Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve, Juleaften, is the emotional and domestic centre of Danish Christmas. Families eat the main dinner, sing and dance around a decorated tree, then open gifts on December 24 rather than Christmas morning. The Nordic custom reflects the older practice of beginning a feast on the preceding evening. Church attendance is also exceptionally high: Christmas Eve became an official worship day in the Church of Denmark’s 1992 service book, although the Nativity feast itself is Christmas Day.

Dinner commonly features roast duck or pork, boiled and caramelised potatoes, gravy and red cabbage. Dessert is risalamande, cold rice pudding folded with cream and almonds. One whole almond is hidden; whoever finds it wins the mandelgave and may conceal the discovery to prolong suspense. Families join hands around the illuminated tree to sing hymns and popular songs before distributing presents.

December 24 is not technically one of Denmark’s church holidays, and a universal employment right to leave does not follow. Nevertheless, banks close, many agreements grant the day off, and the Closing Act generally restricts retail sales for the whole day, subject to exemptions. Transport and remaining shops reduce hours sharply. A weekend occurrence creates no substitute day. Christmas Day follows as the formal holiday.