from our very own Norwaylist members
Share your Holiday Nowegian tradition
photos by sending to Karla Mattila at FreyasLair@comcast.net
Back to Karlas' Norwaylist webpages
http://www.rootsweb.com/~norway/NorwayList.htm
Christmas trees in Norwegian homes are brought
in Christmas Eve, or right before.
The holidays are celebrated beginning then, and
for the next two weeks.
Traditional decorations are candles, strings
of Norsk flags, and woven baskets.
Mølje on the right is made from hardtack soaked in pork fat and baked. Eaten for 
Terje Pettersen Family, Andebu, NorwayAdvent lights and Candelabraare another standard favorite to shine in windows
From the private collection of Ingrid Kjønnøy, Eikkelsøy, Norway
Norwegian baskets are woven and sometimes filled with small items or wishes.
By Ingrid Kjønnøy
The red candelabra has small holly wreaths and electric bulbs. Collection of Karla MattilaChristmas Nisse is the favorite of all Nisse. He brings gifts and prosperity for the New Year.
You must treat him good, with bowls of Grøt and cream left in the barn. Leave the birds some
wheat sheaves for added luck.
Kjell Midthun is the artist for these Christmas cards sent to Karla Mattila by Laila Christiansen, Ingrid Kjønnøy and Terje Pettersen, from NorwayJULEBRUK is an old tradition that many Norwegians brought with them to the U.S.
It remained in rural Norway with folk dancing, rosmaling and other traditions that died out
some in the big cities of Norway. Recently these customs have again grown in popularity.
It resembles the American Trick or Treat, as participants dress in costume and go from house
to house enjoying food and drinks, while offering Christmas songs and jokes.
Courtesy of Travis Cleveland, from Vesterheim Dec. 2002
Juletrefest
In older tradition the Juletrefest was held after Christmas, the candles relit, and the candies removed and eaten. Now lights are used. This fest was held on a small island, attended by 100.
Always held on the 5th day of Christmas, December 29th. Rings are formed around the tree, with the children forming the first ring. They sing Christmas songs, and each ring goes in the opposite
direction of the other. Tradition calls for the last song to be ""Deilig er jorden"" Speeches were given on the meaning of Jule and gifts were given to the children by julenissen. Each family brought platters of their own baked cookies and lefse to share.
Story and Photo by Ingrid Kjønnøy, EikkelsøyTraditional foods include the famous Lutefish. Here shown left in a montage
by lister Dave Petersen of Lincoln, NebraskaChristmas Eve snack with Aquavik, according to Arve Somdahl who shared his family party here.
For more Norwegian Christmas customs see
Jul Recipes of Norwaylisters
http://www.rootsweb.com/~norway/JulRecipes.htm
Christmas In Norway
http://odin.dep.no/ud/html/brosjyrer/x-mas/engelsk/start.html
Heart Baskets
http://www.haabet.dk/users/julehjerter/making.html
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