Catholic Christmas

In Denmark, Christmas is celebrated for three days.In Denmark, Christmas is celebrated for three days. Preparation begins two months before the holiday. On the streets and squares appear garlands, red hearts of paper and silk and straw goats. The windows are decorated with multi-colored illuminations, and in Copenhagen the mayor lights the lights of a huge spruce, which the Danes are given by their neighbors - Norwegians.

A month before Christmas, the Danes put a wreath of spruce or juniper on the table, on which 4 white or red candles are installed. Every week one candle is lit, foreshadowing the approach of the holiday.

By Christmas, a tree or fir is decorated, sometimes branches of pine and juniper. This is usually done in secret from children, the national flag is attached to the Christmas tree on top, and small flags are hung below. For decorating the house often used straw animals: goats and pigs.

Among the gifts and decorations, straw figures of a goat, a rooster and a pigeon are most popular, they are often put on the Christmas table or hung from the ceiling. These figures are associated with Scandinavian mythology.

Starting from December 22, children's festivals are organized with round dances around the Christmas tree decorated with balls, bows and candles. Presentation of gifts takes place on the evening of December 24. Gifts are usually wrapped and sealed with red wax, putting poems or proverbs inside for the use of the gift.