Christmas time is my favourite holiday! For me it’s a time to connect with your loved ones and forget about all the less good things that happened during the year.
In Denmark at this time of the year it’s so beautiful that I really recommend anyone to go for a visit. During Christmas, the city is full of sparkling lights and everyone is in good spirits. Danes fully embrace Christmas very early, sometimes mid-November you can see houses already decorated with lights and stars.
It;s one of the best times to also understand the term ‘Hygge’ as everyone is feeling happy and enjoying a cosy time at home with the family and other loved ones.
I’ve experienced 3 years of Christmas in Denmark and embraced some traditions that I really love. Doing the Christmas tree in November it’s not a bad thing after all! Today I’m showing you 10 Danish Christmas Traditions that I have learned living there.
1. CHRISTMAS CALENDARS
The Julekalender is the advent calendar in Denmark. It can also be called ‘gift calendar’ because instead of little chocolates the calendar have 24 small gifts. This tradition is primarily for children to have a gift a day, starting on the first of December until Christmas Eve, but adults can do it too.
A lot of families will do the calendars themselves, with small bags for example, for each day. This makes the lead up to Christmas way more fun!
2. ADVENT WREATH
The Advent wreath is used in many countries. In Denmark it’s decorated with four candles, one for each Sunday in December leading up to Christmas Eve.
Most of the ones I’ve seen are adorned with white candles, berries and cones and ideally red ribbons to be put up, like these ones.
3. CALENDAR CANDLE
A candle with numbers 1 to 24 is used to count down the days from the first of December until Christmas Eve. Once a day, the families gather to light up the candle, burning one number each day.
It’s a very simple way of doing the countdown but it’s incorporated as a special tradition, generally shared by members of the family in a special time of the day.
4. DANISH BRAIDED CHRISTMAS HEARTS
The tradition of making this traditional Danish braided hearts and then hung it up on the tree comes a long way. It is said that this tradition started with Hans Christian Andersen, but it’s unclear when they started to be used as a Christmas tree decoration, giving the fact that the originals ones had no handle. You can do your own with these instructions.
5. YULE GOAT
This Scandinavian and Northern European symbol was in the pass connected to Pagan festivals and misfortune amongst other bad things.
Nowadays is used in Denmark as decorative item. Made of straw and hold together with a red ribbon it can be seen in most Christmas markets around Copenhagen and it can also be used as smaller version to put up in the Christmas tree.
6. SAINT LUCIA
On the 13th of December, Saint Lucia it’s celebrated all over Denmark. In Copenhagen there are several places where you can see the ‘Lucia Walk’ which consists on a parade of young girls all dressed in white and holding candles while singing. The tallest girl will be at the front of the parade wearing a crown with four candles.
7. TRADITIONAL FOODS
Amongst some of the most traditional food served during Christmas time in Denmark, the sweets for me take a special place. Most of it it’s due to the fact that the making of this deserts are normally associated with family time and being with your loved ones.
RISENGRØD – It’s a rice pudding with milk, sugar and cinnamon on top. It can be eaten all year round to be fair but during Christmas it’s a total ‘hygge’ for the mind. It’s delicious!
RISALAMANDE – Ris a l’Amande it’s a cold rice pudding that it’s served with hot cherry sauce on top. It is tradition to hide on or more almonds in it. Whoever finds the almond gets a present!
ÆBLESKIVER – Most known as the pancake balls, they are made of sweet dough in a form of ball using a special pan. It’s served with strawberry jam and powdered sugar and I always have it by this time of the year!
CHRISTMAS COOKIES – There a lot of traditional Danish cookies. The ones I’m mentioning here are the most traditional, at least the ones I’m aware of.
The Klejner are fried twisted cookies make of dough and sprinkled with powdered sugar on top. Vaniljekranse are vanilla butter ring cookies and once you start eating them it’s hard to stop, just saying! Pebernødder are small rounded cookies made with a variety of spices. Brunkager it’s the Danish brown cookie with almond and pistachio nuts which I have seen but not yet tried it myself. Jødekager or Jewish cookie takes sugar, cinnamon and sliced almonds on top and are delicious.
8. GLÖGG
The traditional Danish drink that’s everywhere. All Christmas markets will be selling these and it’s basically hot red wine with cinnamon, raisins and almonds. You have to try it at least once!
9. DANCING AROUND THE TREE
On Christmas Eve after dinner and presents shared, the families dance together around the tree, holding hands and singing carols.
10. CHRISTMAS MARKETS
One of my favourite traditions is the Christmas Markets and they are all over. Just here in Copenhagen there are several around the city, where you can buy mostly handmade products such as scarves, gloves or decoration ornaments. They also have traditional treats making it a fun day out with family or friends.
I always love to learn more about other people’s culture and traditions, so I had to share this article you guys! What do you think?
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What about your own experiences of Christmas in Denmark, did I miss something important? Let me know!
Skål, Cheers!
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Wow! your photos are so perfectly amazing! I think the big Christmas trees are really nice… I always prepare to put one small Christmas tree inside the house… thanks for sharing your wonderful photos!
Author
You’re welcome Sabrina! Hope you got to learn more about the Danish traditions, XX
Always knew the Danish traditions were quirky and fun. But this piece sheds a whole new light onto that. Love the Christmas tree too. Illuminating!
Mmmm….glogg and Danish butter cookies! Gotta love holiday goodies.
Amazing photos, it looks like an amazing place to spend Christmas. We had a large Danish community near where I grew up so the cookies and treats I remember being sold around town. Fun.
I’ve been to Denmark when I was little. I barely remember but I can’t wait to visit again! And in Christmas time! I didn’t know about the Danish braided Christmas heart! I would love forward to see them when I visit. Love all those yummy cookies! What a wonderful Christmas to spend time!
I love the Danish Braided hearts. It looks so cute! We also practice similar traditions here in the Philippines.
Author
Wow, that’s lovely to know! I have never been to the Philippines but it’s on my list!
Dancing around the tree, sweet traditions and Christmas Markets the Danish way seems the perfect way x
Wow, you have some wonderful traditions! I love the Yule Goats, so sweet. And those lights on the trees are absolutely beautiful by the way!
I’ve been to Denmark but I didn’t know a lot of these traditions. I would love the bread and sweets!
These are amazing and you still follow your Danes Christmas traditions. Is Christmas market a big hit in your city?
Beautiful photos and an interesting insight into Danish Christmas traditions. The Christmas trees look lovely as do the braided Christmas hearts.
I love learning about new cultures and it was wonderful knowing so much about Danish Christmas traditions. I particularly loved the sweets and the Christmas markets.
I love Christmas traditions and so many of the Danish traditions are similar to the Austrian ones we have here. Just fab!
These are some awesome traditions, and I love your pictures! You must have a really nice camera Great post!
Author
Thank you! I use a Canon 100D, small and compact, easy to carry around, X
Fab photos here! I really like the sound of some of these Christmas traditions. They are all new to me.
Interesting traditions. I like the concept of Calendar candle most which is the time for family get together too. Thanks for writing this informative article!
These are all such beautiful traditions. I love the plaited hearts and love the idea of a dyi advent calendar.
I am just loving these traditions! Christmas may be far away but I am already planning and this honestly just sounds so amazing!
Wow your photos are so beautiful. Are all the ones with the Christmas trees and markets taken in Copenhagen. It looks like a fairytale. Definitely adding this to my bucket list.
Author
Hi Nicola, yes they were all taken in Copenhagen, I love Christmas here, it’s so beautiful!