Welcome back to My Danish Christmas Advent Calendar! Join me every day in opening a new door. Just like last year, I’ve got a host of goodies to share with you – traditional Danish Christmas recipes, traditions, songs, games, decorations, crafts and landscapes… So sit back, relax and enjoy! And – woop, woop – tomorrow is The Big Day!
23 DECEMBER
Today it’s Lille Juleaften! Little Christmas Eve! So tonight we’ll be having our family’s traditional Lille Juleaften dinner – 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 julebryg (Danish Christmas beer) and white wine. And hyldeblomst saft (elderflower juice) for the kids.
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. At this stage, it looks pretty bland, I admit! 😛
The mandelgaver (almond presents) of marcipan pigs are 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…
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 onlythen – can we open the presents!
One sleep to go! Don’t forget to check back here tomorrow…when we open the final door!
Diane 
Love your site,helps the homesick for Varde,Denmark.
Glaelig jul
i WOULD LOVE TO GET HOLD OF ONE OF THOSE DANISH XMAS SONG BOOKS IN DANISH
THANKS
Hi Amy! The songbooks are a freebie with women's magazines around Christmas. But you can also find all the songs online.