Top Ten Christmas Gift Ideas for the Danish American

":God Jul" is the Danish Christmas greeting. Christmas in Denmark is called Jul, an old Nordic word for "feast". Christmas in Denmark is largely a feast, where family and friends gather around the Christmas Tree, sing songs, exchange presents, and eat a feast fit for a king.

Many Danish people consider the Christmas  festival the biggest  of the year.  Danes celebrate Christmas Eve on December 24 and prolong the Christmas through December 25 and 26. Though many longstanding traditions have disappeared over the years, many traditions such as the family gathering at Christmas, lighting Christmas tree candles, and the month-long calendar candy are still celebrated today.  The Danish Christmas Tree became popular in Denmark in the early 1900's and is a custom that originated in Germany.  The Danish Christmas Tree is decorated with real candles, lights that look like candles, or white lights that represent candles.  The decorations included paper ornaments and Danish Flag garlands.  The Christmas heart, which is a red paper ornament is an important decoration.

Most businesses are closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.   The church services are held on Christmas Eve, during the day.  December 24 is probably the busiest day of the year in Denmark's churches.

In most homes, the traditional  Christmas dinner is served on Christmas Eve, and it is a feast.  The main course is roast duck, goose, or port.  rice pudding is a traditional Christmas dish.  Be it warm or cold pudding, it is important that there be one almond in the dish.  The person who gets the almond gets the almond present.  The almond present is traditionally a marzipan pig.  Red wine is usually served with the dinner.  Glogg, a warm spiced red wine, fortified with brandy is another traditional Christmas treat.