6 fun Danish Christmas facts

If you’ve always wondered how Christmas is celebrated in Denmark, look no further as we put down six fun Danish facts you may not have known of.

Let’s have a JULEFROKOST (Christmas Party)

Christmas begins in Denmark with the Advent wreath, usually made from fine spruce twigs and cuttings. The wreath will also have four candles and red ribbons to attach to the ceiling.

Santa Claus is called ‘Julemanden’ (which means ‘Christmas Man’) in Denmark. He looks very similar to Santa Claus and also travels with a sleigh and reindeer.

Way back, it was common to give the animals a special treat on Christmas Eve as it was believed that all animals could talk on this special night, and nobody wanted the animals speaking bad of them!

Some of the most popular Danish Christmas biscuits are: ginger snaps, vanilla biscuits or gingerbread hearts. Sweet tooth’s are well catered for as Danes make sweetmeats and candies out of marzipan, chocolate fudge, almonds, dates, hazelnuts and crystallized fruits and berries.

The world famous Danish Christmas Seals are now 104 years old. Designed each year by specially invited artists and produced by the Julemærkefonden charity the seals are used on letters and postcards, just like stamps.

Unlike the traditional Christmas pudding here in the UK, Denmark love a cold rice pud with cream, vanilla, almonds and hot cherry sauce plus it’s not a coin which is hidden for luck but a peeled almond where the lucky finder gets a present.

It’s Danish week on bake off tonight so we though what better way than to celebrate by brushing up on fun Danish Christmas traditions.  If you know of any others feel free to comment below.