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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!



This article is going to cover the traditional elements of Christmas in Norway. Please keep in mind that every family will celebrate differently, so while these should be the basics of every family – if the Norwegian family you know or are celebrating with don’t partake, you will at least know about them.



Let’s start with Pre-Christmas preparations and celebrations. This is the time before December 22.

If you come from America like I do, advent candles 250x187 Christmas in NorwayI find that the decorating starts much later then what I am accustomed too. Stores in Norway will generally start having out Christmas decor near the end of November. Another shock to me in my first Christmas in Norway was the amount of the color purple used. Of course they use green and red, but purple is a very large color in the Christmas season – it has a lot to do with Advent. Advent is the four Sundays before Christmas, it is a time of preparation for the birthday of Christ – Christmas. Purple is the color of anticipation and preparation, and typically families will have 4 purple candles to light during this season – one lit each Sunday.

You will also start to see Advent Calendars in the storecandy calendar 250x166 Christmas in Norway – these are generally small cardboard boxes with doors to open for each day, and behind the door lies a small gift (generally chocolate). It is also common to make your own Advent Calendar – this can be done by 1) individually wrapping 24 small presents and numbering them, 2) hanging small stockings on a string with the presents inside, or 3) hanging a quilt or homemade wall hanging with pockets to hold the gifts. I have seen some very creative Advent Calendars, I think it is a nice Christmas warm-up and is great to hold the little ones over til the coming of Santa. Read more about Advent here.

Starting in December you will see Nøtterøy 250x375 Christmas in Norwayhouses being decorated – it is quite common for houses to be completely transformed – but on the inside. Towels in the kitchen and bathroom will be changed to Christmas ones, some people change their curtains, table and wall decorations will be changed or given a bow. Candles will be lit in window, and candy bowls will appear. From what I have observed, you will not find too many houses with many christmas lights on outside – generally if you do they will be white lights too, of course there are exceptions. In speaking with Norwegians, I have been told that the natural look is the best for this season – in other words – they don’t like lots of lights strung around everywhere making it feel fake. One very nice thing that I enjoy seeing when it comes to outdoor decorating – which is not specific to Christmas, it is just seen more in this season due to the snow – are snølykt. Snølykt are snow lanterns – you place an outdoor candle in the snow and basically build a cone over it with snow balls.

There will also be school or church Christmas parties for the kids, these are often called Nisse Parties. Nisse is the Christmas Elf, and the children dress in red robes with white trimmings and have their Pepperkaker 250x167 Christmas in Norwaycheeks painted rosy red – sometimes freckles too. Children will sing and dance around the tree – and of course Santa will come for a visit with small gifts (generally clementines, raisins, and small candies). You will know Santa has arrived when there is a loud knock on the door – children will sing a song to invite him in. Another thing happening at schools and around town for the kids are Juleverksted – Christmas Workshops. Here kids can make Christmas baskets, trees and wreaths; along with many other arts and crafts. Gingerbread houses can be constructed and decorated as well.

Pre-Christmas there is also lots of baking. Pepperkaker (gingerbread cookies) are a huge hit in Norway, and children love to decorate them. Many will make the “Seven Sorts” cookies, cakes, and other treats to have for the celebrations.

Next there is December 23juletre 250x187 Christmas in Norway.
Traditionally speaking, the 23rd is when you decorate your tree. The whole family joins in to decorate the tree – real trees are preferred. I personally like that this happens so late in the game, as we travel up north to be with the family and this allows us to be in on the fun! Hot chocolate and gingerbread are served and the tree is decorated. There will probably be strings of Norwegian flags added to the tree. Generally the lights will be white, again this goes with the natural look which in the old days were candles.

Christmas Eve – December 24presents 250x167 Christmas in Norway, the presents day!
In Norway, presents are exchanged on the 24th. The morning of the 24th generally has nothing special, family might visit or vice versa. Though there will be lots of cooking going on – ask to jump in to help if you want to learn more about the food, I am sure it will be a great cultural experience. There will be Church services in the evening, if you wish to attend. In the evening, you will dress up and around dinner time (typical Norwegian dinner time is 4 or 5 pm) sit down for a yummy meal! It seems that the whole country sits down in the evening to almost the same meal. There are some ribbe 250x166 Christmas in Norwaydifferences family to family, but in general the staples of the dinner are the same. Ribbe, julepølser, pinnekjøtt, lutefisk, kålrabi, potatoes, sauerkraut and more – Check out Lani’s article about Christmas Food to learn more!

During dinner, if you have little children they will be anxious! They know Santa (Julenisse) is coming after they eat, I have seen that a tiny gift before dinner works wonders to hold the little one over and allow everyone to enjoy the meal. After you have eaten dinner, coffee willjulenisse 250x175 Christmas in Norway be served with gingerbread and other cookies, cakes and candy. During this time, most will move to the living room or whichever room the Christmas tree is in and gather around it – sometimes songs are sung. Somewhere between dinner coming to an end and coffee being served Santa stops in for a visit. Children will be on the look out at the window when they can – might hear a small knock or the window, and when you do the kids will run to it. They will of course tell Santa to come in and if young and still in the spirit all but run out the door to bring him in. Santa might sing songs with you before he hands out presents. He will generally hand out one present to every person, but this will depend on the size of the group – kids of course will always get a gift from Santa. When Santa leaves, the regular presents under the tree will be opened. Some families visit other family members after gifts, others stay in for the night enjoying their new gifts.

Christmas Day – December 25
As an American this was the day for presents all growing up – but in Norway since we took care of that the night before, there is no waking at the crack of dawn to open presents and a chance to sleep in might be obtained. This day I feel is where every family has their own tradition. The great Norwegian family I am part of has a huge brunch with all the Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Grandparents – it is a great time for all the little kids to share and show off their new toys. Some families will meet for lunch, dinner, or make round to different family’s and friends’ houses. There are also Christmas Day Church services.

Second Christmas Day or Boxing Day – December 26
The second day of Christmas is also a public holiday – not too much will be open and flags will be raised proud. This is still a time of relaxing, enjoying your presents and spending time with friends and family.

Romjul (Space Christmas) – December 27-31
This is a time when smaller stores may still be closed while the bigger stores generally go back to their regular opening hours, most people will still be on holiday from work or out of town with family. This is a time to relax, play and enjoy the snow if you have it! BBQ’s, bonfires, and dinner with friends are very common.

13th day of Christmas – January 6
This day has many names: Three Kings Day, Epiphany, 13th day of Christmas. This is the day the Three Wise Men visited the baby Jesus, after following the star that led them to Him. This day in Scandinavia is often the day to take down your Christmas tree – many will chop it up for fire wood. Christmas decorations are packed up for next year.

One More Tradition
One tradition that seems to not be tied to a specific day is the Almond in the Grøtris. Some have this on for lunch on the 24th, as that seems the most common – but others have it at different times. Grøtris is rice pudding or porridge. You can buy a small box of this special rice to cook in milk – then you add sugar, butter and cinnamon. The fun part about this meal is that one dish you place an almond in, mix the bowls up and hand them out. Whoever gets the almond wins a prize! The prize varies some – but it could be the marzipan pig, a piece of candy, or a small present. Most commonly parents make sure that the almond gets in to the child’s bowl.

Where to find Christmas Items:

Fake Christmas Trees – These can be found at Clas Ohlsen, Biltema
Real Christmas Trees – These will be found in the pop up parking lot shops all around town. There is one in front of Kilden, and another outside Coop Obs in Mariero, in case you have not seen one.
Decorations – Nille, Clas Ohlsen, Søstrene Grene, Ikea

Any traditions that we have missed? Let us know your thoughts!

Christmas in Norway

About Fonda LaShay

Fonda is an American who has been living in Stavanger since July of 2008 with her Norwegian samboer. She enjoys tea, visiting with friends, music, taking photos and traveling. She loves the rain, but really dislikes when her feet get wet - this is always challenging since it rains so often in Stavanger. Follow Fonda LaShay on Google+ Fonda is a design blogger - blogging about design, architecture, photography, and music. Check out her blog!