In Sweden, Christmas “formally” ends on the 13th of January. This is the time we throw out the Christmas tree after and take a way the Christmas decorations. The day was moved from the 6 (or 7, information of both dates occurs) “thanks” to a danish duke, Knut Lavard (1096-1131) who was murdered outside Ringstedt in Denmark on January 7, 1131 by his cousin Magnus. What were they fighting about? Power of course. Both wanted to succeed Magnus father King Nils.

Knut became a saint and when Christmas was prolonged the Knut day was moved from the 7th (or if it was the 6th) with a week (unclear why)

Personally I struggle. Parts of me wants to remove Christmas now (which would have been OK if Christmas hadn’t been prolonged) meaning throw the tree out and tuck the decorations away, while the other part says “No, let’s wait some”. If it’s because it becomes so dark if I do, if it’s the fact that I need to organize the utility room to get to the Christmas boxes, or just the fact that I love Christmas and don’t want it to be over – I’m not sure of.

Today I will clean the oven (so much cleaning going on in my life), that’s the only thing I promised myself.