Catholic Christmas Eve

Children open the last window in the Christmas calendarWhen children wake up (this day is especially early), they open the last window on the Christmas calendar. In many families, children are looking forward to a special Christmas TV program. According to tradition, on this day, cartoons are shown not only for the youngest, but also for the whole large family.

Many families go to church on this day, according to tradition, it begins at 3 p.m.

Many people visit the graves of their deceased relatives and lay flowers on them.

Since children are busy watching cartoons, parents can prepare Christmas dinner in peace and quiet.

Christmas dinner in Norway looks like this:
It takes place in the family circle. Grandparents, parents, children (also if they are adults) and sometimes aunts and uncles gather at the table. In western and northern Norway, eat "Pinnekjøtt" (salted and steamed lamb ribs) with potatoes. Pork is extremely popular in the eastern parts of Norway, while in other areas lutefisk is the main dish. Some families prefer turkey on this day.

After dinner, before opening gifts, the whole family joins hands and begins to dance, with songs, at the Christmas tree. After that, everyone gathers at the table again, but this time with tea and cookies. Now you can open the presents...

Many people put gifts under the branches of the tree before the start of the festive dinner. When the chanting is over, the gifts are handed out and opened, everyone can see what was inside. (Every gift is marked with a small sign, “To Whom,” “From Who,” and “Merry Christmas.”)

In some families, especially those with small children, a father, grandfather or uncle retires for a few minutes before returning as Santa Claus. He brings a bag of presents and receives cookies, then leaves to return as a father/grandfather/uncle ("Oh Dad, you just missed Santa Claus coming...").