Get to know the magic of Norwegian Christmas and Julenissen the elf. God Jul!

Santa Claus does not bring presents to Norwegian children, but a Christmas elf does. What’s his name?

Why does Norway give Great Britain a Christmas tree every year?

What can Norwegian Christmas beer be used for?

What classic decoration must not be missing on the tree?

Find out how Christmas is celebrated in Norway.

When is Christmas celebrated in Norway?

The term Jul is common throughout Scandinavia and refers to a period that lasts a few weeks in total. The whole period of Jul consists of five phases: advent, julaften, romjul, nyttår, and epiphany. Jul, therefore, follows the Christian calendar but has also retained several pre-Christian elements.

The primary day of Norwegian holidays is Christmas Day, or Julaften, when gifts are exchanged, and the whole family gathers for the main Christmas Eve meal. Christmas Eve is a much calmer affair.

Do you know Norwegian Christmas traditions?

Perhaps the most famous Christmas custom in Norway is the giant Christmas tree that Norway gives to Great Britain yearly. The tree is given as a thank-you for the help that the people of the United Kingdom gave to Norway during the Second World War. Where in London does the tree stand every year?

The traditional decoration of the Norwegian Christmas tree is small heart-shaped paper cups called julekurver. These are often filled with Norwegian flags and treats and hung on the tree.

For many families, Christmas traditions begin on December 23 by decorating the Christmas tree and making gingerbread called pepperkakes, often used to make a gingerbread house called pepperkakehus.

Who brings the children’s presents?

A tiny Julenissen elf with a long white beard and a red cap carries the presents in Norway. On December 24, he leaves presents under the Christmas tree. One serving of rice porridge should be put in a bowl in front of the house for a hungry Julenissen.

In Norwegian families, unwrapping presents is preceded by the traditional Christmas Eve dinner, holding hands, dancing around the Christmas tree, and singing various carols, including Så går vi rundt om en enebærbusk.

What is eaten in Norway at Christmas?

Christmas in Norway is associated with many different types of candy and other sweets. One of the most popular is a dessert called Julekake, which resembles our Christmas and contains raisins, candied bark, and cardamom.

Another substantial dish is risengrynsgrøt, or rice pudding, which is eaten on Christmas Day for lunch, served with butter, sugar, and cinnamon, or as a dessert for the leading evening meal, served with whipped cream. If you find an almond in your portion, you will traditionally receive a pink or white marzipan pig.

The most popular Christmas Eve dinner is ribbe, a surkalem, pork ribs, or pork belly on the bone, served with white or red sauerkraut, potatoes, and a special beer sauce.

Pinnekjøtt, or dried or salted lamb ribs, lutefisk, pickled cod, baked ham, and turkey are also frequent dishes. Many Norwegians like to have Christmas beer juleøl and gløgg, a spiced drink similar to mulled wine, with their meals. 

How to prepare Norwegian Christmas sauce for pork belly or ribs?

If you, too, are one of those who admire the roast pork, you can try this traditional Norwegian Christmas sauce.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups Norwegian Christmas beer or other dark beer
• 2 cups of beef broth
• 3 tablespoons of butter
• 3 tablespoons of flour
• 1/4 orange
• 1/4 apple
• 5 prunes
• 2 whole cloves
• 3 balls of allspice
• pinch of salt
• a pinch of pepper

Method:

1. Melt the butter.
2. Once the butter stops bubbling, add the flour and stir until the mixture turns a nutty brown color.
3. Add the hot stock a little at a time, mixing well between each addition.
4. Cut the orange and apple into slices and wedges.
5. Add them to the sauce along with the prunes, whole cloves, allspice, and beer.
6. Cook for approximately 20 minutes.
7. Filter the sauce through a colander and add salt and pepper to taste.

If desired, whisk in a tablespoon of cold butter to make the sauce glossy before serving.

What places to visit in Norway at Christmas?

In Norway, you are highly likely to have a white Christmas. In addition, all the cities are beautifully decorated and illuminated, which you will appreciate not only because of the polar nights.

• Oslo, the capital of Norway, offers the Winter Wonderland Christmas market in the city center from mid-November. This market includes stalls selling typical Christmas delicacies and an ice rink. A unique Christmas market is held at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, where you can experience Christmas in different historical periods. 

• Bergen – the narrow streets of this old Hanseatic city are a wonderful setting to get into the Christmas spirit. The giant Christmas market can be found at Torgallmenningen Square. The city is also home to the largest gingerbread town in the world.

• Tromsø – is the ideal place for everyone who wants to get to know arctic winter and nature. Reindeer herds and a dog sled trip under the aurora borealis create a Christmas atmosphere.