Remember to leave a sheaf on the doorstep

There is an old tradition in Norway of leaving a sheaf of wheat or oats outside on the doorstep after the harvest. There are many versions of why they do this, but I like the one that argues that even the birds need to eat during the winter. This explanation seems very Nordic.

Nordic decorations at Christmastime are made from natural materials found in their everyday lives; straw, tree branches, pinecones, things they can gather from their yards and on their nature walks.

Weaving straw ornaments feels similar to making keychains out of plastic lanyards at summer camp. It’s thick and difficult to work with and you have to force it to keep its shape. I’m sure I’m doing it wrong, but I couldn’t find any tutorials online. Perhaps a native will take pity on me and send me some instructions? 

Either way, I tried my hand at it and ended up with the exact same shape as a plastic lanyard I made at camp decades ago. I suppose the muscle memory was still there. It turned out nice, though. I’m calling it an icicle and hanging it on my tree in triumph.

Straw crafts are not for the feint of heart. These ornaments require some serious hand-eye coordination, and most are much more complicated than the one I attempted to create. I’m sure making these every year would keep your mind sharp as a tack.

What did I learn from this?

Bring nature inside this holiday season. You’ll be surprised by the unexpected benefits.