Traditional Christmas Greeting: "Glaedelig Jul"
Location: Scandinavia
Tree Type: Traditional

Decorations:
- The most important symbol of the Danish Christmas is the red and white hearts, which are hanging in windows of homes and shops, as festoons above the streets, on Christmas trees, and many other places. The traditional heart is made of paper. The heart baskets are woven in Denmark's national colors and sometimes contain treats for the children.
- The paper doves are remembrance of all Gods creatures, to remind the family to help feed the animals. They also represent the peace and joy of the holidays.
- The red cornucopia (Kramerhusse) is filled with nuts, candy and little gifts. Sometimes it will contain a special Christmas cookie (Pebbernodder).
- The paper angels represent the birth of Christ.
- The garland of Danish flags (Dannebog) represents the legend that the Danish flag fell from heaven during a great Viking battle.
- The white muff symbolizes warmth.
- The yarn elves symbolize the Julenisse (Yulenissa). Tradition states that if they are not represented on the tree they will cause all sorts of mischief, like stealing ornaments or tipping the tree over.

Traditions:
Hearts woven from strips of red and white paper are commonly found on most Danish Christmas trees. They're created in Denmark's national colors, and when made as baskets these hearts often hold treats for the children. Christmas trees in Denmark often feature fruit, sweets, nuts, small Danish flags and dozens of lit candles. Doves symbolizing peace as well as humanity's responsibility to care for animals, paper angels representing Christ's birth, white muffs standing for warmth, and cornucopias filled with nuts and candy ornament Denmark's tree at the Museum as well.

Advent, the period comprising the four Sundays before Christmas, plays an important role in Danish Christmas celebrations. One candle is lit on the Advent Wreath each Sunday, children discover treats as they open the doors on their Advent calendars each morning in December, candles burn shorter each day, and Advent television programs recount holiday stories as Christmas Eve approaches. In many families, the decorated Christmas tree does not make its appearance until Christmas Eve, when doors are unlocked and children are permitted to see its glowing candles and treat-filled hearts. Children traditionally set bowls of rice pudding in the attic on Christmas Eve to pacify the Nisse, a mischievous old man who dresses in grey pants, wooden shoes, and a red pixie hat. Children who want their presents to be delivered and their decorations to remain intact give the Nisse pudding every year to keep his usual pranks under control! Danish families "dance" around the tree singing Christmas carols before the Christmas dinner begins with rice pudding. One whole almond is hidden in the pudding, and the family member to find it is awarded a special prize, often a small pig molded from fine marzipan. Adults often drink specially brewed Christmas beer or a warming mixture of red wine, spices and raisins as the family enjoys roast duck or goose and sweet and sour red cabbage. Small cakes of batter dusted with icing and sugar end the Christmas dinner before families open presents and close out the biggest feasting season of the year.