Julenisse, Norway’s version of Santa Claus, made an early stop in Montgomery Sunday, Dec. 1.
Sons of Norway Polar Star chapter 5-472 members celebrated Juletrefest, a traditional Nordic Christmas, with its annual December meeting at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Montgomery.
The family event featured a potluck luncheon, tree trimming, a visit from Julenisse who passed out gifts to kids, group singing around a yule tree, a cooky-baking (julebaking) contest, adult gift exchange and cooky auction with proceeds donated to Sons of Norway Foundation.
Parents or caregivers brought gifts with their child’s name attached so the Julenisse knew the recipients.
Julebaking is a Polar Star fun tradition. Members were invited to enter a cooky-baking contest by preparing three dozen cookies in advance. Guests judged the cookies by tasting and voting with tickets for small donations. After president Johnson auctioned tins of cookies, proceeds were donated to the Sons of Norway Foundation.
An adult gift exchange concluded the party.
For more information, call 630-553-7389 or visit polarstarlodge.com/5.html.
—Al Benson