Danish Christmas

Danish Christmas

What is a Danish Christmas like?

Some of the snow-covered, fir tree-decorated habits we have in this little kingdom are pretty similar to the other countries of Scandinavia – Norway and Sweden.

And then there are the ones that are just ours…

In common with much of Europe (but not the UK), Denmark celebrates Christmas on December 24, Christmas Eve. Traditionally, that means eating an elaborate Christmas dinner in the evening and opening presents, often late into the night, afterwards.

In Denmark, the name for Christmas is “jul”.
The way to say “Merry Christmas” in Danish is a simple six-letter thing: “God Jul”.

 

Braided heart

Braided Heart: A Timeless Symbol of Danish Tradition and Sustainability

Embrace the Heart of Danish Heritage with Ugly Duckli

Discover the enchanting allure of the Braided Heart, a quintessential emblem of Danish culture, reimagined by Ugly Duckli. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, our ornaments celebrate the timeless tradition of pleated hearts, a cherished pattern deeply rooted in the heart of Denmark and Scandinavia.

Sustainability Meets Heritage

Ugly Duckli is committed to sustainability, intertwining the essence of Danish heritage with the future. Our Braided Hearts are meticulously crafted from 100% durable, high-quality metal, ensuring that they are not only a nod to tradition but also a step towards a kinder future. As a testament to our dedication, Ugly Duckli has embraced numerous initiatives, including minimizing waste and focusing on high-quality, reusable products, to reduce our carbon footprint and uphold our green ethos.

Braided Hearts: A Tribute to Hans Christian Andersen

Inspired by the legendary Hans Christian Andersen, our Braided Heart ornaments pay homage to a tradition that Andersen himself cherished. These ornaments, traditionally crafted from glossy paper and filled with sweets or affectionate notes, now find a new expression in durable metal, ready to adorn your Christmas tree and create memories for generations to come.

Choose Your Symbol of Love and Tradition

Ugly Duckli offers the Braided Heart in two sizes:

Why Ugly Duckli's Braided Hearts?

  • Sustainable Luxury: Crafted from durable metal, our ornaments are a sustainable alternative to disposable decorations.
  • Deep-Rooted Tradition: Each Heart is a celebration of Danish heritage, bringing the warmth of Scandinavian Christmas to your home.
  • Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen: Embrace the fairy-tale charm with decorations inspired by one of Denmark’s most beloved storytellers.

Join us at Ugly Duckli in celebrating the magic of Christmas with a touch of Danish tradition and a commitment to a sustainable future. Explore our collection and find the perfect Braided Heart to adorn your festive celebrations.

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Even more Braided Heart guidance for you.. smiling. 
Here are some additional external links that you might find helpful:

  1. Jolablot - Braided Christmas Heart | How To Make Them - Step by Step: A guide on how to make traditional Danish decorations. Visit Jolablot.
  2. Sweet Distance - How to make Danish braided Christmas heart decorations: Offers a template and instructions for making Danish decorations. Visit Sweet Distance.
  3. Mama In The Now - How to Make a Woven Danish Christmas Heart Craft: A detailed guide on creating woven Danish Christmas heart crafts, perfect for involving kids in the tradition. Visit Mama In The Now.

Please also refer to our Ugly Duckli guidance on how to fold a paper heart.

These links provide tutorials and insights into  braiding hearts, a beautiful and traditional Scandinavian Christmas decoration.

Easy inspiration...

Scandinavian Christmas heart

Small flat woven heart ornament

Scandinavian Christmas heart

Large flat woven heart ornament

Scandinavian Christmas heart

Small woven heart basket

Scandinavian Christmas heart

Large woven heart basket

Scandinavian Christmas heart

Golden eight pointed star

Scandinavian Christmas heart

Drum with drumsticks

Scandinavian Christmas heart

Cone with woven imprint

Scandinavian Christmas heart

DIY woven paper heart kit

Candles and dancing around the Christmas tree

It’s a tradition in Danish houses to dance around the Christmas tree, holding hands as a family while you sing Christmas songs, before you start opening presents. Some families might do this before dinner instead.

The Danish Christmas tree is a special treat! You might have cut down a spruce tree yourself from the forest, that you set-up in your lounge and decorate with real candles. Real candles are an essential item for Christmas hygge – and we often burn an advent candle for a few hours a day through December too.

Father Christmas

In Denmark, Santa Claus is named “Julemanden” (literally: “The Christmas man”). He is assisted by a group of Nisse, a sort of naughty elf. Presents are brought for children by “Julemanden” and he arrives on December 24 to distribute them. In real life, he is typically one of the family (an uncle, dad og grandad) dressed up in traditional red robes.

The Danish Christmas dinner

We take Christmas dinner seriously. Traditionally, you will be sat at a table for a good few hours, eating a meal of roast port and duck plus boiled potetoes, red cabbage and gravy. “Risalamande” is the big Christmas dessert, a rice pudding topped with cherry sauce where a whole almond will be hiding. The family member who finds the almond in their bowl gets a prize or extra present.

The lady with the candles in her hair

That’s Santa Lucia. She arrives, dressed in white, in Denmark on December 13 to bring light to what is becoming a very dark land. She leads a procession of girls, also dressed in white, and has a crown of candles in her hair. Instead of a nativity play in schools, many children look forward to taking part in the parade through their school or in their local area.

At Ugly Duckli, we offer various Danish Christmas Hans Christian Andersen experiences. Another place to seek inspiration could be VisitDenmark. Warmly welcome!

 

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