Christmas in Denmark
The holiday spirit of Denmark is Julnisse, an elf like creature who hides in barn lofts. Dressed in gray clothing with a red hat and socks and white clogs, Julnisse will cause mischief unless he is given treats. If he is properly treated, Julnisse will watch over a families animals during the coming year. Another popular tradition at Christmas in Denmark is collecting plates, which started when wealthy families gave plates of Christmas treats to the servants. The servants set aside the plates, which were nicer than their everyday plates. Today, Christmas plates featuring Julnisse are very popular in Denmark.
Christmas in Sweden
Then central figure of Christmas in Sweden is St. Lucia, the patron saint of Light. St. Lucia’s Day on December 13 is celebrated in all of Scandinavia, but it is on a much grander scale in Sweden. Little girls dressed in white robes and special crowns of serve the family St. Lucia buns, made at Christmastime.
The Christmas tree was traditionally put up a few days before Christmas Eve. Candles, apples, Swedish flags, small gnomes with red hats and straw ornaments are all common decorations on a Swedish Christmas tree. December 26th is a day of socializing. Children’s parties are held in the afternoon, while adults parties are held later in the evening and animals are given extra food. On the Epiphany (Twelfth Night) villagers would dress up as biblical characters and sing hymns from home to home.
Christmas in Norway
As is popular in other Scandinavian countries, Norwegians celebrate Christmas with the animals. On Christmas Eve day, a “bird tree” is hung in the front yard. On Christmas Eve families dress in their best and celebrate. Julesvenn, a hold over from the Jul feast of ancient times, will bring gifts for the children on Christmas Eve. More celebrations take place after Christmas through the first two weeks of January, including Julebukk, is a Halloween-like celebration in which children dress up and go door-to-door for treats.
Christmas in Finland
Along with St. Lucia and Julnisse, Finnish Christmas traditions include a steam bath on Christmas Eve. Another Finnish Christmas tradition is sprinkling hay around the base of their Christmas tree and dinner table, as a reminder of the manger where Jesus was born.
Source:
Bevilacqua, Michelle, Brandon Toropov. The Everything Book of Christmas. Avon: Adams Media Coroporation, 1996.
Barth, Edna. Holly, Reindeer and Colored Lights: The Story of the Christmas Symbols. New York: Clarion Books, 1971.
Lankford, Mary. Christmas Around the World. New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1995.
Lorri Brown - I am a published freelance writer living in the beautiful foothills of Western Maine. Mom to four wonderful children, my passion for ...
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