Conference turris::scandia

494.0. "Danish Christmas" by TLE::SAVAGE () Mon Dec 16 1991 15:01

    From: [email protected] (Stephen Mork)
    Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
    Subject: Re: Christmas in Denmark
    Date: 12 Dec 91 00:18:36 GMT
    Sender: [email protected]
    Organization: Bell-Northern Research Ltd.
 
   In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] (Lisa Arruda) writes:

   |>
   |>I'm moving to Denmark in a few weeks with my Danish fiance.  We will be 
   |>staying with his parents while we find an apartment, and  our furniture 
   |>(and other household stuff) is in transit.  
   |>
   |>I have not met his parents in person, although I have spoken with them on 
   |>the phone and we have exchanged letters and pictures quite frequently.  
   |>This is my first Christmas in Denmark... and I was wondering if anyone 
   |>would be so kind as to share some information about the customs around 
   |>this holiday!
   |>
   |>For instance, my fiance tells me that most people celebrate Christmas on 
   |>the 24th of December.   That evening they gather around the Christmas tree 
   |>sing songs, drink a lot, eat dinner, open gifts, etc.  Then on the 25 they 
   |>get together again and have a smorgasbord.  I know that every family 
   |>celebrates holidays with their own family traditions ....  Maybe someone 
   |>out there would like to share them.  
   |>
   |>I must say I am both excited and nervous about relocating to Denmark!  My 
   |>Danish is very limited... I hope I can understand what is going on without 
   |>my fiance having to translate everything!  
   |>
   |>Thanks for your time.   Lisa
                       
    Hi! You're very lucky to be able to spend Christmas with a danish
    family.  Christmas is, as in the States, a time of "togetherness". Soon
    you will know the meaning of "hygge", because the entire month of
    december is  devoted to common cozy Christmas activities: all kids have
    a "Christmas calendar" that corresponds to a TV show every night; heaps
    of butter- cookies are being eaten and stowed away; every Sunday night
    in December  another candle on the "advent wreath" is being lit up, so
    by the Sunday before  Christmas all four candles are alight; The Sunday
    prior to christmas (which is on dec. 24 in DK) many families take a
    trip out to a christmas tree farm  to cut down their tree; most
    school-classes arrange a christmas party for  the parents where some
    kids and parents cut out christmas decorations from different types of
    (believe this?) CHRISTMAS PAPER!, while others bake  cookies and
    "aebleskiver" and heat up red wine and "concentrate" for the christmas
    drink "glogg" (hot red wine, cinnamom sticks, raisins, almonds, 
    cloves, ect.). 
 
    Anyway, before i get too lost in sweet childhood memories I'd better
    finish off with a few hints on customs and how to deal with them. 

    1) Don't ever reject any food you haven't tried before. Eat less of
    each kind and let them know what you think. (this includes the rye
    bread as well).

    2) Smile and look like you're enjoying yourself even if you don't
    always  understand what the hell is going on.

    3) Proper table manners are going to be expected of you at any eating
    session. therefore, learn the knife & fork procedures beforehand
    (unless, of course,  you have a strong urge to see a danish
    emergency-room while you're there-   just kidding!).

    4) Remember the pickled herrings don't have eyes anymore, the veal
    tongue has no saliva on it, and the blood sausage IS made with animal
    blood!

    5) No, I did not mean to startle you. Danish families are very
    understanding as long as no insults are made towards ancient customs
    and family traditions.

    6) EAT, DRINK and be happy, and I'm sure every experience will be a
    pleasure. 

    7) Finally, have a nice journey, best of luck, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!(say
    hi!)
 
    Camilla ,the Californian Convert from Copenhagen.

 
Here is the traditional Scandinavian Christmas drink, Glogg, or for 
those of you in Scandinavia, Gl�gg. Swedish in origin, it is 
very popular in Denmark.

 
Ingredients:
 
	1 liter of "wine" (red port, or red wine)
	1 liter of "spirits" (rum, brandy, or equiv.)
	1.5 liter of water
	4-5 dl of "sugar" (caramel, brown sugar or plain sugar)

        NOTE: If you don't like STRONG glogg replace the spirits
              with another liter of wine.
 
Spices: 
 
	peel one half orange, tear into pieces
	approx. 16 cm of cinnamon stick (bark), broken into several pieces
	8 green cardamom pods
	3 tsp. sliced almonds
	16 whole cloves
	handful of raisins
	8 whole all-spice


Other:  

        Lots of peeled, chopped almonds (at least 300 grams)
        500 grams raisins

 
Procedure:

        Let chopped almonds and raisins soak overnight together 
        with the liter of "spirits" (or the substitute wine) in 
        a covered bowl. 

        Strain the spirits, saving both the spirits and the
        almonds/raisins. 
 
	In a 4 liter pot, bring the water to a low boil, 
	add sugar.
 
	When sugar is dissolved, add spices and continue at a low
	boil for about 15 minutes.
 
	Mix in the liter of wine. Mix in the liter of spirits 
        (or the extra liter of wine). 
 
	Turn burner down to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15
	minutes.
 
	Turn off burner, and let sit (soak) for 2-3 hours.
 
	Strain off spices and save - spices can be reused
	once more.



How to drink:
 
	Warm the glogg again until very hot, but not boiling. Do not boil! 

        Serve in warmed glasses with lots of raisins and chopped almonds 
        in each glass. 

        Have spoons (for the raisins/almonds) and lots of napkins handy.

        Don't drink and drive!

    Re: .1 by COPCLU::GEOFFREY:
    
    For more receipes and information on gl�gg, see note 23.