No Thanksgiving... What?!

So, I am so saddened to hear that Thanksgiving isn't celebrated by the Danes. I mean, conceptually, I knew they didn't have the Pilgrims, the Nina, Pinta & Santa Maria and... for that matter, Cristbol Colombus! But, darn it if I didn't really want a big celebration here full on with the days off, turkey and ample amounts of football ("American-style"). We are planning on celebrating with some American (and French!) friends on Saturday after. But, you know, it will be really hard not being with the family and our absolutely crazy zoo! I mean, what is Thanksgiving without dad falling asleep before, after and during Thanksgiving... Mom making an amazing meal... Lisa & Lindsey picking from the big vat of mashed potatoes and pre-deciding that they would get all the leftover potatoes... Raul playing video games... Leo & Maria coloring... Mike watching football... Craig & Maria enjoying & always bringing a few bottles of wine... and, well the list goes on at our house!

So, instead of focusing on the Thanksgiving that I won't get to attend in Houston (it just makes me sad to miss the family), we have started focusing on Christmas here in Denmark. I am working really hard to understand the Danish traditions and such. First off, we went to the Kongens Nytorv Julemarked (Christmas Market) on Sunday. Despite a little rain, Mike and I had a great time! They sell all kinds of things from very heavy fleece to caramel apples. They also sell soup, Abelskivers candied nuts.

Here they are making caramel apple with homemade caramel and coated in coconut! YUM!

And, I am not sure who this is supposed to be, but these ladies were singing and handing out candy to the kids. Sadly, I didn't recieve a piece.

Here are some other Christmas Traditions here:

1- Merry Christmas = God Jul (literally translated to Good Christmas)

2- Christmas elves are not the same as in the U.S. (sorry, Will Ferrell). The elves here are called Nisser and they are quite mischievious. They live in old farmhouses, wear grey clothing with a red bonnet & stockings. You usually leave a bowl of rice pudding for him on Christmas Eve so that Nisser will be friendly and keep the pranks at bay.

3- Christmas is really celebrated Christmas Eve. Christmas dinner is usually duck or goose with potatoes and red cabbage. Usually followed by a lot of singing and dancing. Oh, and lets not forget the aquavit, which is for the adults! Dessert is another kind of lighter, rice pudding. It is made with whipped cream and chopped almonds. There is a whole almond in the pudding and if you find it, you get a prize (usually chocolate or marizpan).

4- Christmas day is celebrated with gathering with family and friends and enjoying a meal of cold cuts, different types of fish and, well more aquavit & ol (beer)!

I am sure that we will learn much more, as it gets closer!