Now It’s Christmas Again – A Journey into My Danish Childhood Christmas

"Nu er det jul igen, og julen varer lige til påske" was the absolute favorite Christmas song of my Danish childhood. It marked the exciting end of the unbearable wait for Christmas Eve, on December 24th – and the joyful beginning of unwrapping the long-anticipated presents.

This particurly song was always the grand finale, sung after the 7-8 traditional Christmas carols, we sang while walking around the Christmas tree, hand in hand. Magical and unforgettable.

But “Nu er det jul igen” had its own twist: as soon as it started, we’d run through the house, often outside in socks – shoes are never worn indoors in Scandinavia – still holding hands. We sang faster and louder each time, until only a few could keep up, out of breath and full of the feast.

Afterward, we’d gather in the living room to exchange gifts quietly. By midnight, everyone would head off to bed, hearts brimming with Christmas joy and satisfaction.

A Feast of Tradition

Preparing the Christmas meal in Denmark is an event in itself, often taking at least half a day, followed by hours of feasting. Even today, Danish families remain fiercely loyal to their traditional dishes, and any attempt to replace them with modern alternatives is met with great resistance!

We always enjoyed succulent roasted duck, slow cooked for hours with prunes and apples, crispy pork roast (flæskesteg), and occasionally turkey. Side dishes included caramelized potatoes, sweet red cabbage, tangy cucumber salad, red fruit compote, and liters of the richest brown gravy.

Dessert was risalamande, a creamy rice pudding with a hidden almond. The finder of the almond won a special prize – but had to keep it secret until everyone finished eating. It was a serious sport, and despite already being stuffed, we all had seconds (or thirds) of the pudding with its luscious warm cherry sauce. Tradition demanded no less.

The Festive Season Begins Early

By November, the Christmas preparations were already underway. We baked endless batches of cookies – vaniljekranse, jødekager, pebernødder, and klejner . We made marzipan and nougat treats, rolled oat truffles, and more. Gifts, bought months in advance, were wrapped and hidden, though we kids often found them and tried to guess their contents without revealing what we’d discovered.

One highlight was a special package from my Norwegian grandmother and German grandfather, filled with unique Christmas treats like German stollen and Norwegian gjetost. Shopping for gifts in small villages or decorated cities, particularly Copenhagen, was a magical experience. Thousands of Christmas lights, beautifully adorned windows, and festive music filled the air with joy.

A Snowy Hunt for the Perfect Tree

Days before Christmas, we ventured into the snowy woods with our father to choose and cut down the perfect Christmas tree. The snow crunched beneath our boots as we bundled up in warm snowsuits and ran through the woods. It was always a white Christmas back then, or so it seemed in my childhood memories.

We spent hours throwing snowballs and laughing before finding the tallest, most harmonious Nordmann fir tree – one that reached the ceiling at home. Watching our strong father chop it down with his axe was awe-inspiring, and we all helped drag it through the snow, secure it to the car roof, and bring it home.

The Big Day

On Christmas Eve morning, the tree was set up in the living room, and we all helped decorate it with the most beautiful ornaments. The presents were placed underneath, Christmas music filled the house, and we indulged in sweets and cookies, as time seemed to crawl for us children.

By early afternoon, we bathed and dressed in our finest holiday outfits. After a cozy church service in the village – where the church, unusually packed, glowed with warmth – we returned home to watch Disney’s Christmas cartoons. Finally, at 6 p.m., the grand Christmas dinner began.

A Season of Memories

It’s been nearly 50 years since those magical Christmases, and though my parents and grandparents are no longer with us, I often think back on those times with fondness as December approaches.

As a family, we strive to keep many of these traditions alive and pass them on to the next generation.



I wish you all a truly blessed Christmas, wherever in the world you may be.