Christmas Around the World: Traditions From Scandinavia
From julstjärnor stars to Donald Duck, find out what makes Christmas special in Denmark, Norway and Sweden
Claire Tardy
5 December 2017
With its impressive snowfalls and penchant for cosiness, Scandinavia really embodies the Christmas spirit. The festive ambience settles into homes from December 1st, the beginning of jul, yuletide. Christmas decorations start to make an appearance, kids get their Advent calendars and candles are lit over and over again in anticipation of the big day. A warm gourmand atmosphere spreads through the streets, with spots to enjoy spice cakes and glögg, or mulled wine, popping up on every corner. On December 13th, St. Lucy’s Day parades liven up Swedish, Norwegian and Danish cities.
Each of these countries have their own unique Christmas traditions, with its own take on festive food, decorations and celebration. Here are the little touches that make Christmas special in Scandinavia.
Each of these countries have their own unique Christmas traditions, with its own take on festive food, decorations and celebration. Here are the little touches that make Christmas special in Scandinavia.
1. The run-up to Christmas
Scandinavians mark Advent with four candles, which are lit one after another on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.
Danes additionally light single candles marked with 24 graduated lines, one for every day between the beginning of December and Christmas.
A major occasion during Advent in Scandinavia is Saint Lucy’s Day, which originated in Sweden but is also celebrated in Norway and Denmark. On December 13, girls dressed in white and adorned with luminous crowns parade through the streets singing Christmas carols. They distribute ginger snaps or saffron buns, known as lussekatter, and mulled wine, called glögg.
Scandinavians mark Advent with four candles, which are lit one after another on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.
Danes additionally light single candles marked with 24 graduated lines, one for every day between the beginning of December and Christmas.
A major occasion during Advent in Scandinavia is Saint Lucy’s Day, which originated in Sweden but is also celebrated in Norway and Denmark. On December 13, girls dressed in white and adorned with luminous crowns parade through the streets singing Christmas carols. They distribute ginger snaps or saffron buns, known as lussekatter, and mulled wine, called glögg.
To tide themselves over until the big day, Norwegians celebrate what they call the “Little Christmas Eve” on the 23rd. Families come together to decorate the tree, make gingerbread houses and bake cakes. Rice pudding with sugar, cinnamon and butter is a common treat. An almond is traditionally hidden in the pudding: The person who finds it gets a marzipan pig to take home.
See more Christmas decoration ideas
See more Christmas decoration ideas
2. Decorations
The Christmas tree is central in all Scandinavian countries, but other Christmas decorations vary. Since it is very dark in Sweden at this time of year, houses are lit up in the cosiest possible way both inside and out. Windows are usually decorated with bright stars known as julstjärnor, which come in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes. Seven-armed candelabras are often placed on windowsills. In Denmark, it is common to garland the tree with flags and other national ornaments, and to top it with a silver or gold star.
Norwegians often decorate with holly, while Danes prefer spruce branches and red berries in their Christmas wreaths.
Check out these unique ideas for decorating the Christmas tree
The Christmas tree is central in all Scandinavian countries, but other Christmas decorations vary. Since it is very dark in Sweden at this time of year, houses are lit up in the cosiest possible way both inside and out. Windows are usually decorated with bright stars known as julstjärnor, which come in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes. Seven-armed candelabras are often placed on windowsills. In Denmark, it is common to garland the tree with flags and other national ornaments, and to top it with a silver or gold star.
Norwegians often decorate with holly, while Danes prefer spruce branches and red berries in their Christmas wreaths.
Check out these unique ideas for decorating the Christmas tree
3. On Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve activities also differ by country. Most Swedish families come together at three o’clock in the afternoon to watch Disney’s 1958 Christmas Special, “From All of Us to All of You,” known in Sweden as Kalle Anka (the Swedish name for Donald Duck). It’s is broadcasted every Christmas since 1960, and in 2016 it was the most-watched television program of the year, at 3.7 million viewers.
In Norway, the beginning of festivities is marked by church bells, which are rung at 5pm. In all three countries, a lovely dinner is followed by presents and carols around the Christmas tree.
Christmas Eve activities also differ by country. Most Swedish families come together at three o’clock in the afternoon to watch Disney’s 1958 Christmas Special, “From All of Us to All of You,” known in Sweden as Kalle Anka (the Swedish name for Donald Duck). It’s is broadcasted every Christmas since 1960, and in 2016 it was the most-watched television program of the year, at 3.7 million viewers.
In Norway, the beginning of festivities is marked by church bells, which are rung at 5pm. In all three countries, a lovely dinner is followed by presents and carols around the Christmas tree.
4. Christmas dinner
Each country has its own Christmas dinner traditions. In Sweden, the Christmas ham (julskinka) holds the central place in the julbord, the Christmas dinner. It is usually served with red cabbage, small sausages, a variety of breads and cheeses, as well as traditional dishes like gravad lax (marinated raw salmon) or sillsallad, a salad made with beets, potatoes, eggs and herring.
Norwegians, on the other hand, usually eat pinnekjøtt (dried and smoked lamb or pork ribs) and lutefisk (dried cod). The meal is rounded off with spice cakes, called pepperkake, which are dunked into glasses of mulled wine.
Finally, the traditional Danish Christmas meal consists of a duck or a goose stuffed with apples, plums, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, red cabbage and beets. Cold rice pudding topped with hot cranberry sauce is served for dessert. As in Norway, an entire almond is hidden in the pudding and a small gift is given to the one who finds it.
Take a look at these dinner table settings to bring in the festivities
Each country has its own Christmas dinner traditions. In Sweden, the Christmas ham (julskinka) holds the central place in the julbord, the Christmas dinner. It is usually served with red cabbage, small sausages, a variety of breads and cheeses, as well as traditional dishes like gravad lax (marinated raw salmon) or sillsallad, a salad made with beets, potatoes, eggs and herring.
Norwegians, on the other hand, usually eat pinnekjøtt (dried and smoked lamb or pork ribs) and lutefisk (dried cod). The meal is rounded off with spice cakes, called pepperkake, which are dunked into glasses of mulled wine.
Finally, the traditional Danish Christmas meal consists of a duck or a goose stuffed with apples, plums, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, red cabbage and beets. Cold rice pudding topped with hot cranberry sauce is served for dessert. As in Norway, an entire almond is hidden in the pudding and a small gift is given to the one who finds it.
Take a look at these dinner table settings to bring in the festivities
5. Gift giving
According to Scandinavian folklore, it is the Christmas elf, called Julenisse in Norway and Denmark and Jultomte in Sweden, who gives out presents. Originally the elf was supposed to protect children and farmers’ homes from bad luck. Only later did he become the one to bring presents at Christmas. The elf often makes an appearance at Christmas Eve celebrations, gifts for the children in hand. In all three countries, presents are opened on the 24th.
According to Scandinavian folklore, it is the Christmas elf, called Julenisse in Norway and Denmark and Jultomte in Sweden, who gives out presents. Originally the elf was supposed to protect children and farmers’ homes from bad luck. Only later did he become the one to bring presents at Christmas. The elf often makes an appearance at Christmas Eve celebrations, gifts for the children in hand. In all three countries, presents are opened on the 24th.
6. After Christmas
Danes prolong festivities until the 25th and 26th, called the first and second day of Christmas. Norwegians, on the other hand, have lunch and dinner get-togethers with family and friends right up until New Year’s.
In Swedish tradition, the Christmas tree is kept up until the 13th of January, St. Knut’s Day. On this day, Swedes hold a party and hang candy and small gifts from the tree branches for the children, before taking the tree down.
Read more:
Homes Around the World Wish You a Merry Christmas
Tell us:
Do you have a family tradition for Christmas? Tell us about it in the Comments below.
Danes prolong festivities until the 25th and 26th, called the first and second day of Christmas. Norwegians, on the other hand, have lunch and dinner get-togethers with family and friends right up until New Year’s.
In Swedish tradition, the Christmas tree is kept up until the 13th of January, St. Knut’s Day. On this day, Swedes hold a party and hang candy and small gifts from the tree branches for the children, before taking the tree down.
Read more:
Homes Around the World Wish You a Merry Christmas
Tell us:
Do you have a family tradition for Christmas? Tell us about it in the Comments below.
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SBS used to show Dinner for One. Not sure whether they show it any more. Shame.
Should have mentioned, midnight mass. It's always packed and the beautiful singing.
Also in Sweden, Julotta, or early Christmas morning service in all the churches. Traditionally there was a sleigh ride there in the dark with flaming torches to light the way. Not so much these days, except in Dalarna, a region of Sweden that is particularly strong on maintaining local customs.