Oct 1st 2019

Traditions are a very significant thing for the Danes. Some of them may sound unique while others are more familiar, as many Danish traditions are based around the Christian calendar, but all of them give an insight to the Danish culture and captivate foreigners’ interests. Let’s get to know what Blue Monday is all about or why Danes jump off chairs on New Year’s Eve as we go through a list of Danish traditions that only Danes will understand!

Blue Monday

The Danish traditions called Blue Monday is the day after 14-year old Danes get confirmed. This confirmation is one of the 7 sacraments of the Catholic church, it is meant to strengthen their presence in the religion but has recently taken on a role as a coming-of-age ritual for Danes. During Blue Monday, teens skip school and spend the cash they received as gifts for confirmation and celebrate by hanging around Tivoli, going to amusement parks, or hanging out with all their recently confirmed friends in restaurants. Although Danes are not particular religious, some teens take a crash course right before confirmation, going to church and reading the bible for weeks before they go through the ceremony on a Sunday in April or May. Around 10 to 30 teens can be confirmed on a Sunday in spring, and only those who’ve attended 48-hour classes about religion can be confirmed. The fun continues with an afterparty where the teenagers celebrate with their friends and family and receive many—and often expensive—gifts.

Påske

Påske means Easter, a name derived from the Hebrew word “Pesach/Pasah” or Passover. In Denmark, Påske does not pass over very quickly, it is consists of a five-day holiday including: Maundy Thursday (Skætorsdag), Good Friday (Langfredag) and the Monday after Easter Sunday (Påskedag).

This is the time when children get new spring clothes, decorate eggs and participate in Påske egg hunts where eggs are hidden by the Påske Bunny. On Langfredag, Danish families usually hosts a traditional Påske lunch called Påskefrokost, serving bread, eggs, salmon, lamb, or meatballs (frikadeller). It's also the time when the Danish homes and building are decorated in green and yellow, especially with spring-themed floral arrangements of tender branches and daffodils.

A Cinnamon Attack for 25-year-old Singles

People who are 25 years old and still single in Denmark will get a special ‘treat’ on their birthday. Their friends would drag them in the middle of the street and cover them in cinnamon and other spices as a way of teasing them for not having found their other half yet. If they’re still single at 30, the teasing upgrades from sprinkling cinnamon to a vigorous heaping of pepper on the unfortunate birthday celebrant.

The reason Danes celebrate their single friends’ birthday by showering them with spices is because of the story of the Danish-spice salesmen of the 16th century. They became known as Pebersvends, or can be translated as ‘a pepper salesman’.

Jumping off a Chair on New Year’s Eve

Those celebrating New Year’s Eve with a Dane will probably see them standing on a chair and then jumping when the clock strikes 12. That Danish tradition to ‘jump into the new year’ symbolizes that no matter what challenges the next year will bring, the Danes will overcome it.

Christmas Beer Day

Danes welcome the beginning of Christmas season with a special celebration on the 1^st November. As soon as the clock strikes 8:59 pm that day, Denmark’s towns and cities will be filled with crowds of people dressed in blue Santa outfits.

It's because Tuborg (a Danish brewing company) releases its Christmas beer: the Julebryg. The beverage itself is only available for 10 weeks each year, but it is Denmark’s fourth highest-selling beer. Danes will pack the streets, taste their beloved drink, and party until the early-morning hours.

Aside from unique traditions, Denmark is also famous for its butter cookies. One of the renowned Danish butter cookies brands today is Danisa Butter Cookies. Their authentic Danishcrafted by skilled master bakers and superior quality have made Danisa Butter Cookies one of the most desirable treats in Denmark.