Search results will be displayed in a new browser window Be patient, the search widget may be a little slow.
A to Z Index:
Abstract Art Affirmations Aromatherapy Astrology Book of Shadows Butterfly Collection Chakra System Color Healing Coloring Pages December Lore Divination Dog Training Edible Flowers Flat Tortilla Flower Magick Folklore Folk Medicine Gods and Goddesses A to Z Gospel Missionary Message Gypsy Lore Gypsy Magic Herbology Herbs A to Z Higher Powers Historical Gypsy Housebreaking Hypnosis Independent Review January Lore Kitchen Magick Labyrinths Language of Flowers Mandalas Magickal Ingredients A to Z Mantras and Chants Medicine Wheels Meditations Middle of the Night Art Music Therapy Myths and Stories Pagan Calendar Power Boosts Prayers Project Happiness Project Healing Prosperity Project Puppy Training Question of the Day Quotes Reading Tea Leaves Reiki Ritual Magick Runes Sacred Geometry Science of Creative Intelligence Sell Art Online Signs and Symbols Site Map Spells A to Z Sufi Stories Sunday Sermons Superstitions Tarot Wheel of the Year Yin Yang ZenTangles
Giving The Gift
Even the giving of gifts can be a ceremony all of its own. In Sweden and Germany there was a tradition until recently of the julknap, a gift wrapped in layers of paper or cloth. The person bringing the gift would knock at the door and when it was opened fling the package into the house before running off.
This was sometimes used as a means of making a marriage proposal or declaration of love, in which case a golden heart or letter (or even the person making the proposal) was hidden within.
There is a story about a certain Major Jones of Georgia who decided to follow this custom. He climbed into a meal sack suspended from a hook on the porch of his true love's house and spent the night there. However, he forgot the wind - it blew all night and caused the sack to swing to and fro, like the swaying of a ship. As well as seasick tablets he had also forgotten dog repellent and, unfortunately, the house dog paid him close attention throughout the night!
