DANISH CHRISTMAS - FALL 1991

In Denmark, Christmas is known as the Festival of Hearts. It is December 10, 1991 as I write this. Along Stroget (the Walking Street) in Copenhagen, there are now fir garlands above the street. Each garland has white lights and a large red heart.

Christmas trees are for sale now, but most people do not decorate them at home until Christmas Eve. Traditional ornaments are made of straw, but children like to make hearts of two interwoven pieces of colored paper to hang on the tree. White electric lights in the shape of candles are available, but many people still prefer to put real candles on the Christmas tree -- and light them only briefly on Christmas Eve.

Other Christmas decorations in the home include fir wreaths, ceramic elves, straw reindeer, and candles. Danes love to light many candles to make it cozy on dark winter evenings.

Christmas dinner is eaten Christmas Eve. Although the dinner may vary according to family traditions, a common menu includes roast pork with crisp skin, boiled potatoes with brown sauce, and pickled red cabbage. For dessert, there is a rice pudding mixed with chopped almonds and whipped cream, which is topped by a hot cherry sauce. The person who gets a whole almond in his pudding gets a prize.

Julemand (Yule Man, or Santa Claus) lives in Greenland, not at the North Pole. Traditionally, he arrives while the family is at church Christmas Eve. After church, or after dinner, the family joins hands in a circle to dance or walk around the Christmas tree. They then open the presents. In some families, a small present is also given every day for 8 days before Christmas. Advent calendars are also available which have a piece of chocolate for every day in December.

After the children are in bed, the adults may continue to enjoy warm spiced red wine. The adults then sleep in late on Christmas day, and visit relatives in the afternoon.