Christmas, part two

As a follow-up to both the Lego post  and first Christmas post, I present you with the Lego advent calendar!  You can buy it in the US for the same price ($34) as you can here (180kr) and there are many varieties.

After talking with parents and neighbors I have learned a lot more about Christmas traditions.  Young children receive small gifts each day in December leading up to Christmas, with slightly larger presents given on Sundays.  Candles are lit each Sunday of advent and special candle holders are made for this.  Some families decorate the tree together, but others hide the tree from the children until December 24.  In the late afternoon everyone goes off to church, except the mother who stays home to prepare a large meal, maybe goose or duck.  Afterward they eat and then the tree is revealed.  The candles are lit and everyone dances around the tree singing songs (too many, say the kids).  Finally, after waiting all day during which they have watched the Christmas specials on television, the kids open the presents and stay up late.  On December 25 families prepare another meal while the children play with their toys.  Ham, sausage, meatballs, and herring are among the foods and this meal is shared with the extended family.  On December 26, the second day of Christmas, most people relax or go off for another large meal with another set of relatives.

Julemand, the Danish Father Chistmas, is not as important as nisse (plural of nisser).  These are little old men or elves dressed in gray and red and porridge is left out for them.

Because it gets dark so early it seems that candles are also a big part of the holiday.  The stores display a variety of shapes and colors and they seem to be featured in every catalog from every store.

I may be leaving out many traditions (sweets?  public activities?  Lucia?), but it is only November.