregation’s annual Christmas bazaar at the Salas Church (source)

OH (Lakewood): 9-11am Hosted by the Cleveland Womens Auxiliary, located at 1385 Andrews Ave.

PA (Quakertown): Bucks County Latvian Baptist Church Kringle Christmas Shoppe (source)

Saturday, December 12^th

Baltimore: 1-5pm Lithuanian Hall Christmas Bazaar (source)

Sunday, December 13^th

IL (Chicago): 9am Chicago’s Ciānas congregation’s annual Christmas bazaar (source)

Saturday, December 19^th

IL (Chicago): The Latvian School of Chicago’s annual Christmas bazaar

IN (Indianapolis): The Latvian Community Center annual bake sale (source) 

Sweden (Stokholm): 1pm The Swedish Latvian Association (source) 

source here

You might have noticed this list is heavy on the Latvian markets, and possibly you can guess why this is… I hope you will chime in with any Baltic bazaars being held in your neck of the woods that I have missed – I will add them as I get them and I thank you in advance for your help! Of course please check original sources for more information/cancellations; I have tried to be accurate but errors do occur, especially with my three assistants buzzing in the background.

Please, shop local and shop thoughtful this holiday season. Supporting the local tirdziņi is a great way to support the local craftspeople who are making traditional Baltic jewelry, textile goods and other handmade products, and not only do you get presents out of the deal, you also get fresh piparkūkas, oftentimes a warm lunch, and the company of other Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians in this very merry holiday season! Cheerful shopping, and welcome back tomorrow on day six of 24 Days of a Baltic Christmas for some delicious Lithuanian Christmas cookies…

Another Baltic Christmas - Day 4, puzuri for kids

The most popular post of last year’s 24 Days of a Baltic Christmas was Inga’s tutorial on day 16: PUZURIS – An enchanting little decoration. The Latvian puzuri can be considered the most widely known traditional Latvian Christmas tree decoration, and besides being popular on Lithuanian and Estonian Christmas trees, the geometric decorations are seeing newfound popularity across the world.

Today a friend of Mikus joins us with a puzuris tutorial: this one more appropriate for little hands as the traditional form utilizes straw - not only difficult to find but hard to come by in our neck of the woods. Check out this video from the Fallon Time Show on how to make your very own puzuri from pasta and twine! (If you are receiving this in email form you might have to click through to the website to see the link, or you can click here to take you directly to youtube.)

A great big thanks to Fallon (and her mom!) for joining us on 24 Days of a Baltic Christmas. I hope she had fun learning about this centuries-old traditional ornament and is proud of the beautiful addition to your Christmas tree!

If you would like to see more of Fallon, please subscribe to her youtube channel The Fallon Time Show. She covers everything from yoga to moon dough to painting with squirt guns! See you back here tomorrow for Day Five of 24 Days of a Baltic Christmas!

Another Baltic Christmas - Day 3, BalticShop gift guide and giveaway

With the holidays fast-approaching, the deadline for ordering gifts from the Baltics to arrive in time for the holidays is just around the corner. While a few large cities have Christmas markets at their local Latvian/Lithuanian/Estonian centers, many of us don’t have the luxury of a local tirdziņš, or we prefer to do our holiday shopping online.

Today on Day three of 24 Days of a Baltic Christmas I’m pleased to have BalticShop joining me with the 2015 Baltic gift guide. As one of the premier importers of Baltic goods into the US, Balticshop is your online source for fine Baltic gifts! Their mission is to offer you a store with goods from the Baltic countries that are hard to find locally but reflect the region's culture, and this year’s catalogue is full of Christmas cards, calendars, cranberries, candy and much more to check off every name on your list.

One of the hardest things to find in the US is a heavy, dark bread similar to the one your grandmother used to make… From rye bread to sourdough, BalticShop has you covered: traditional breads imported straight from Latvia made without preservatives or additives. Available in 2kg loaves as well as in 1lb packages.

There's a lovely jewelry section also. The Light Amber and Multi-Color Amber Memory Wire Wrap Bracelets are one size fits all and made in Rīga, Latvia, from genuine Baltic amber.

Or if you would prefer the amber in your Christmas tree rather than on your wrist, check out these amber ornaments, which come in three different sizes (the large is pictured, see here for small and here for medium).

With bowties back in style you’ll be the hit of the party with these patriotic flag ties. Made of natural linen, the Estonian flag is handmade in Estonia and the Latvian sarkan balt sarkans with traditional designs is handmade in Latvia.

We brought back a few sets of these cookie cutters  from Latvia last year for presents because they weren’t yet available online; it's not surprising that they are one of this year's bestsellers. The set of 4 (Zalktis, Jumis, Auseklis, Krustu krusts) also includes cookie recipes and written explanations of the symbols. Made of stainless steel, they are manufactured in Rīga.

The Latvian folk costume motif coffee mugs and coasters come in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs. My favorite is the Latvian vertical weave mug, although the belt motif mug is a close second, as it reminds me of my bērnības tautas tērps.

For those with a sweet tooth BalticShop features Estonian Kalev chocolate. The Estonia Teater Assortment, the Milk Chocolate with Almonds, the Tallinn Cream Liqueur Chocolates and the Rum Flavored Wafer Chocolates all come highly recommended. Perfect for a hostess gift!

Knitting traditional Baltic mittens and socks may seem a daunting project, but these DIY kits include everything you need to knit your own Estonian wool mittens and Latvian wool socks. Complete with instructions in English.

No matter if you wish to send your holiday greetings in Estonian, Latvian or Lithuanian, BalticShop has a wide variety of Christmas cards in an assortment of tastes.

In addition to jewelry and amber products, BalticShop has a wide selection of books (in English, Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian), music and ceramics – something for everyone on your holiday list that could use a little Baltic flavor this Christmas!

A lucky reader will receive one of the following gifts (your choice) from BalticShop: an EST, LV or LT Eurostyle bumper sticker, a crocheted angel Christmas tree ornament or a beeswax Christmas tree candle, AND $5 BalticShop bucks for their next purchase at BalticShop. To enter please visit the BalticShop website and then comment on this post with your favorite item. Entries will be accepted up until noon EST December 6, 2015 and the winner will be announced on the 24 Days of a Baltic Christmas on December 7^th - at this point the winner will be contacted for choice and shipping information. Thank you to BalticShop for sponsoring this giveaway, and may you find each and every person on your gift list a bit of Baltic cheer!

Another Baltic Christmas - Day 2, Advent

A Baltic Christmas is a complex mix of pagan rituals, religious customs and modern tradition, celebrating not only the birth of Jesus but also the winter solstice. It was in the Latvian capital city of Rīga that the Christmas tree was born as pagan traditions such as the decoration of firs on the winter solstice were incorporated into the Christian holiday. In modern times Latvians still decorate their homes with natural materials: straw ornaments, evergreen branches, junipers and most anything else that can be found outdoors during a Baltic winter.

In addition to Advent calendars to count down the days until Christmas, we fashion an Advent wreath every year to grace our home. Although the concept of the Advent wreath originated in Germany in the 16^th century, it traveled to Latvia with the conversion to Christianity and Lutheranism. Beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas, one candle is lit each week. By the last Sunday all four candles are lit; many Advent wreaths include a fifth candle in the center which is lit on Christmas Eve.

Making an Advent wreath is really a simple yet beautiful way to help count down the days until Christmas, as well as bring some of the splendor of the outdoors this time of year into your home. There are many options ranging from completely DIY to decorate-it-yourself, and once you’ve collected the materials needed, the wreath really makes itself.

The time spent outdoors searching for beautiful things to weave into our wreath is as valuable as the effort the boys put into the construction. Over the years we’ve tried a variety of different methods for the base; ranging from the wire frame with adjustable clamps which works well with thick branches, to the simple frame for a more horizontal display, to the all-natural vine-wreath. The wire frame is possibly the hardest to work with as it is meant for use in a special wreath-making piece of equipment and requires pliers and patience, while the simple frame isn’t as durable and can’t be hung upright. I most often use the wire frames when working with holly* as each clamp will hold a multitude of branches and the result doesn’t need to be filled out.

My favorite option is to make our own base from grapevines, since we have them growing in the backyard and it allows for a lot of flexibility, repositioning and imagination. Really, any type of vine could be used (except watch out for poison ivy!), as long as it is flexible. Take a long piece of vine and form a circle the size of your desired wreath, fastening with a small piece of string or florist wire, then continuing to wrap the vine around, tucking the end in to secure it. Keep adding additional sections of vine until you have reached your desired thickness; a skinny base will result in a skinner wreath, a thicker base in a shaggier product. Vine wreaths are available at most craft stores, and the same base can be used again year after year as long as you’ve taken all the old stuff out after the holidays.

Next we continue with an evergreen for our base layer, whatever we have abundant and available. This year some large pines down the street from us were sheared, the trimmings perfect for our needs and easy to carry home with us on the way back from picking Lauris up from school in the afternoons. Many Christmas tree vendors will give away the branches trimmed from the bottom of the tree for free (or you may even have the branches from the bottom of your Christmas tree). Trim these into manageable pieces and stick the ends into your base, working your way around. When you’re satisfied, clip off any stray ends – that is if you prefer a more uniform result.

Next tuck in your ornaments: a bunch of holly*, pine cones, dried weeds, evergreens of different types and textures. Cones, acorns and other seeds can be attached with florist’s wire, and little finishing touches such as bells or dried orange slices can add more color and variety. I usually orient all the branches in the same direction until I get to the decorations, highlighting the differences in color and texture by placing them in a contradicting flow. The trick is to use materials that will generally hold their shape over the next four weeks; fresh leaves will wilt, and although the result might also be beautiful be aware it will look different in a week than it does upon finishing. Even holly will wither, although if your entire wreath is not constructed of the same material this will not matter as much. Another reason to utilize a vine base; as time progresses you can switch out wilted branches for fresher materials. 

Continue adding to your wreath until you’re satisfied with your result, or until materials, time or patience run out! A piece of twine can be tied on to hang the wreath if you’re not using as an Advent wreath, and a few clippings from your rosemary or lavender shrub will nicely complement the evergreen aroma. A big red bow might nicely tie it all together, or a string of battery operated lights if not using with candlelight as an Advent wreath.

Wishing you all a happy first Advent, and please join us tomorrow for the third day of the 24 Days of a Baltic Christmas with a Baltic gift guide and giveaway sponsored by BalticShop!

*Please remember holly is extremely sharp, and holly berries as well as many other winter berries are poisonous; as little as two or three can cause severe symptoms in children and pets.

----------------------

Please visit the Lithuanian website Mano Namai for more ideas on how to form the base of your wreath, including utilizing straw or even newspaper - Kaip pasigaminti advento vainika (how to make an advent wreath). 

And here on the Latvian website kasjauns.lv you can find an article (in Latvian) on the meaning of the four candles in an Advent wreath - Daudzi nemaz nezina, ko īsti nozīmē 4 sveces Adventes vainagā. Izskaidrojam! (Many don't know what the 4 candles in an Advent wreath signify. We explain!)

Another Baltic Christmas - Day 1

Welcome to your Baltic Christmas on Femme au Foyer!

After 24 Days of a Baltic Christmas received so many positive comments last year, I’ve decided to continue the series this year albeit with a slight variation.

Last year’s countdown to Christmas was a showcase of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian holiday food, crafts and traditions. Baltic authors such as Zinta Aistars, Marika Blossfeldt, prof. Guntis Šmidchens and Elga Ozols joined us with Christmas memories, stories and recipes, while bloggers Marianna, Daina, Heather, Tania and Imanta shared family holiday traditions, new and old.

This year’s countdown is intended to be a guide to creating your very own Baltic Christmas: how to make Baltic-inspired crafts, food and memories. Inspired by posts from last December such as Lelde’s whimsical snowballs, Sandra’s delicious zaķu austiņas, Inga’s DIY puzuri guide and piparkūkas recipes, I’ve enlisted the help of some very capable friends in simple ways and fun crafts to bring a Baltic Christmas to your home every day until Christmas. Please join me in the 2015 version of 24 Days of a Baltic Christmas!

-------

Follow #24DaysofaBalticChristmas with @FemmeFoyer on twitter. Tvīt, tvīt!

You can also follow the 24 Days of a Baltic Christmas board on pinterest…

Follow Liene's board 24 Days of a Baltic Christmas on Pinterest.

And as always, you may sign up for the posts to be delivered directly to your inbox on http://femmeaufoyer2011.blogspot.com. (Look for the box on the right hand side that says 'follow me'!)