1 Month to Christmas

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is celebrated in different ways around the world, varying by country and region. Elements common to many areas of the world include the attendance of special religious observances such as a midnight Mass or Vespers, and the giving and receiving of presents.

In particular that part about the presents is a much loved tradition in Denmark. Who doesn’t love to give presents and especially to receive presents from people you love????…..

In a traditional Danish Christmas eve the food is also very important. The Christmas eve dinner is eaten with the family. It usually consists of roast pork, roast duck with potatoes, caramelized potatoes, red cabbage and plenty of homemade brown gravy. For dessert we have risalamande, a cold rice pudding dish which is served with a hot cherry sauce, traditionally with a almond hidden inside. The lucky finder of this almond is entitled to a small gift that normally is a small marzipan pig. In some families, it’s tradition that the rice pudding dessert is made with the remaining rice porridge from the previous evening, a meal served on the 23rd, Lille juleaften (Little Christmas Eve), with cinnamon, brown sugar and butter. It is eaten warm with a fruit drink or sweet malt beer.

At Christmas eve after the meal is complete, the family will dance around the Juletræ (fir tree) and sing Christmas carols and hymns like “Nu er det jul igen” (Now it is Christmas again) and “Et barn er født i Bethlehem” (A child has been born in Bethlehem). When the singing is complete, presents which are tucked under the tree, are handed out by the children or in turn. After the presents have been opened the children and everybody with a childish mind are playing with their presents that they received, while the rest of us adults are having a good time in each others company and while we are eating more Christmas snacks.

In my family we always sit on the sofas in front of the fireplace and we have fun and enjoy each others company and eat, eat and eat 😉

Because we in my family (and all other Danish families) eat quite a lot of Christmas food on Christmas Eve, then we have a tradition for a long and nice walk the day after Christmas eve. My mom says it’s so we can walk some of the Christmas fat off. Hehe.

These photos above is from last year, Christmas 2012.

… But this year, exactly in 1 month I’m for the first time in my life not in my family’s company at Christmas eve. I am with my love J and his awesome family, and we are going to have a traditional Aussie Christmas with accompanying summer, sun, beach, BBQ, drinks and of course presents.

Uh, I can´t wait and I feel all of a sudden as an independent adult, having to spend Christmas without my mom and dad and my two sisters, hehe.

The story goes that Santa replaces his reindeers for kangaroos when he arrives to Australia, when we get back home from the land downunder then I’ll tell you if the story is true.. Hohohohoooo mate!!