Christmas Around the World: Norway
Day 3 of our ‘travels’ took us to…
Norway!
First, let me start off by saying that Norway is one of my top 5 bucket list places. Something about the cozy lights, mountains, and fjords makes me want to go so bad. (I will get there someday!) Learning about Christmas in Norway was a real treat! They sure know how to make it seem very magical.
Christmas in Norway is very traditional. They celebrate advent leading up to Christmas and put emphasis on cozy white lights and the color purple (candles, blankets, pillows, etc). They even use special red tape to mark off 24 square boxes on their house windows. Once advent is over, they get rid of the purple and switch to red decorations.
Norwegians celebrate Christmas on December 24, or Christmas Eve. This is the time they gather with family and feast and open gifts. They also have small celebrations on ‘Little Christmas Eve’, or December 23. Christmas Day is reserved for opening stockings, and church services. They spend most of Christmas Day relaxing quietly and reflecting on the true Christian meaning of Christmas.
Fun Facts
- To say Merry Christmas in Norwegian, you say “God Jul” (GOH YUHL), which means “Good Christmas”.
- On Little Christmas Eve (December 23), parents carry Christmas trees into their homes for the children to decorate with pretty paper chains and glass ornaments.
- Norwegians also celebrate Saint Lucia Day on December 13. Saint Lucia was a Christian who often fed the hungry.
- People in Norway make juleneks (YUH-le-neks) from stalks of grain. These are traditional symbols of Christmas. Juleneks are tied to trees and people believe that it is good luck for birds to eat the grain.
- Christmas decorations in Norway are very rustic and homemade. They include heart shaped baskets, branches, pinecones, straw, and tons of candles and white lights!
- Santa Clause is called Julenissen (YUH-le-ni-sen). Norwegian Santa, or Julenissen, is a mix of Santa and an elf called the nisse (NI-se). Julenissen has a long white beard and a long red cap. He lives in a stable and rides a ram!
- Sometimes, Norwegians tie their gifts to their Christmas tree branches rather than put them under the tree.
- Most people eat pork and boiled potatoes as their Christmas meal. Other popular dishes are lutefisk, which is a baked codfish soaked in lye, and sweet breads.
- Music and church bells fill the air at Christmastime in Norway! Church bells are a way to let people know Christmas Eve is starting!
- Many families sing and hold hands around the Christmas tree. Smaller families use dolls or stuffed toys to make their ‘circle’ large enough to reach around the tree!
What We Did
Rick Steves has a wonderful documentary showcasing Christmas around the world. You can watch the movie in it’s entirety, or you can find clips for each country on YouTube. We watched his clip on Norway here.
Another great video we found interesting is here.
Our library has some fun books about Christmas in Norway! I was very pleased with what they had to offer, so don’t forget to utilize your local resources.
Why Christmas has been a go-to resource for this unit study!
My girls made their country posters on their own, finding facts in our library books and the internet.
All Norwegian school children make a simple weaving craft out of red and green colored paper at Christmastime. Once finished, you fill your heart-shaped basket with candy! We found this idea here.
Our Final Project
Good Grud!
No, really…Good Grud! Ha. Grud is a Norwegian Christmas pudding. The recipe is as follows:
- Combine 2 quarts milk and 1 cup regular rice in top of a double boiler. Cook slowly over low heat until thick- approximately 2 hours.
- Add a pinch of salt and gently stir.
- Cover and cool.
- Carefully fold into rice mixture: 1 cup sugar (or more to taste), 2 tablespoons vanilla, and 2 cups whipped cream/topping.
- Spoon into individual dishes, cover, and chill. Be sure to hide an almond in one of the dishes!
This is traditionally served on Christmas Eve. Whoever finds the hidden nut wins a piece of candy! (Usually a piece of marzipan in the shape of a pig!)
I hope you like Christmas in Norway as much as we did!