Posted by Naomi on Dec 16, 2009 in
Danish traditions St Lucia’s Day is celebrated on 13 December. On Tuesday evening all the children at Hugo’s preschool performed the St Lucia song for parents and grandparents. Actually Hugo told me he didn’t want to go because he didn’t know the song and he didn’t want to sing it so I encouraged him to stay with the other kids even if he didn’t want to sing. As it happened NONE of the children sang, but the teachers did a great job haha.
One of the anomalies of living in Australia is that we have a very “European” idea of Christmas, with snow and reindeer and candles and all those seasonally inappropriate things. It’s actually much easier to understand Christmas from a European experience. To have good food, candles, bright trees, gifts and a festival of light in the midst of long, dark nights and short, dark days is something to celebrate and look forward to.
Posted by Naomi on Dec 12, 2009 in
Danish traditions 
Lights at Tivoli, taken at 4pm (by which time, it’s basically dark).
It’s no secret that I’m not that keen on Danish food. Rollmops? Eww. Chocolate sandwiches? Blech. But …. we went to a restaurant in Tivoli which is known for it’s traditional Christmas meal (Julefrokost) and it. was. delicious! I *think* it’s basically roast pork, potatoes and redcabbage which sounds a bit … bleh … actually but to eat OH YUM!! And followed by delicious rice pudding (I am a BIG fan of rice pudding).**
Also, at Christmas time they make the æbelskiver (I think that’s how it’s spelt), it means apple slices. It’s basically a spherical pancake and it is YUMMY! I need to learn how to make these! Hugo in particular is very fond of them, dipped in jam and powdered sugar.
** To add, we subsequently were lucky enough to share in home made Julefrokost with one of Simon’s colleagues and it was even better, so so delicious!
Posted by Naomi on Dec 4, 2009 in
Danish traditions Hugo’s preschool had a Christmas Tree festival on Thursday. All the parents were invited and the kids decorated the trees and consumed copious amounts of æbelskiver.
I have to say, until now, we really haven’t had much to do with “Santa”. It’s really just never come up in a significant way. However, Santa (or Julemanden, the Danish equivalent) is a huge thing at preschool. Hugo ASSURES me that they met the REAL julemanden at preschool. So at an age when most children are starting to get skeptical, he is suddenly starting to believe it. Sophie just hangs off everything Hugo tells her so she’ll be interested for as long as he is.