Every year Norwegians living in the Houston area greatly appreciate the Seamen’s Church in Pasadena to provide them with the Christmas food and the Christmas feeling. Many of the 7000 Norwegians in the greater Houston region celebrate their Christmas holidays in the US. To these families the Seamen’s Church is important for their Christmas preparations. During the Christmas Bazaar, the Church sells all the traditional Norwegian food, goodies and decorations that make Norwegian Christmas special. The store at the Church is expanded to include everything from “pinnekjøtt” to “lutefisk”, so that Norwegians can make their favorite Norwegian Christmas dinner here in Houston. The Bazaar is also a fantastic opportunity for Americans to experience authentic Norwegian Christmas traditions.
The Bakery at the Church made all the seven different Christmas cookies that traditionally are baked in homes across Norway before Christmas. A shop with Christmas decorations from Norway was set up in the Church Chapel, with Trolls and Santas, and even a lady spinning the spinning wheel in the Bunad costume. Both the Silent Auction and the lottery was a huge success, and the organizers were very pleased to see that the visitors enjoyed the Bazaar. As many as 150 people gave a helping hand during the weekend, in the true Norwegian “dugnad” spirit.