Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Officially Christmas???

Being his father was Jehovah's Witness, my Norwegian husband has never celebrated Christmas nor have I experienced it here in Norway. Thus I don't completely have a hold on the season's traditions but here are some observations nonetheless.

Christmas is not just 1 day here. It is AT LEAST a month long.
- it starts the first Sunday in December when the first advent candle is lit
- there is a lot to get done- cleaning every nook and cranny of the house, changing the curtains and other decor because everything must be RED, baking the 7 types of cookies for Christmas dinner, building a gingerbread house, making an advent calendar for each child with a gift for each day (fun!!!), homemade pork and ham rolls, gløgg and so much more!!!

December 13
- Santa Lucia Day, only some Norwegians celebrate this while it is a must in Sweden...hey, any excuse to add light to this dark period is worth it!

December 23
- the fun begins
- this day actually has a name- Little Christmas Eve
- today many families decorate the tree (a real tree usually), they often have little Norwegian flags strung around it, and eat rice porridge (one lucky eater will get the almond and have a year of good luck), saving the leftovers for the following day

December 24
- other families decorate the tree on this day
- families gather for a big meal together consisting of steamed dried lamb ribs (pinnekjøtt), roasted fresh ham (ribbe) and rutabaga or lutefisk, dessert being the left over rice porridge whipped with cream and topped with a raspberry sauce
- in the evening gifts will be open

Dec 25 thru New Year's Eve
- Christmas continues...many people have off work so there are still Christmas dinners, parties, kid's activities, etc.
- Dec 25 is called the FIRST day of Christmas
- Dec 26 the SECOND day of Christmas

Jan 13
- you better have your lights and tree down by this day because Christmas is officially over!

1 comment:

tekeal said...

that's so funny... I was just thinking today that Christmas should be a month long!! so as to take the stress off of preparing for one day of celebrating. that's my theory w birthdays- I celebrate my birthday month... take care!