Christmas in Denmark

Glaelelig Jul!

Advent, and Saint Lucia

Usually guests are invited to join in the lighting of the candles on each of the Sunday celebrations. The adults enjoy a special drink prepared with red wine, raisins and spices, while the children delight in sweet fruit juice. Small cakes cooked in a special pan over the fire, and dusted with sugar round out the menu for Advent Sunday.

Advent calendars are also popular, and can be found in nearly every home during Christmas in Denmark. Those we are familiar with in America include the paper ones, with pictures representing elements of the season under each of the 24 windows. There are also many other varieties available, from the simple, to the incredibly ornate.

Some families make their own advent calendars. Usually, these beautiful creations have hooks attached, one for each day from December 1 through Christmas eve. Small presents are hung from the hooks, and may be simple toys, a piece of candy, or a small token or symbol of the season.

Another popular tradition of Christmas in Denmark is the use of "calendar candles." These are tall, thick candles, with 24 equal segments marked into the wax. The candle is lit each evening, and burned down to the next marking... When the candle is finished, so is the waiting!

Preparations - Christmas Baking!

Each classroom has its own tree, as well as one for the entire school. The children also spend time in class making decorations for these trees, as well as for the town's Christmas tree!

During the morning of the last day of school before the Christmas break begins, each classroom hosts its own Christmas party. Then, just before school lets out, there is an assembly, complete with the singing of carols and telling of Christmas stories around the school's main tree. Julemand (who is a cross between Father Christmas, the German Weimachtemann, and Santa Claus) arrives, bearing small gifts for all of the children! Christmas in Denmark is celebrated everywhere!

At home, preparation for Christmas in Denmark begins with a thorough cleaning. Everything in the house is cleaned, and the yards and barn get a once-over as well. The good dishes are brought out and made ready for several holiday feasts as well. Up to this point, celebrations are similar to those in Sweden and Norway.

In Denmark, it is believed that if a guest leaves your home without being fed, they take the Christmas spirit with them when they go. So, Christmas in Denmark is known for the amount of cooking and baking done by its residents to ensure that the Christmas spirit stays alive, well and in each home!

Many, many sorts of cookies, cakes and pastries are made each year. Brune Kager, brown sugar Christmas cookies, similar to gingerbread, are on everyone's baking lists. Another favorite is Kleiner - which are long, thin butter cookies that are tied into tight knots and deep-fried to a scrumptious golden brown (and sometimes served dusted with a little powdered or cinnamon-sugar) - mmmm!

Marzipan is another hallmark of Christmas in Denmark. This almond paste can be molded or formed into any shape the imagination can dream up. It can also be colored or painted, and when finished is a very fine facsimile of whatever object it is created to represent.

One of the favorite treats associated with Christmas in Denmark is the Christmas pig. Pigs have always been an important part of the lives and commerce of the Danish people, and are considered to be good luck.

Marzipan is also very versatile for edibles. Not only is it molded and painted to form edible decorations, but it also forms the center of many a candy treat when dipped in chocolate

(The marzipan pigs are also sometimes coated with rich, dark chocolate!). It can be used to frost and or fill cakes, as well.

Plates of home-made baked goods are often prepared as the baking continues, for friends, relatives, and for those who will not be able to participate in the normal celebrations of Christmas in Denmark.

Preparations - Decorating

Every nook and cranny of the house is decorated for Christmas in Denmark, and there are special traditions about decorating outdoors as well.

The entire family usually takes one day together to do all of the repairs and cleaning of decorations, as well as to make new ones each year. It is called the "cut and paste day." Sometimes, cut and paste day is a party as well, and others are invited to join in the cleaning and crafting! (Of course, there are always plenty of those tasty Danish treats to go around, too!)

Some of the favorite decorations to make include woven paper hearts, paper chains, wall-hangings and garlands of small Danish flags. Danes are very patriotic people, and there is always room for a few more flags, during Christmas in Denmark and just about every other time of the year, too!

Greenery is popular, and evergreen boughs, mistletoe and holly are tucked in here and there, and just about everywhere. Small "nisser", or gnomes, peek out from door and window frames, behind the bookshelf, and anywhere else. These small figures are also quite popular throughout the country. It just wouldn't be Christmas in Denmark without them!

Of all the decorations made for Christmas in Denmark, hearts and Danish flags are by far the most popular. They can be found in every town and city in the public decorations, and in nearly every single home.

Real greenery is wound 'round lamp posts and along fences. Huge red hearts are strung across many streets and roads. Flag garlands are everywhere, indoors as well as outside. Small flags are also used as decorations on tables and even on food items.

Little Christmas Eve

Christmas plates (more under "Other Traditions") were filled to the brim with cookies, breads, cheese and other foods for the servants of the household each year. Because these plates were better than anything the servants had otherwise, they became highly prized, and were hung on the walls throughout the year, to be taken down and used at Christmas time.

The final touches are put on the decorations, a last touch up to the cleaning, and the rest of the baking is done on this day as well. Now, all that is left is to celebrate!

Christmas Eve

Early in the morning the children set out a sheaf of corn, wheat, barley or oats for the birds. It is tied high on a post with a red ribbon. It is thought that the more birds that come to feed on the sheaf, the better the family's fortune will be in the coming year.

Pets and livestock are given special treats and extra rations for Christmas in Denmark as well, and extra care is taken to make sure that they are clean and contented.

Later in the morning, relatives begin to arrive for Christmas eve church services and dinner.

At 4 pm, the church bells begin to ring, letting everyone know that its time to close up shop, get home, and get dressed for service. Schools and businesses close for the holidays. Everyone rushes home and gets ready to go to church. Mother puts the goose in the oven, and sets things up for the final preparations for Christmas dinner, and off everyone goes.

At 5 pm, church services begin. The churches are all decorated with greenery and flowers. Candles are everywhere - Christmas in Denmark is a 'festival of lights.' Services are usually kept rather short on this day, as the clergy know that there are many a goose cooking in the oven. They learned a long time ago that causing Mother to burn the Christmas goose was a "bad thing!"

After church, the first thing to be done is set out the large bowl of porridge for julenisse. He is a barn gnome, responsible for the safety and well-being of the livestock, the farm, and even the family. The porridge is usually placed either in the attic, or in the barn loft, favorite hiding places of the little sprite.

Next, a candle is lit in the front window, to guide passers-by to a home where they would find themselves welcome to come in from the cold, dark night and be warmed and fed. In homes where there are small children, the candle is also used to guide Julemand to the house to deliver his gifts for them.

Finally, with the last of the preparations out of the way, dinner is served. The main course is usually roast goose, though it can also be roast pork or even venison. Small Danish flags are always added as decoration before the main course is set on the table.

Caramelized potatoes, red cabbage, pickles, jellies and all sorts of other home-made condiments round out the Christmas eve dinner menu.

Dessert is usually a rum pudding, apple crumb cake, or a sweeter and better tasting replacement for the rice porridge (which is usually served before the main course - if at all these days).

After dinner, the family sings a special song of praise to Mother, for all the good things she makes and all the wonderful things she does. The Christmas story is read out of the family Bible to all who are present.

Then, while Mother clears the table, Father and the older children go into the closed room where the Christmas tree is, and light the candles.

The tree in Danish homes is always a fir - never a pine. It sits in the center of the room, and is lit by red or white spiral candles alone.

Electric lights on the Christmas tree are considered by many to be in poor taste. Christmas in Denmark is full of tradition.

When all of the dinner chores are done, the entire family gathers around the Christmas tree to sing carols and dance. Sometime during the singing, Father slips out, and returns a few minutes later, dressed as Julemand, complete with his sackful of presents.

He, of course, inquires as to whether there are any good children there, and after receiving a resounding "YES!" from all concerned, gains the promises of continued good behavior through the next year, and then distributes the presents.

While the children are busy playing and admiring their gifts, Father again slips out, and returns as himself after a short time, to join the family in opening the rest of the gifts from under the tree. He usually distributes these as well, though sometimes he will delegate this task to one of the children.

Each member of the family also receives a paper cone from the tree which is filled with small candies. It is usually the last gift handed out, and when the candies are finished, the cones are hung back on the tree for the rest of the holiday season.

The rest of the evening is for relaxing. The candles on the tree are extinguished, and the tree is moved into a corner. Cookies, cakes, pastries and coffee are already waiting.

Now is the time that most Danish families open and read their Christmas cards... they have been collected as they arrived, and are usually all opened at once, and passed around the room for all to admire.

Christmas and Second Christmas in Denmark

The house is again given a quick going-over in preparation for company.

A "cold table" is set, buffet style, and replenished throughout the day until bedtime. There are, of course, left-overs from yesterday's dinner. In addition, there are meatballs, herring and shrimp. One or more pork dishes usually make this table, as well as cheeses, breads, cookies, salads, crackers and sweets of all sorts.

Second Christmas in Denmark is on December 26. This is another visiting day. Usually, one side of the family is visited on Christmas day, the other side today. Or, those who paid calls yesterday, will be home to receive them today.

Theaters re-open this day as well, and host lavish Christmas productions. The Folketeatret in Copenhagen has entertained the masses with a production of "Christmas in Noeddebo" every single December 26 since 1888. It simply would not be Christmas in Denmark should this theater host a different show on this date...

After Christmas

The New Year celebrations on December 31st include traditional meals as well. Often, boiled cod with mustard sauce, pork loin, and white cabbage in cream sauce are the main dishes, along with the rest of the baked goods from Christmas. The tree is re-lit on this night, and it is a day for games and more parties.

At 6 pm, the Queen gives her annual address, and the family gathers around the television to watch. Later, at 7:30, the Prime Minister gives his address as well, and then it is time for more festive affairs.

Church bells wildly ring in the New Year, and some towns sponsor fireworks shows at midnight. Then there is the usual New Year's toast, and finally everyone is off to bed for the night.

Christmas in Denmark officially ends on January 5th, the eve of Epiphany. Three candles are lit on this night, one for each of the three wise men who traveled so far to honor the birth of the baby Jesus.

The tree is dismantled, and set out in the yard - re-decorated with offerings for the birds. Decorations come down, and are stored until next year. The china is again cleaned, and packed away. And thus ends Christmas in Denmark.

Other Traditions of Christmas in Denmark

All plates are done in the traditional white and blue (standing for purity, and heaven and Mary, respectively).

These plates have told the history of Denmark... For instance, one plate in 1944 protested the Nazi occupation of Denmark. Each time a new plate is produced, its theme is a major theme for that year for the country.

Molds for these plates are broken every year on Christmas eve, ensuring that the limited edition collector's plates will never again be exactly reproduced.

Another tradition associated with Christmas in Denmark is the production and sale of Christmas seals. This begin in 1903, with a man named Einar Holboell. He was busily sorting mail, when the idea came to him that a special stamp could be produced and sold to promote the TB hospital. He garnered the support of many prominent citizens, as well as government backing.

The first Christmas seal featured a picture of Denmark's Queen Louise. Each year, a new design is chosen. Some have been created by school children, some by government workers, others by businesses and private citizens, and one even by the royal family!

The 1927 seal featured a portrait of Einar - it was the year he passed away.

By 1904, Christmas seals were for sale all over Denmark. In the first year, over 4 million seals were sold, raising over $18,000.00 to support the hospitals. Soon, Norway and Sweden were also selling the seals.

In 1907, Jacob Riis, a New York resident, brought the custom of selling Christmas seals to New York. In 1910, the National Tuberculosis Association took over the sale of the seals.

Today, more than 45 countries annually sell Christmas seals!

Weinerbrod translates to "Viennese bread". Americans call these small delicacies "danish". What happened was that near the turn of the 20th century, bakers throughout Denmark went on strike . To fill the needs of the people, Viennese bakers were hired to provide commercial baked goods.

Among the treasures they introduced to Christmas in Denmark was a sweet bread, with butter folded into the dough. This technique was unknown at the time. So, when the bakers of Denmark went back to work, the experimented with the technique until they came up with their own version... And... then they took it a few steps forward again!

People loved the new pastries so much that now they are recognized throughout the entire world! They are a mainstay on the sweets tables during Christmas in Denmark.

Yule Tree Fests were originally town-hosted Christmas parties. They were often held at the town hall one evening during Christmas week - the week between Christmas and New Years eve. Everyone in the town was invited, and food and refreshments were always served. It was a party very similar in style to what Christmas eve was at home - except that it was for everyone.

Everyone would join hands around the town's main Christmas tree, dancing and singing the evening away. Later, an orchestra or other band would play, and 'regular' dancing was enjoyed by all. Punch, sweets and fruits were served, and everyone in town got a small box of candy to take home after the party.

Now, individual groups and organizations have taken over the hosting of the Yule Tree fests during Christmas in Denmark. Many employers host one for their employees, who bring their families and join in the fun after work.

Hans Christian Andersen

His tales all take place in his beloved Denmark, many in Copenhagen. He'd left home as a very young man to make his way there, but nearly starved. Finally a scholarship was arranged for him to enter a state grammar school, and his interest in writing began to blossom.

In 1835, he published "Fairy Tales Told for Children," his first book. There were four stories, and the book was actually written to earn a little pocket change. However, interest was enormous, and a second volume soon followed. Shortly thereafter, an annual book of fairy tales was published - a career spanning nearly 40 years!

Hans' tales are dark as well as beautiful, and always have a moral. They show the good, and the bad, touched with the magical story-telling ability he was born with. Dane's well know that there are two sides to everything, and understand these contrasts through their heritage and folklore.

Long gloomy nights lit by millions of candles, Nisser (related to the Devil) must be appeased each Christmas eve, but they protect the farm and family, And the ancient festival of Odin and of the dead that is now Christmas.

These things are embedded in the psyche of all Danish people. The ideas of life and death, light and dark, death and rebirth are present everywhere.

He wrote two of his tales specifically about Christmas.

"The Little Fir Tree" takes place during Christmas in Denmark, and is about a small fir tree who is unhappy in the forest, and longs to be tall, beautiful and useful. After a few years of fretting in the woods, he is chopped down for use as a Christmas tree! Unfortunately, the Little Fir Tree discovers that after Christmas, he is nothing more than firewood, and laments the time he wasted complaining in the woods when he could have enjoyed his short life.

The second tale, "The Little Match Girl" is set during Christmas in Denmark, and tells the story of a young girl who is alone in the world. Her Grandmother has died, and she is living on the street. One Christmas eve, cold and alone, she finds she has one book of matches left, but nothing else. She lights the matches, and sees a vision of her grandmother, who takes her on a wonderful flight over the town, and she is no longer cold, hungry, or alone. In the morning, the villagers find her frozen to death, surrounded by the burned matches, with a smile on her face.

Each of Andersen's stories tells a lesson. Many have been made into movies, and his stories are published in nearly every language.

Hans died in 1875, and is buried in his beloved Copenhagen.

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