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CHRISTMAS

My five favourite Danish childhood Christmas memories

Growing up in Denmark has made Christmas a magical time in my childhood memories. Here are five Danish customs I look back on fondly.

Published: 23 December 2019 13:56 CET
Updated: 24 December 2022 12:43 CET
My five favourite Danish childhood Christmas memories
File photo: Thomas Lekfeldt/Ritzau Scanpix

The Disney Christmas Show

Christmas always seemed to begin at 4pm on Christmas Eve as the Disney Christmas show flickered on to our TV screen. Everyone in the house put on smart clothes and sat on the sofa with a cup of warm gløgg [traditional Nordic mulled wine, ed.] or hot chocolate.

From All of Us to All of You is known more simply in Danish as Disney juleshow and was first broadcast in Denmark in 1967. The cartoon has become a regular Christmas tradition for many Danes, and for me it remains the sound of Christmas.

Christmas Eve dinner and the excitement about present-opening time

Roast duck, brown potatoes, boiled potatoes, gravy, red cabbage and the ‘Christmas salad’ we invented in my family were the taste of Christmas Eve at my childhood home. The dishes were all arranged in our best china and placed on the Christmas table with its candles and decorations.

READ ALSO: Why do Danes eat duck and pork at Christmas?

It looked and tasted great and very seasonal, but for us kids, it was hard to stay calm and enjoy the food, because we knew what the evening would bring – or at least what we all hoped it would. Gifts are given on the evening of Christmas Eve in Denmark – that can make the day feel long when you’re small.


File photo: Jonas Skovbjerg Fogh/Ritzau Scanpix

Risalamande

Risalamande, a cold rice pudding mixed with whipped cream, vanilla and chopped almonds served with a cherry sauce, is thought to be eaten at nine out of ten Danish Christmas dinners. 

It was always brought to our table in an orange bowl which only ever came out at Christmas: a family heirloom from my grandmother. I remember how the lights from the candles glinted against the colour of the bowl.

Before the adults put anything on their plates, my brothers and I were given ours and began chewing. Our mom had to tell us not to chew too hard or we wouldn’t find the one unchopped almond in the dessert (the one who finds the almond wins a little present). Strangely enough, I found a whole almond in my portion every year – and so did my brothers.

Meanwhile, the adults always ate so much risalamande that they ended up needing to lay down on the sofa.

Dancing around the Christmas tree

Our Christmas tree was decorated by my grandmother, with snowballs in natural designs and pretty angels. The adults took my hands and I remember having to stretch to keep hold – I felt like I was permanently making the ‘Y’ in ‘YMCA’. I can clearly remember the rough feel of my carpenter grandfather’s hand and the whole family going around and around as we faced the Christmas tree.

Suddenly we’d go one way, then the other, then back the other way. My dad always said he was getting dizzy and everyone else laughed.


Danes dancing around the Christmas tree, around 1960. File photo: Åge Sørensen/Ritzau Scanpix

A visit from Father Christmas

Santa always came to our house early on Christmas Eve – and always when my dad had to use the bathroom. There was the loud noise of a knock at the window, then at the next window and the next one. Santa was running around the house! I remember trying to run after the noise and being scared at the same time.

Suddenly a tall man in a red Christmas outfit would be standing in the doorway. He’d walk in and loudly pronounce, “Ho ho ho”! Our guest would be carrying a large bag, speak in a mumbling voice and give the children presents from his sack. One year my brother tugged at the beard, which made me feel very awkward. But Santa didn’t seem to mind.

“There are many children and I must go,” he’d say and head out into the dark. Shortly after, Dad would reappear in the kitchen, checking how the Christmas dinner was coming along.

READ ALSO: How to navigate Danish holiday traffic over the Christmas break

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CHRISTMAS

Julefrokost: Denmark’s work Christmas party tradition explained

The arrival of December means 'Julefrokost' season is officially underway in Denmark. Here's what you need to know about the Danish Christmas party tradition.

Published: 1 December 2023 14:52 CET
Updated: 7 December 2023 07:57 CET
Julefrokost: Denmark’s work Christmas party tradition explained

What is a julefrokost?

A julefrokost, or “Christmas lunch”, is a traditional Danish gathering with your co-workers. The event typically includes dinner, typically in the form of a buffet; drinks (lots of them); and eventually dancing and possibly other escapades you may or may not regret in the morning. 

The festive gathering is not just hosted by employers. Clubs, universities and even banks will also hold a julefrokost for their members (don’t expect the latter to host anything at the rowdy end of the scale). But if you’re signed up for lots of clubs, activities, and hobbies, you can expect a packed social calendar over Christmas. 

The tradition of the Christmas party may have wholesome roots, but in the modern day, the julefrokost’s reputation has become more coloured. Seeing as the wicked-strength Aquavit (schnapps) and deceptively-smooth gløgg (mulled wine) typically flow like water during the festive event, embarrassing oneself at a Christmas table is something many Danes have shared reddened cheeks over. 

When is it?

Some companies schedule their Christmas parties in late November or even in January. Employers know how busy people are around the holidays and will therefore often try to pick a date where the most people can attend.

Although this date sometimes ends up outside the few festive weeks leading up to Christmas in December, the most common and popular season for the julefrokost is in early December, when Christmas spirit has set in but still far enough away from Christmas Eve for work festivities not to encroach on family commitments.

A Christmas table can take place at your work, at a restaurant, at an employee’s home, or at an event space. This is likely to depend on the company’s budget for the event. Typically, though, a bar or restaurant is to be expected. 

What should I wear?

Julefrokost attire is an exception to the Danish rule of casual dress. You may wear jeans and a T-shirt at the office, but don’t expect to show up in that casual office wear at a Christmas party and not get a few stares.

Typically, men wear shirts or a nice suit jacket. If you want to impress with a flourish, add a bow tie. A normal tie is also a nice touch. Women usually go glam and opt for glitter, sparkles and jewellery. 

What happens?

Upon entering the venue for the julefrokost (and be sure to do so on time), you can make a good first impression by shaking everyone’s hand and looking them in the eye. If it’s a big company and you don’t know them, say your first name and they will say theirs. This can feel incredibly awkward but it’s nevertheless the done thing.

Once the opening pleasantries and hand-shaking conclude, you’ll be guided to the dinner table.

Danish dinner parties often involve very long spells of sitting, but the julefrokost can take this to a new level. If it’s a larger party and you missed shaking a hand or two at entry, make sure you shake hands with those sitting in your immediate vicinity. After all, you’re going to be next to them for a long time.

When you sit down, you’re likely to find one plate stacked upon the other. That’s because there are rules about the order in which things are eaten and the proper combination of foods. Piling up your first plate with meat and sides is a real rookie mistake. That top plate is for the fish.

What’s on the menu?

There are variations including more modern, vegan-friendly menus, but the classic julefrokost begins with pickled herrings and other fish dishes. Depending upon the host’s ambitions, the selection stretches from a minimum of three to as many as a dozen different types of herring.

From there, you eat your way through a large selection of fish, hot and cold meats (including flæskesteg, roast pork, and frikadeller, meat balls), and finally cheese. 

The most common dessert is risalamande, a Danish take on French rice pudding sweetened and flavoured with vanilla and chopped almonds, and doused in warm cherry sauce. Spoiler alert: it’s delicious and you’ll probably eat too much. To add excitement, your hosts may insert a whole almond in one portion. Remember to chew carefully: the person who finds the intact almond gets a present.

When does the fun start?

A julefrokost standard is the pakkeleg game, in which every guest brings a wrapped present that usually costs no more than 50 kroner. The presents are put in the centre of the table and then you take turns rolling dice. Roll a six and you get a present.

While that sounds innocuous enough, things ratchet up to a new level in round two (keep in mind how many schnapps and glasses of wine have probably been downed by this point).

In this round, when you roll a six you get to take someone else’s present, leading to all sorts of scheming and plotting that inevitably ends with everyone opening the presents they fought so hard for only to realise that it’s mostly useless knick-knacks, purchased from Normal or Tiger on the morning of the party.

By the time this part of the julefrokost is over and the dessert plates have been cleared, all bets are off. The schnapps, juleøl (Christmas beers) and wine will be flowing and chaos may ensue.

When should I leave?

Leave when you like! However, you might want to stay until after dessert is finished to avoid being rude to the party’s planners. And remember, if you have enjoyed the sparkly cocktails and champagne at the party, make sure you have arranged for a safe way to get home.

Sign off with a tak for i aften (“thanks for tonight”) and god jul (“Happy Christmas”) as you leave – unless you’re trying for a discrete exit.

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