Preparing for Christmas.

The children on Sandsøy was in charge of the Christmas Tree Lighting this year. We met several times to make Christmas decorations as well as prepare for the big day. Below are many photos from the gatherings we had.

Rebecca and Barbara working on stars made of twigs and twine. We glued Christmas decorations on and spray painted them gold or silver. The children brought some home and we sold all of the rest.

The older kids would help the younger ones with the activities. Glue gun was a popular activity.

Veronica is helping Marcus. Gabriel in the background.

This day we met at Kari and Kolbjørn's house to cut and glue. It was a very stormy day, but the kids had a break outside anyway and hot chocolate and waffles for lunch.

The next time we met, we started decorating the community house to prepare for the big day. Here are beautiful snow flakes being hung up. Again, the big kids helped the smaller ones. Marte (7th grade) is helping Jonas (4th grade).

We had lots of pine cones (and stars) that needed to be spray painted. A mighty popular activity with the kids. Jonas got these cones all golden.

Veronica and Sigrid made the poster that invited the community to come and participate in the Christmas Tree Lighting. We hung it up at the little market on Sandsøy.

Another busy day at the community house. This day was dedicated to making ginger bread cookies. With lots of kids and adults hopefully coming, we had to make many, many ginger bread cookies. Barbara and Rebecca with the rollings pins.

After baking, decorating!

Looking good! :-)

Gingerbread women, men, stars, pigs, reindeer and hearts. Hearts is a very important element in the Norwegian Christmas celebration.

The big night. Everyone is dressed up and waiting for the caroling to start. The unlit tree in the background. Sigrid in red coat and Veronica next to her.

Finally, the tree is lit.  We had to have a smaller tree so it wouldn't blow away in the storms over the Christmas Holiday. The Tree was placed outside the community house.

We had some surprising guests appearing.

Tone who was the main organizer of the event with their youngest daughter, Matea.

The Christmas Tree Lighting night went really well. The kids sold coffee, cakes and raffle tickets. They were also in charge of serving coffee and cleaning up afterwards. We collected lots of money that we will use on activities through the winter. Here is from the left Rebecca, Barbara, Sigrid and Marcus counting the money at the end of the event.