Category: Weird

I never really thought of this tradition as weird, but when reading the view of an outsider, it makes me question what normal really is. Props to  the Disney company for managing to enslave and indoctrinate a whole nation, making Donald Duck synonymous with Christmas. Who would have thought it to be possible?!

Three years ago, I went to Sweden with my then-girlfriend (now-wife), to meet her family and celebrate my first Christmas. As an only partially lapsed Jew, I was not well-versed in Christmas traditions, and I was completely ignorant of Swedish customs and culture. So I was prepared for surprises. I was not prepared for this: Every year on Dec. 24 at 3 p.m., half of Sweden sits down in front of the television for a family viewing of the 1958 Walt Disney Presents Christmas special, “From All of Us to All of You.” Or as it is known in Sverige, Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul: “Donald Duck and his friends wish you a Merry Christmas.”

Read the rest of the article here.

From All of Us to All of You, I wish you a Merry Christmas!

(Thanks for the link Jonas)

Not sure what to make of this, but I’m thinking I must have missed this growing up. Either that or I was just a decade or so late to the scene….

Sweden – land of enchantment, land of freedom, where you are about to see things you just don’t see at home. In America you don’t see beautiful girls bouncing boldly out of the sauna into the snow. In America you don’t see public pornography shops where erotic books are displayed – for both sexes, with government approval. In America you won’t see meter maids who wear uniforms by day and nothing by night….

No wonder Americans have a slightly skewed view of what Sweden’s like……