Celebrating Christmas in Denmark, but not sure what the Danish Christmas traditions are? Let's find out!
First of all, Merry Christmas (... and a Happy New Year) in Danish is Glaedelig Jul, or God jul (... Og Godt Nyter.)
Watch out when you spend Christmas in Denmark. During Christmas in Denmark, the mischievous Danish elf Nisse plays pranks on people. Nisse often lives in old farmhouses and wears gray woolen clothes, red bonnet and stockings and white clogs. As a good elf, Nisse generally helps people on the farms and is good with children but plays jokes during the holiday season. On Christmas Eve in Denmark, many families leave a bowl of rice pudding or porridge for him so that he is friendly to them and keeps his jokes within limits.
The traditional Christmas Eve dinner starts with cinnamon-laced rice pudding ("Grod") with an almond in it. The person who finds the almond receives the prize. This Danish custom is often followed by a stuffed roast goose, red cabbage and potatoes. Afterwards, there are pastries and cakes as desserts.
Children are not allowed to see the Christmas tree until dinner time on Christmas Eve and parents decorate it secretly.
On the night of Christmas in Denmark families gather around Christmas trees and sing carols. Special cup cakes are prepared, cooked over the fire in a special pan and dusted with icing sugar.
Have a nice trip and merry Christmas in Denmark and make sure to visit the special Christmas Celebrations in Tivoli Park, Copenhagen!
Go back up to the main article Christmas in Scandinavia for more Christmas traditions!
