Russian Traditions

As many of you know, New Year's is a big family holiday for us. Having grown up in the Communist Russia, where religion was not widely practiced, New Year's became the winter holiday everyone embraced. It became a magical time of hope and renewal. It became the time for families to be together, stay up way too late, and feast on all things yummy! A New Year's tree was put up; gifts were exchanged. Father Frost (the Russian version of Santa Claus) visited children, bringing winter and presents with him.

I haven't lived in Russia for the last twenty year (yes, it will actually be twenty years this coming February - impossible for me to believe) but somehow the New Year's tradition was successfully transplanted to my American life. I can't help but look forward to the holiday every year. I look forward the smell of pine and tangerines filling my apartment, to the warm glow of my holiday tree. I become giddy every year. It comes as no surprise that Sasha is absorbing my excitement, learning to look forward to the holiday every year. She believes in Father Frost. She believes that he watches children and brings presents only to those who have been good. In fact, she also thinks that he is the one that supplies all the holiday trees.

According to Miss Sasha Father Frost phones her grandfather and informs him that the tree for his granddaughter is ready for pick up. Deda (grandpa) then picks up the tree and delivers it to Sasha. Complicated, but it works.

Well, this year Miss Sasha must have been extra well behaved because Father Frost brought her two trees - a bigger one for the living room ...

... and a teeny one just for Miss Sasha's room:

Sasha Bear had a blast decorating the trees. In fact, she was so full of holiday cheer that she decided to extend her decorating skills to the rest of her room:

She made the ribbons all by herself. Clearly, she had some help hanging them up. Hmmm... We like the ribbons so much they may stay up for a while...