Christmas Traditions My Norwegian Family and Friends Love

There are some traditions that we embrace as a culture or a nation and others that we have in smaller groups like family traditions. All are really important for our identities either as a nation or in our own little family group. Christmas is time for many countries in Europe ad beyond where traditions really matter. It feels important to be doing the same things that our parents, grandparents and further back did and to do them in the same way and at the same time. Ir reminds us of our roots.

In my family we have the benefit of two cultures - Norwegian and English - and so it's fun to combine these two cultures to make a family culture that embraces both traditions.

Living in Norway menas that we often choose Nordic traditions and for me, Christmas really does feel terribly Nordic with the dark pine forests, long nights, candles, snow and reindeer.

I'd like to invite you for a peek into my life in Norway at Christmas and the traditions that my family and Norwegian friends enjoy in December:

Pepperkaker Verksted (Gingerbread Making)

It's not properly Christmas until we have had a gingerbread making workshop. That might sound very industrious and like we will be churning lots of gingerbread, rather like Samta's elves, but the reality is a little different! With a bunch of kids amongst us it can become a little chaotic. This year my friend Shira and her husband hosted the pepperkakeverksted at their house. Shira made delicious cakes for us all, hot chocolate with lots of cream and marshmallows and plenty of gløgg. The table had been beautifully laid with fresh gingerbread dough and all the things the little ones would need to decorate. We all loved rolling out gingerbread, cooking it and decorating. It gets a little messy, I have to admit, but spending a relaxed afternoon surrounded by Christmas decorations and lovely friends with no pressure is a great way to start the holiday season.

The Christmas Party

This is usually my family's job to host. It's fun to have an informal gathering with simple snacks, delicious drinks and gentle chatter and companionship. As my sister-in-law generally hosts the big event at Christmas I feel like this our way of contributing and bringing the family together.

Christmas Markets

Every small town and village has its own Christmas market in Norway. They start at the end of November and I try to go to as many as possible. Not only do they fill us with festive cheer, but it's a chance to buy locally made gifts that are really beautiful like handmade gloves, scarves and hats, homemade cakes and honey and gorgeous decor that you will not find anywhere else. Norwegians are very good at supporting local producers and understanding that handmade artisanal products are not cheap t make but can last a lot longer than the commercial stuff.

Advent parade

The first Sunday in Advent is a bit of an event in Norway. Norway might be a secular country where very few people actually go to church, but the celebration of that first Sunday in Advent is important. It unites communities with candle lighting, small parades and the lighting of the Christmas tree. In my little village we gather together to sing, light enormous candles and then walk through the village and up the hill to our communal Christmas tree. It's gentle and understated, but brings a moment of light and joy when it's so dark.

The First Snow and Tobogganing

Even though every year sees a lot of snow in Norway, the first snow of the winter season is always an exciting event. If you are going to have to endure a long winter you might as well try and enjoy it! The day is snows we get our toboggans out, take a few flasks of hot chocolate and head to the nearest hill to spend a bit of time enjoying the new snow.. It's usually full of squealing kids on their toboggans on akkematt (tobogganing mats), the bålpanne is lit and it's a cosy and celebratory atmosphere.

Do your family and friends have Christmas traditions that are unique and special? It's important to keep these simple activities alive as they bring us joy and togetherness when the world can feel quote hard.

Leave a comment and let me know what your traditions are or join us in the Living a Nordic Life Facebook group where we love to chat about all things Nordic and simple, intentional living.