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For me, Christmas is the cosiest celebration of all, and although Christmas belongs to the children, I’m not too old to find it completely magical and enchanting. I start planning for Christmas as early as November – my fingers are simply itching to bring out all the lovely Christmas candle holders, fairy lights and decorations. I love putting on the Christmas music, lighting candles and wrapping the girls’ advent calendar presents while thinking about how wonderful Christmas seemed when I was little – Father Christmas, the nisser (Danish Christmas elves) and not least the presents – it was, and still is, pure Christmas magic.
Seeing the girls’ eyes light up when they discover that the nisser have eaten the biscuits they left out, Father Christmas has eaten the rice porridge (risengrød), the milk has magically turned green and there are tiny footprints in the flour on the kitchen counter – it is nothing short of wonderful, and it warms my heart too.
I grew up in a home where the whole house was filled with nisser, Christmas lights and a magical festive atmosphere. Where Father Christmas came and ate rice porridge in the night, the nisser had decorated the most beautiful Christmas tree while we slept, and the mischievous nisser had hidden our advent calendar presents.
It’s a time I look back on with the greatest Christmas joy, and it’s something I want to give our girls too, while they still believe in nisser and Father Christmas. The girls’ rooms are overflowing with nisser of every kind, while I keep things simpler in the living room and upstairs. I adore all kinds of Christmas lights, beautiful candle holders and simple decorations – but the Christmas tree stays just as I remember it from my childhood: shiny red, gold and silver baubles and plenty of fairy lights.
Christmas baking is also a big part of the festive spirit in our home, and our eldest princess loves to help. We bake Christmas biscuits as early as the end of November and top up with extra batches as Christmas Eve approaches. Confectionery with marzipan and nougat is made as close to Christmas Eve as possible so we don’t eat too much of it, and there are Christmas buns to bake, candied almonds to make and other festive treats. I’ve gathered a few photos of this year’s Christmas decorations in the windows and outdoors, which I think have turned out so beautiful and simple – just to my taste. I’m also linking to all the lovely Christmas recipes we’ve made so far this year – but keep an eye out, more will be added along the way.
A very merry Christmas.
A fresh cabbage salad with red pointed cabbage, kale, orange and walnuts – perfect with Christmas dinner or any other
Christmas dinner with roast duck, brunede kartofler (Danish caramelised potatoes), duck gravy and braised red cabbage, – everything a Christmas
Danish rice porridge (risengrød) is one of the most loved dishes in Denmark, especially in the cold months. It is
Crisp, juicy roast duck, cooked at 130°C for a good 3 hours.Roast duck is a classic at both Mortensaften (St
Danish roast pork (flæskesteg) cooked in the air fryer – very easy, minimal washing up and perfectly cooked roast pork
Homemade braised red cabbage – easy to make and just right for the Christmas table.Homemade braised red cabbage is in
Perfect brunede kartofler (Danish caramelised potatoes), – light golden brown, glossy and full of flavour.Caramelised potatoes taste wonderful, and they
Risalamande – classic, creamy Danish rice pudding with almonds and cherry sauce. The classic Christmas dessert. Risalamande – or ris
Christmas is a time for traditions, and for treating the people we love to something a little special. My risalamande
