Christmas Doll 1961
Some 50 years ago, my most ardent Christmas wish was to receive a doll from Joulupukki (Santa Claus). Christmas Eve, nestled under the tree, I found four gifts that had my name neatly printed on them. One of them appeared to be just the right length and width to hold a soon to be prized doll. I never questioned where any of these packages came from and early on I had concluded that obviously their origin was Korvatunturi (North Pole).
It was customary for my family to celebrate the Eve with a traditional Finnish meal followed by the opening of gifts. I decided to leave the possible doll gift to the very last. I don't know whether it was to prolong the anticipation or whether it was to put off possible disappointment. Instead, I put all of my attention on the largest gift first; a plastic bowling set with 8 pins and two black balls. Next I opened a flat box that had a beautiful hand mirror, brush and comb set. The third gift was a lovely flannel pajama dress in pastel colours.
The excitement was great when I finally tore at the Christmas wrapping on the last box. There she was the most beautiful doll I had ever seen. She was about 17" tall with long brown hair and sparkly blue, dark lashed eyes that closed when I lay her down and opened when I sat her up. She was wearing a pretty pink and white dress with little white shoes. A tiny see-through plastic purse was attached to her hand with scotch tape and inside there was a tiny pink mirror, comb and brush set just like mine. She even had a pretend lipstick in her set. However, the greatest surprise of all was what was in the bottom of the box. My mother had helped Joulupukki (Santa) and had knit a beautiful beige and red Nordic sweater and leotard set, a scarf, a hat and even mittens with a string so she would not lose one or the other.
The doll now sits in a place of honour on a shelf in my china cabinet having seen more of the world than one would think possible for a doll. Her pale plastic skin is a bit stained, one of her eyes sometimes get stuck closed when I sit her up and her once luscious, shiny hair has been shampooed, brushed and cut once too often. Yet I must admit she has aged with grace and still holds on to a piece of my heart. I predict she will look just as great when she celebrates her 100th birthday in 2061.
It was customary for my family to celebrate the Eve with a traditional Finnish meal followed by the opening of gifts. I decided to leave the possible doll gift to the very last. I don't know whether it was to prolong the anticipation or whether it was to put off possible disappointment. Instead, I put all of my attention on the largest gift first; a plastic bowling set with 8 pins and two black balls. Next I opened a flat box that had a beautiful hand mirror, brush and comb set. The third gift was a lovely flannel pajama dress in pastel colours.
The excitement was great when I finally tore at the Christmas wrapping on the last box. There she was the most beautiful doll I had ever seen. She was about 17" tall with long brown hair and sparkly blue, dark lashed eyes that closed when I lay her down and opened when I sat her up. She was wearing a pretty pink and white dress with little white shoes. A tiny see-through plastic purse was attached to her hand with scotch tape and inside there was a tiny pink mirror, comb and brush set just like mine. She even had a pretend lipstick in her set. However, the greatest surprise of all was what was in the bottom of the box. My mother had helped Joulupukki (Santa) and had knit a beautiful beige and red Nordic sweater and leotard set, a scarf, a hat and even mittens with a string so she would not lose one or the other.
The doll now sits in a place of honour on a shelf in my china cabinet having seen more of the world than one would think possible for a doll. Her pale plastic skin is a bit stained, one of her eyes sometimes get stuck closed when I sit her up and her once luscious, shiny hair has been shampooed, brushed and cut once too often. Yet I must admit she has aged with grace and still holds on to a piece of my heart. I predict she will look just as great when she celebrates her 100th birthday in 2061.
(click photo for larger image)
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