Norwegian Christmas, or jul, is a pleasure to rejoice. Whereas a number of the traditions for Christmas in Norway are harking back to the Danish Christmas celebration, there are such a lot of which might be distinctive to the nation and tradition. To not point out the panorama; it’s pure magic to be surrounded by mountains and assured snow, North Pole-style. So how will we rejoice Christmas in Norway? There’s music, truffles, and normally, a blanket of gleaming snow embracing the panorama.
There are lots of cultural phenomena tied to Christmas in Norway. Ski leaping is a must-watch on tv, as are “Jul I Blåfjell,” a preferred youngsters’s program, and “Flåklypa Grand Prix” an animated movie about an inventor and his animal pals. Children and adults alike have the benefit of these traditions, bringing generations collectively within the identify of this beloved vacation.
However not every thing is geared in the direction of the children! Julebord, the Norwegian Christmas get together usually held with household, pals, or colleagues (and an individual might attend many julebord in a single yr), is thought to be considerably of a boozy affair. Which may be altering barely, as you’ll learn beneath, however the events are nonetheless fan favorites for the gang that likes a great beer or two with their meals.
So what’s Christmas actually all about in Norway? Let’s take a deep dive into why this time of yr is so distinctive within the far north.
Uncover the traditions, meals, decorations, and songs that that make celebrating Christmas in Norway so particular:
What to eat throughout Christmas in Norway?
Julebord
JulebordJulebord (Christmas get together) is without doubt one of the nice Christmas traditions in Norway. Within the months earlier than Christmas, you collect along with pals, colleagues or household to eat all day and evening. It appears that evidently the primary purpose for the night is to get so drunk that you just (nearly) can’t discover your approach dwelling. This can be a related custom to the Danish Julefrokost.
Julebord dishes embrace Pinnekjøtt (stick meat) and the rømmegrøt (bitter cream porridge); you’ll see extra on them beneath.
If you end up in sure components of western Norway, you could be served smalahove, a dish made from a whole sheep’s head.
Pinnekjøtt and rømmegrøt
Pinnekjøtt and rømmegrøtPinnekjøtt (stick meat) and the rømmegrøt (bitter cream porridge) are the 2 most Norwegian Christmas meals accessible.
Pinnekjøtt is lamb or mutton and the preparation generally is a actually lengthy course of. Curing, drying and typically smoking is finished earlier than the meat is soaked in water and steamed on birch sticks over water in a big saucepan.
The rømmegrøt is just like Danish risengrød or Ris a l’Amande. It’s a sweetened porridge topped with a knob of butter and cinnamon, and is eaten scorching. Norwegians like it, and with components like that it’s straightforward to see why!
Norwegian meals on Christmas Eve
Norwegian meals on Christmas EveThe principle Christmas celebration in Norway is on Christmas Eve (julaften) on the twenty fourth of December. What do Norwegians eat on Christmas Eve? Maybe an important, conventional dish is ribbe (roasted pork stomach). Different dishes you’ll usually discover on the desk embrace juletorsk (Christmas cod), pinnekjøtt, kohlrabi, and risengrynsgrøt (rice pudding) for a tasty dessert.
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Left: Conventional Norwegian christmas Dinner Ribbe Roast Pork Stomach; Proper: Risengrynsgrøt (rice pudding)
Julekaker
JulekakerJulekaker is a basic time period for Christmas sweets. Norwegian julekaker are beloved by younger and previous alike; it simply wouldn’t be Christmas with out the sweets! Whereas there’s an nearly innumerable listing, the preferred ones are:
Julekake |
A bread-like cake spiced with cardamom and cinnamon that has raisins, almonds, and candied fruits. It is usually referred to as julebrød (Christmas bread). |
Pepperkaker |
Nothing says Christmas like gingerbread cookies. These are a staple throughout Norwegian Christmas, and sometimes have almond slivers combined into the dough. They incessantly are available in enjoyable shapes like stars. |
Krumkaker |
a cookie that’s additionally a vessel (probably to carry different cookies!)? Genius! These skinny crunchy cookies are created from waffle batter and are rolled right into a cone form. |
Serinakaker |
These scrummy little almond butter cookies are precisely proper for dipping in tea or espresso. Don’t be stunned when a complete plate disappears rapidly; they’re extraordinarily moreish (as in, you’ll preserve wanting extra). |
Rosettbakkels |
It’s a cookie, nevertheless it’s deep-fried! The very best of all worlds, actually. Made utilizing particular rosette irons, these biscuits have a scrumptious, crispy shell created by the frying course of. |
Fattigman |
Also called klejne, Angel Wings, or Poor Man cookies, these knot-shaped doughnuts will not be too candy, however ship a deliciously indulgent crunch and fluffy inside. |
Norwegian Christmas songs, movie, and tv
“O Jul med din Glede”
“O Jul med din Glede”“O Jul med din Glede” (“Oh Christmas together with your Pleasure”) is certainly one of my favourite Norwegian Christmas carols. It’s thought-about a children’ music, however the pleasure of it makes grown-ups sing alongside too. And singing isn’t sufficient: you should do the strikes! Because the lyrics say: clap your arms, sing and snigger, and curtsey and bow.
“O Jul med din Glede” Hymn Phrases with English Translation of Lyrics
| O jul med din glede og barnlige lyst vi ønsker deg alle velkommen; vi hilser deg alle med jublende røst titusinde gange velkommen! Refreng: Vi klapper i hendene, I Østerlands vise, I tre vise menn, Refreng Så rekker jeg deg nå med glede min hånd, Refreng Om stormen den tuter og sneen vi ser Refreng Når en gang vi samles i himlenes sal Refreng |
O Christmas together with your pleasure and childlike delight we welcome you all; we greet you all with a jubilant voice ten thousand occasions welcome! Refrain We clap our arms, In Østerland’s present, in three clever males, Refrain Then I’ll attain you now with pleasure my hand, Refrain In regards to the storm it honks and the snow we see Refrain As soon as we collect within the corridor of heaven Refrain |
Flåklypa Grand Prix
Flåklypa Grand PrixThis animated film from 1975 (referred to as Pinchcliffe Grand Prix in English) has a mythic standing in Norway. Children in addition to grown-ups love to look at it through the Christmas vacation on Norwegian tv. It’s thought-about a must-watch, and I perceive why!
The plot: an inventor and his pals, a penguin and a hedgehog, construct a race automobile for an oil sheik. A bit bizarre? Sure! However this film is superb.
The music, written by the Danish composer Bent Fabricius-Bjerre, is nice. A couple of band has been impressed; you may recognise the title melody within the Norwegian hip-hop duo Multicyde’s “Not for the Dough” from 1999 or Blue’s “All Rise” from 2001.
Skihopp
SkihoppNorwegians love snowboarding and ski leaping like nobody else on this planet. Winter is the excessive season for snowboarding and you may watch it on tv all Christmas, in order for you. The grand finale is the Ski Leaping World Cup in Oslo’s Holmenkollen on the first of January. Even when you don’t know the principles or any of the rivals, you may really feel Norway’s enthusiasm for this nationally-beloved sporting occasion (and people jumps are AMAZING!).
Listed here are final yr’s girls’s winner:
Jul I Blåfjell (Christmas within the Blue Mountain)
Jul I Blåfjell (Christmas within the Blue Mountain)This Norwegian Christmas TV-show has been extraordinarily common with youngsters since its premiere in 1999. Children have the enjoyment of watching one episode per day from the first to the twenty fourth of December. Jul I Blåfjell (Christmas within the Blue Mountain) is an excellent Christmas fairytale that, in true Norwegian fashion, contains pixies sporting blue Christmas hats.
Tre Nøtter til Askepott (Three Needs for Cinderella)
Tre Nøtter til Askepott (Three Needs for Cinderella)In what is maybe certainly one of Norway’s most charming and inexplicable traditions, it’s a must-do to look at a 1973 Czech model of “Cinderella” that has been dubbed into Norwegian. By a single voice all through the entire movie. Sure, you learn that proper. The movie is performed at 11 am on Christmas Eve, making it the best option to begin the day. The whole movie is out there on YouTube and we positively advocate it!
Norwegian Christmas Decorations
Norwegian Christmas DecorationsIt’s typical to DIY your individual Christmas decorations across the dwelling; it’s a really private and inventive factor. Pixies made out of bathroom paper rolls are proudly on show. This home made facet actually showcases how children are the main focus of Christmas. The adventsstake is quite common, in addition to hanging stars lights within the window.
One ornament that’s positioned exterior of the house is julenek (sheaves of wheat). These are held on timber for the birds to eat. Throughout Christmas in Norway, everybody, even the birds, ought to have a great meal!
A traditional present in most Swedish and Norwegian properties, this (usually crimson) candleholder provides a touch of nostalgia to any desk. It’s easy but playful, and positively declares Christmas has arrived. It’s often known as a Swedish Candelabra, or en julstake.
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Norwegian Christmas Candlestick Bridge
The Norwegian Christmas Tree in London
The Norwegian Christmas Tree in LondonRight here’s a enjoyable reality for you! If you happen to’ve ever been to London at Christmas time, you’ve probably seen the large Christmas tree in Trafalgar Sq.. That tree, all dressed up with Norwegian decorations, is a present to London from town of Oslo. It was first despatched in 1947 as a thanks for Britain’s actions for Norway throughout WWII, and the custom has continued ever since. Discover out after they’ll gentle the tree right here.
When do Norwegians rejoice Christmas?
Christmas Eve in Norway
Christmas Eve (julaften) is the twenty fourth, and is the primary day of Christmas celebration in Norway. As a result of Norwegians imagine that the arrival of Christmas coincides with the arrival of evil witches and different spirits, there’s a custom of hiding all of the brooms in the home. Christmas Eve is when Julenissen (Santa Claus) brings presents to the kids, which they’re allowed to open after dinner.
Little Christmas Eve in Norway
Earlier than we get into “actual” Christmas, Norwegians usually maintain what’s termed “Little Christmas Eve” on twenty third December. That is the day when the baking will get executed, the home will get spiffed up, and the Christmas tree is adorned.
Christmas Day in Norway
Christmas Day (juledag) is widely known on the twenty fifth. For Norwegians, that is actually the second day of Christmas and is a bit much less intense than Christmas Eve. The presents have already been opened and many meals consumed, so today is about leisure, spending time with household or family members, and having fun with leftovers.
Between Christmas and New 12 months
From December twenty sixth to New 12 months’s Day is named romjul, and is a non-official vacation interval in Norway. Throughout this time, many take break day work; folks go away the cities for the mountains and fjords.
Do Norwegians go to Church on Christmas?
On Christmas Eve, (julaften), Norwegians flocks to church. Many Norwegians, Christian or not, go to church to fulfill with different locals and to sing Christmas carols earlier than the large Christmas dinner within the night.
Is Christmas a great time to go to Norway?
Properly, that depends upon what you wish to do! However when you’d prefer to expertise the cosiness and magic of Christmas in Norway, you’ll love visiting in December. Snowboarding – each alpine and cross nation – are common in Norway, so this can be a nice time for skiers to go to.
If you happen to’re extra fascinated about climbing, kayaking, or testing the Norwegian fjords, the summer time months are a neater time to go to.
Are you able to see the Northern Lights in Norway at Christmas or throughout December?
Sure, it’s doable to see the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) in Norway in December. If you happen to’re in southern Norway corresponding to Oslo or Bergen, you aren’t prone to see them. Head to the Arctic Circle for one of the best probability to see the Northern Lights. What an unbelievable Christmas reminiscence that might be!
Is it chilly in December in Norway?
Sure! It’s very chilly and normally snowy too. It isn’t, nonetheless, the coldest month – that honor falls to January and February.
Common temperatures in December for the entire nation are 0 – 5 levels Celsius, however after all it’s colder the additional north you get. Common rainfall for the month is 265 mm, making it one of many rainiest months in Norway.
Need to study different Scandinavian Christmas traditions? Discover out about Danish and Swedish ones too!
