When people think of Christmas, they think of decorated Christmas trees, warm fireplaces and rooms full of presents. The home of Santa Claus, northern Finland is known as "Ear Mountain", which has more than 50 days of polar night each year due to its location within the Arctic Circle. And Christmas falls right in that time frame. At this time, southern Finland gets less than six hours of sunshine a day. It is a similar story in Norway, Sweden and Iceland.
In this long winter, what could be more warm than staying with your family? The Spring Festival, a traditional Chinese festival, lasts from the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month to the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Europeans do the same with Christmas: the Christmas holiday begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Eve (Advent). So how do Europeans spend their own "Spring Festival"? In this issue let's talk to the christmas decoration manufacturer Take a look at the Christmas customs of people in Nordic countries and their favorite Christmas food and goodies.
Denmark -- Light countdown candles and weave paper hearts
Countdown calendars will fly off the shelves as Christmas approaches. In Denmark, families light these date-bearing candles before Christmas, counting down to December 25 just as we begin to feel New Year's Eve approaching as we enter the lunar month.
Woven paper hearts are a traditional decoration on Danish Christmas trees. The original woven paper heart is said to have been made by Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen. The oldest preserved paper hearts date back to 1860 and are on display at the HC Andersen Museum in Odense, Denmark. The hearts are woven from two pieces of colored paper or felt in a simple checkerboard shape. And since they can be opened like little baskets, they are often filled with candy.
Norway -- Light a candle every night from Christmas Eve until New Year's Day
Norwegian families light a candle every night from Christmas Eve until the New Year. Norwegians also usually exchange gifts on Christmas Eve. Santa Claus brought presents to the people, and Nissen the dwarf. Legend has it that Nissen Dwarfs have historically brought prosperity to farms and homes, and in the mid-19th century, Nissen Dwarfs began to be seen by Norwegian families as porters of Christmas presents. Nissen is the Norwegian people's heart of santa claus, Santa Claus, in the Norwegian language called Julenisse.
Iceland -- Swapping books on Christmas Eve
The Icelandic Christmas season begins with the mailing of the Bokatidindi, a catalogue of every book published in Iceland. Exchanging books and reading on Christmas Eve is an Icelandic tradition that dates back to World War II. Paper was one of the few commodities that wasn't rationed, and because books were in plentiful supply, Icelanders could read and give books as gifts as they liked.
Sweden -- Christmas dinner with the family
At Christmas, Swedes like to sit around the table with their families and enjoy Christmas dinner together. Sweden's most traditional Christmas specialty is the cold Swedish Christmas Ham. Thinly sliced ham served with a variety of special sauces is simple and delicious. They also enjoy baking gingerbread and building gingerbread houses with their families during the Christmas season, and even hold a Christmas gingerbread house contest at the museum with a specific crafting theme. Like other Nordic countries, Swedes love mulled wine at Christmas. Traditionally, mulled wine is made with spices such as red wine, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves and orange zest. Swedes drink it with raisins and almonds to give it a special flavor.
Finland -- Visit an authentic Christmas market
The Christmas market in Finland is just like the temple fair in northern China. People will walk in groups in twos and threes. The scene is very lively and the Christmas atmosphere is very strong. Christmas carols sound from the pure white Helsinki Cathedral beside the square, songs waft through every corner of the market, the smell of mulled wine takes your mind off the cold, and small shops are lit with lights selling local daily necessities, including wooden cutlery, and handicrafts of all kinds. Relatives and friends come to visit the local Christmas market in Finland, will feel warm, warm and full!
Northern Europe is what people call a fairy tale world. Denmark is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid, Norway is the birthplace of the little hero of the North Sea, Finland is the home of Santa Claus, Iceland is home to hundreds of volcanoes, and Sweden is the birthplace of Nobel. The five Nordic countries have a profound medieval cultural background. The five countries are not only culturally similar, but also have strong economic strength.