Norway Christmas Traditions: Make Rice Porridge! - Little Passports (2024)

FAQs

What are the traditions of Norway Christmas? ›

On Christmas Eve (24 December) most Norwegians gather for a traditional meal and the opening of presents, and sometimes Father Christmas will pay them a visit. All in all, the whole country is an ongoing huge festival of lightsthat keeps on shining for weeks after New Year's Eve to preserve that fairy tale spirit.

The Norwegian word for Santa Claus is JULENISSE and on Christmas Eve, we leave out a bowl of JULEGRØT: rice porridge with sugar, cinnamon and butter. Gifts are not exchanged until the family dinner in the early evening.

In Sweden and Norway, meanwhile, rice pudding with an almond hidden inside is served on New Year's Eve; it is said that whoever finds the nut can expect 12 months of good fortune.

It's a Norwegian tradition to bring a bowl of Nissegrøt, rice porridge, out to the barn for Fjøsnissen on Christmas Eve. Once fed, he will gladly take care of the farm and the livestock in return. If not – he'll be very offended, and may get up to mischief! Such as leaving the barn door wide open.

The most popular Christmas Eve dinner is the ribbe (pork ribs or pork belly, bone in), but lutefisk (cod cured in lye), pinnekjøtt (dry-cured ribs of lamb), boiled cod, ham roast and turkey are also common dishes.

National traditions

Norwegians celebrate their National Day on 17 May, dedicated to the Constitution of Norway. Many people wear bunad (traditional costumes) and most participate in or watch the Norwegian Constitution Day parade, consisting mostly of children, through the cities and towns.

In Norway, according to folklore, witches descend on houses on Christmas Eve to frighten humans and their offspring. To make it more difficult for them to get around, families hide their brooms and mops during the festive period. If there is no broom to hop onto, they can't get up to any harm!

The Norwegian porridge feud (grautstriden) were a series of public debates that was going on in Norway between 1864 and 1866, concerned with the optimal way of cooking porridge. The participants were Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Eilert Sundt.

Decorating the tree on December 23

However, this is exactly what you can expect in the vast majority of Norwegian homes. This is because tree decoration is usually something that is set aside to be done on December 23rd, which is known as Lille Julaften (or Little Christmas Eve).

Use in Christmas tradition

Simple rice pudding (risengrød) can be served all year in Denmark, but is also often seen as a Christmas dish.

Why do Norwegians put an almond in rice pudding? ›

It is traditional for families to place a single, blanched almond inside the rice porridge or pudding. Whoever finds the almond will have good luck, and often gets a prize (usually a small marzipan pig or chocolate), and the distinction of getting to open their presents first!

But it holds specifical significance during the New Year in symbolizing hope for a year filled with positivity, prosperity and peace. Rice pudding is a humble and common dish, shared all over the world. It's usually made with just rice, milk and sugar, but the sum is equal to more than its parts.

Children travel in costume from house to house, singing in exchange for sweets. If adults go too, they are ideally so well disguised as to be unrecognisable. They then drink a glass of akvavit at every house, ideally until they are incomprehensible.

Norwegians have their own version of Santa Claus, called Julenisse. In Scandinavian folklore, a nisse is a short, mythological gnome-like creature with a long white beard and a red cap.

Like the cookies traditionally left for Santa Claus today, it was customary to leave a bowl of rice porridge with butter for the Jul spirit in gratitude.

Woolen gloves, socks and slippers are also popular as gifts. Making a food basket for your family and friends can be fun and exciting.

“People wear bunads on life's special occasions such as Norway's national day, at weddings, either if you are getting married yourself or you are a guest, at graduation ceremonies, and at confirmations and baptisms, some even wear it on Christmas Eve.