Welcome back to My Danish Christmas Advent
Calendar! Every day this month I’ve shared Danish
Christmas goodies with you – traditional Danish Christmas recipes, traditions,
songs, games, decorations, crafts and landscapes… And tomorrow is the Big
Day!
23 DECEMBER
Today it’s Lille Juleaften! Little Christmas Eve! We have friends
coming over for our traditional Lille Juleaften dinner – which for our
family consists of a side of smoked salmon, warm homemade bread, fresh veggies
and salad, a selection of cheese and crackers and lots of lots and lots of
konfekt (homemade sweets), biscuits and fruit. We’ll wash it down with
Danish Christmas beer and white wine. And hyldeblomst saft
(elderflower juice) for the kids.
Part of tonight’s dinner
I’m also doing some last minute prep for The Big Day. Which means making the
rice pudding for tomorrow’s ris à l’amande. According to my family,
the risengrød (rice pudding) has to be made a day in advance and kept
cool overnight (preferably in a cold cellar). Tomorrow we’ll add whipped cream,
vanilla, sugar and serve it cold with hot cherry sauce…
First stage of ris à l’amande…
The mandelgaver (almond presents) of marcipan pigsare wrapped
and ready and I’m putting them in the dining room, so we’re not running around
looking for them at the last minute…
Mandelgaver
I’ve also looked out the Christmas songbooks, so we’re ready for the
traditional singalong after dinner. And after we’ve sung some hymns and carols,
we’ll sing and dance around our
(real) Christmas tree– as is the tradition in Denmark. And then – and
only then – can we open the
presents!
Julens Sange!
Don’t forget to check back here tomorrow…when we open the final door!
Diane 