In Swedish, St Valentine's Day (14 February) is called Alla Hjärtans Dag = All Hearts' Day. Celebrating this day wasn't introduced in Sweden until the 1960s, though, and it wasn't until 1985 that it got officially added to our calendar.
So special decorations for Valentine's Day was not in the traditions back in my childhood and youth. February is still definitely a winter month here though, which means I usually keep some "Christmas red" in my indoor decorations at least past the mid of this month.
Yesterday, I recalled that I had seen these red hearts in an easily accessible drawer (i.e. not packed away with the Christmas things), so added those to my fake spruce branches; and also put a table runner decorated with hearts on the coffee table.
This afternoon I also went for a walk to the supermarket and bought myself a bunch of red tulips. (No one else is likely to do it!) They're only buds yet, though, so will probably be more photogenic if I wait a day or two.
The weather is also getting more winter chilly again here. No snow on the ground at the moment, but even with a bit of sunshine and blue skies this afternoon, it was still definitely wintry/icy cold, and no real sense of "spring in the air" yet.
I'm prepared for when that feeling hits me, though... Last week, on my outing to the shopping centre across town, I bought myself a new set of kitchen curtains for spring/summer. But I probably won't be putting those up just yet. For now, it's enough to know that they are there in my wardrobe, waiting... 😉💕
Red tulips are very cheerful and will brighten up your home. I don't think Valentines Day is huge here, shops and businesses stock up on products but I wouldn't say loads of people buy the stff.
ReplyDeleteAmy, it's not really "huge" here either. Shops of course use it in ads and displays, but mostly focusing on reminding people to buy flowers and gifts and extra luxurious foods etc.
DeleteI can't wait to see your new curtains!! I love how you put the hearts on the plant, and your pretty cushion and table runner. I did not know Sweden celebrated Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteGinny, it's not a public/bank holiday, and it probably still varies a lot if people take any notice of it at all.
DeleteI have a friend who decorates for almost every holiday! I haven't been to her house to see how valentines are all over. I think your hearts look great! Me, no decorations, but I do have a little heart shaped candy dish in which I put some chocolates, for friends and myself. Romance is a great topic to try to sell products to show each other your love, but I avoid most commercial messages.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I really just use it as an excuse to buy myself tulips... (Most of the year I very rarely buy cut flowers.)
DeleteLive everyday like it is the last day of life
ReplyDeleteAnother classic proverb worth contemplating, Ro.
DeleteValentine's Day as a relatively new thing is the same in Germany, as you probably know. When tens of thousands of US-American military and their families came to Germany in the aftermath of WWII, they brought their traditions with them. It took a while for those traditions to take off, but especially the (back then) younger generation of Germans and of course businesses soon adopted the new customs.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I don't "do" Valentine's Day just as I don't do Halloween, but I am nonetheless looking forward to seeing O.K. tomorrow evening and spending the weekend at his place.
Your "hearty" decoration is sweet and cheerful! Same here about the weather; it's snowing as we speak and temps have dropped quite a bit between yesterday and today.
Meike, it's a rather dull time of year with no other "proper" holidays in sight for a while and I think that has probably helped it grow more popular here too.
DeleteYour heart decorations are sweet. I have never decorated for Valentine's Day, don't do Hallowe'en ,and rarely an Easter branch, but they do look attractive in other people's houses. Enjoy your tulips!
ReplyDeleteJanice, I tend to adjust some decorations in my home a little bit according to the seasons, but usually just by adding/changing a few details.
Deleteyay for the tulips and now how long do I have to wait to see the curtains, I love what you do with the ones you have and waiting to hear which window gets the new curtains. just changing them changes your room completely. hope your weather clears soon.. that little tree is adorable
ReplyDeleteSandra, the new curtains are for the kitchen, and you'll probably have to wait another couple of weeks or so... ;)
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