Christmas around the world part 2

Norwegian Christmas and traditions:

Norwegian Christmas is known as "Jul". This day is between mid December and early January. It is a time of drinking and celebrating the harvest.  The first "Jul" dates back to 840 a.d. When King Haakon I of Norway aka Haakon the good who ruled from 934 to 964. During his rule he set "Jul" for December 25 to align with the birth of Jesus Christ.

Norwegian Christmas dinner:
A Christmas dinner consists of cooked cod, roasted pork ribs. Pinnekjot which are steamed lamb ribs that can be either salted, smoked, or dried. They also enjoy potatoes, porridge, gingerbread, and Christmas punch. Then they make sandkruger which is a special holiday cookie.

Activities that Norwegians enjoy during the "Jul" celebrations:
Tromso in Norway is one of the best places to see the Northern lights in the world. The Norwegians claim that Santa Clause lives in the town of Drobek. They like to enjoy visits to Tregaddens Christmas house.  The town of Bergin is known as the world's biggest Gingerbread Town, miniature houses, trains, cars and shops are all made of real gingerbread. Christmas markets in all Norwegian shops are very popular.

Norwegian Christmas traditions:

• In the 1840's a Nordic folklore called " Tomte" or " Nisse" began to deliver presents in Norway. He was portrayed as a short man with a beard, dressed in gray clothes and a red hat almost like a Garden Gnome. He was mischievous and by the 19th century he was replaced with Santa Clause. 

Norway was the birthplace of the "Yule" log. The ancient Norse used the "Yule" log to celebrate the return of the sun at Winter Solstice.  Today the Christmas tree takes place of the Yule log.

prezi norwegian christmas