And that's a Christmas wrap!

The SBSCA closes out its year with a fun Yuletide festivity

Barnas Julefest is a festive holiday tradition at the Leif Erikson Lodge each year. Here you see two young girls, dressed in charming matching outfits, seated next to Santa Claus amidst a cozy backdrop of twinkling lights and beautifully wrapped presents.

A focal point of the room was the beautifully decorated Christmas tree, where there is always singing and dancing.

For many years, it's been a tradition for the SBSCA to close out its year at the Children's Christmas Party, "Barnas Julefest," at the Sons of Norway Leif Erikson Lodge in Ballard. The year 2025 was no exception—and what a festive celebration it was.! From beginning to end, it was pure holiday joy, as children and their families came together to celebrate the season, Norwegian-style.

The Children's Christmas Party at the Lodge is a longstanding tradition that Bernice Chouery took over 30 years ago. Our former SBSCA president and Lodge member wanted to take charge of the event so her daughter and other children in the local community could learn about and enjoy Norwegian holiday traditions. They included a plethora of baked goods, games, music, dancing, and a visit from the Julenisse, the Norwegian answer to Santa Claus. It was a bang-up success.

The Christmas buffet table at Barnas Julefest is all about abundance and Christmas joy,.

Over time, that celebration has become a collaborative effort between the Lodge, the Karmøy Club, and the SBSCA. It is a 100% volunteer effort, a true labor of love for everyone involved. There is an entire culinary crew behind the event, as the food is central to its success. Its Norwegian cookie spread is impressive, and there are open-faced sandwiches, fresh fruit, and the traditional rice pudding.

All of this is displayed on a beautiful, inviting buffet table. The Karmøy Club's Berit Nes and Nicole Brekkaa are always behind the scenes to make sure everything is just right.

In recent years, Bernice has handed over her organizer duties to Lodge members Evelyn Elliot and Kari VanSanford. She can now enjoy more of the party with her daughter and grandson, as three generations of the family celebrate together.

Kari is an elementary school teacher, and she has brought her knowledge and experience from the classroom to this time-honored event. There is a Christmas crafts corner, which gives the children the opportunity to create an ornament or keepsake to take home.

At Barnas Julefest, there was a special learning element: children could enjoy the crafts table, where they could make their own keepsake to take home with their other goodies and gifts.

While all this is going on, parents and grandparents can partake in the smørgåsbord of open-faced sandwiches, cakes, and cookies, enjoy a cup of coffee, and listen to music. There was also a mini storyhour, with a Norwegian tale and the nativity story. What fun it was to read to the children, as they attentively listened, filled with excitement and anticipation!

This year's pianist was the formidable Beth Kollé, an active member of Leif Erikson Lodge and SBSCA.

For several years, I have also had the fun of coordinating the party's music, either playing the piano or singing. This year, I was lucky enough to bring in Beth Kollé, another Lodge member and SBSCA supporter, as our pianist.

She was there with her daughter and two granddaughters, who had recently flown in from their home in Australia.

With Beth's musicality at work, we managed to get almost everyone out of the floor to dance around the Christmas tree.

Then, before we could finish singing "Jingle Bells," the most important guest of the day arrived: Santa Claus (aka Mike Seabeck)! There were presents for everyone, and lots of photos were taken with this jolly old elf, for it's not every day that you get a chance to pose for a picture with Santa.

But the party wasn't over yet, as the children of Barneleikarringen of Greater Seattle, a children's folk dance group that practices at the Lodge, took center stage. Led by Elaine Everitt and Eileen Little, they enchanted their audience with traditional dances from the old country. Soon, all children were invited to join in with their families and friends, and the dance continued.

After a foot-stomping performance by the folk dance group Leikarringen, children and parents took to the floor to join in on the fun and dance along!

An afternoon like this goes by quickly, but fond memories remain throughout the holiday season and the entire year. The beautiful decorations, the delicious food, the music, the dancing, and the warm camaraderie of the volunteers and guests make this day so very special. And then there are the smiling faces and laughter of the children that never fail to melt your heart.

While it's a time of year when many of us adults may feel tired and weary from the frenetic activity of the holiday season, I always leave this party with renewed energy and love of life. It's a longstanding tradition worth keeping, and we look forward to next year.

But for now, from the SBSCA, that's a Christmas wrap! We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

All photos by Lori Ann Reinhall