The big day in Norway, as in most of Northern Europe, is December 24. Although it is legally a regular workday until 16:00[8], most stores close early.
The main Christmas meal is served in the evening. Common main dishes include pork rib, “pinnekjøtt” (pieces of lamb rib steamed over birch branches), and in some western areas burned sheep’s head.
Many people also eat “lutefisk” or fresh, poached cod. Rice porridge is also popular (but most commonly served the day after rather than for the main Christmas dinner), an almond is often hidden in the porridge, and the person who finds it wins a treat or small gift. (more…)
Swedish Christmas celebrations begin with the first of Advent. Saint Lucy’s Day (locally known as Luciadagen) is the first major Christmas celebration before Christmas itself.
As in many other countries in northern Europe, Jultomten (a version of Santa Claus mixed with old folklore, see Yule and Tomte) brings the presents on Christmas Eve, the day generally thought of as Christmas.
Christmas is, as everywhere, a holiday of food. Almost all Swedish families celebrate Christmas on December 24 with a Christmas smörgåsbord (julbord).
The common part of almost all julbord is the julskinka (baked ham), but there are also other common dishes such as meatballs, pickled herring, square ribs, lutfisk, pork sausage, Janssons frestelse (grated potatoes, onion, anchovy and cream), and rice pudding. (more…)
In Denmark, Christmas is celebrated on December 24, which is referred to as Juleaften. An evening meal is eaten with the family consisting of either roast pork, roast duck or roast goose which is eaten with potatoes, red cabbage and plenty of gravy.
For dessert rice pudding is served, traditionally with an almond hidden inside, the lucky finder of this almond is entitled to a small gift. After the meal is complete, the family gather around the Christmas tree and sing Christmas songs.
Traditionally they would dance around the tree, but due to space constraints of modern homes, this often does not happen. When the singing is complete, traditions varies. In some traditions the family will select one child to hand out the presents other take in turn handing out the presents.
They are opened and this is followed by more snacks, candy, chips and sometimes a traditionally Christmas drink called Gløgg.
Danish is somewhat famous for their “Julefrokost”, which is a collection of the most danish meals you can find combined with beer and Snaps.
These Julefrokoster are popular and used by families, social groups and companies.
They would traditionally have taken place leading up to Christmas, but do to time constraints and stress during the christmas month they are today mostly held during November and January(some even have them in summer).
The family Julefrokoster is normally held between Juleaften and New Years Eve. During the Christmas month there has also been developed a danish tradition of making a “Julekalender” on TV which normally is a 24 episode series, with one episode for each night of December until “Juleaften”. This tradition is obviously a young tradition but extremely popular with kids and some adults.
Source: Wikipedia
In Germany, Christmas traditions vary by region. Following Saint Nicholas Day, (December 6) which is mostly for children, the actual Christmas gift-giving usually takes place on the night of Christmas eve, with gifts put under the Christmas tree after a meal.
The culinary feast typically takes place at lunch on Dec. 24 (evening) or Dec. 25, and usually involves poultry (typically roast goose).
The gifts may be brought by the Weihnachtsmann, who resembles St. Nicholas, or by the Christkind, a sprite-like child who may or may not represent the baby Jesus.
Commercially, the Striezelmarkt is arguably a worldwide Christmas gift production center, boasting the specialities of the Dresden region, from ceramics and prints to various delicacies which are shipped worldwide. (more…)
The Striezelmarkt, Germany’s Dresden region, is arguably a worldwide Christmas gift production center which continues for nearly one month.
This is the time when Dresden Stollen fruitcake, Pulsnitzer gingerbread, wood carvings from the Erzgebirge Mountains, Dresden Pflaumentoffel, Lusatian indigo print, Silesian ceramics, Bohemian glass, and Meissen porcelain dominate the lives of visitors who come from all over to thoroughly immerse themselves in Christmas.
Knecht Ruprecht is a companion of Father Christmas in many different German speaking areas of Europe.
In some German-speaking communities (particularly in southern Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein), the character of Santa is replaced by the Christkind (literally “Christ child”). (more…)
In Germany and the Netherlands, the celebration of Saint Nicholas Day on December 6th resembles the Christmas of the English-speaking world.
Sinterklaas, from whom the English and American Santa evolved, is based on the real Saint Nicholas, and brings presents on the evening of December 6 to every child who has been good.
He wears a red bishop’s dress with a red mitre, rides a white horse over the rooftops, and is assisted by many mischievous helpers called ‘zwarte Pieten’ (black Peters). (more…)
Sviata Vechera or “Holy Supper” is the central tradition of the Christmas Eve celebrations in Ukrainian homes. The dinner table sometimes has a few wisps of hay on the embroidered table cloth as a reminder of the manger in Bethlehem.
When the children see the first Star in the eastern evening sky, which symbolizes the trek of the Three Wise Men, the Sviata Vechera may begin.
In farming communities the head of the household now brings in a sheaf of wheat called the didukh which represents the importance of the ancient and rich wheat crops of Ukraine, the staff of life through the centuries.
Didukh means literally “grandfather spirit” so it symbolizes the family’s ancestors. In city homes a few stalks of golden wheat in a vase are often used to decorate the table. (more…)
In Eastern Europe, Slavic countries have the tradition of Ded Moroz (”Grandfather Frost”). He is accompanied by his granddaughter Snegurochka (”Snowmaiden”).
According to legend, he travels in a magical decorated sleigh drawn by reindeer, and delivers gifts to children. He is thought to descend more from Santa Claus than from Saint Nicholas.
Christmas celebration in Russia is on the 7th of January (which corresponds to December 25 in the Julian Calendar). The tradition of celebrating Christmas has been revived since 1992, after decades of suppression by the communist government.
It is centered on the Christmas Eve “Holy Supper”, which consists of twelve servings, one to honor each of Jesus’ apostles. (more…)
Christmas in Romania falls on December 25 and is generally considered one of the most important religious holiday. First comes Easter.
The singing of carols is a very important part of Romanian Christmas festivities.
On the first day of Christmas, many carolers walk through the streets of the towns and villages, holding a star made of cardboard and paper on which are depicted various scenes from the Bible.
Romanian tradition has the smallest children going from house to house, singing carols and reciting poems and legends during the whole Christmas season. (more…)
Georgians celebrate Christmas on January 7 (Julian calendar). Traditional in Georgia is to go on Alilo, a mass walking in streets, dressed in special forms to celebrate and congratulate each other the holiday.
Often members of Alilo are children and they are gifted from elders with sweets.
The Alilo songs vary in the provinces of Georgia.
In most songs these words are used: ოცდახუთსა დეკემბერსა, ქრისტე იშვა ბეთლემსაო otsdakhutsa dekembersa qriste ishva betlemsao - on December 25 Christ was born in Bethlehem. (more…)
