There are many different ways to celebrate the holidays. Every country has unique traditions, from big to small, like an Elf on a shelf or the day Christmas is celebrated.
It is not only the traditions that differ from country to country but the expression of the holiday. Families all over the globe show their holiday spirit by hanging Christmas lights or decorating store windows. In Denmark, we may hang up some colorful lights, but in the United States, it’s everywhere—everything is big.
Traditions families choose to follow are also different. In the U.S., most families have an Elf on the Shelf that does mischievous tasks every night while you sleep. As a way to put everyone in the Christmas spirit in Denmark, the national TV stations stream an episode of a Danish Christmas series leading up to Christmas day.
In the United States, Christmas is celebrated on the morning of Dec. 25 as children wake up early to open the presents Santa left for them. In Denmark, Christmas is celebrated on the 23rd and before we open presents we dance around the Christmas tree as a family, singing traditional Danish Christmas songs.
In Denmark, we also have a small celebration on Dec. 13 called Lucia Day, or Saint Lucy’s Day, where children, dress up in white and carry candles. One of these candles is in their hair and they carry the rest as they walk slowly in a queue down the street, singing about St. Lucia.
Now I know I may not have the whole American Christmas experience, but things like moving the Elf on a Shelf every day is downright hilarious. Preparing Secret Santa gifts, acting in a Christmas musical and going to Target to do last-minute gift runs have put me in the Christmas spirit, despite being in a new country.
I truly don’t know which I prefer, American or Danish Christmas. It’s amazing seeing Christmas lights everywhere and decor in every window. I am reminded of Christmas everywhere I go. But the calm of Danish Christmas and coming together every evening to watch Christmas shows captures the feeling of hygge—a Danish word with no direct translation that means the feeling of togetherness.
In the end, it’s not about how you celebrate Christmas but who you celebrate with that makes it special. The holidays are about getting together with family and friends and reminding each other that you care.
