European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 17, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse Christmas ideas danish Yule h gnomes come outto play to celebrate Christmas Day by Judy Hammond Scripps Howard news service thousands of twinkling lights will turn Tivoli gardens in Copenhagen Denmark into a Winter wonderland during the Christmas season making it the first time in its 151 year history that the famed amusement Park has been open for the holidays. Tivoli will be open from Friday to new year s eve with a special fireworks display to usher in 1995. The Park which is near the town Hall Square will also have a Christmas Market and fair. A special treat will be a performance of Charles Dickens great expectations in the class House theater. Children will find Santa in the dolls theater. Tivoli s Many restaurants will serve traditional danish Holiday fare for lunch and dinner along with steaming cups of Togg made of wine with almonds raisins and spices. Danes get into the spirit of the season by decorating with paper cutout hearts Pine Cones baskets Angels and stars. Candles glow in lace trimmed windows. Oranges spiked with cloves and tied with red silk ribbons Are placed on mantels and in bowls. It is a time for friends to drop by to share a cup of glogg and Abl Eskiver a treat of Sweet dumplings dipped in bowls of sugar and Jam. Although Christmas is a time for families the Danes also Welcome visitors to share in the Holiday festivities. A typical dinner might be roast Duck stuffed with apples and prunes and served with candied potatoes and red cabbage. Families with Young children Are prepared to give special consideration to the Jule Nisser the bearded gnome like character who dresses in Homespun clothes and Bright red Cap and makes a special appearance at Christmas. On Christmas eve children leave the Nisser a big bowl of Rice pudding with sugar cinnamon and butter in the attic or on the porch. The main Christmas Celebration takes place dec. 24, when the tree is decorated. Following a big dinner family and friends join hands for a dance around the Christmas tree songs and opening gifts. When we were Young we were not allowed to see the tree until after dinner and All the plates had been cleared says Liliian Hess of new York a native of Denmark. Another Christmas treat is a dessert of Rice pudding Hess says. The person who finds the whole Almond in the pudding receives a special gift. Usually it s something while not the real thing these norwegian gnomes Are a Distant Cousin to the Danes Jule made of almonds often a Little pig. Throughout Denmark the shops also Are decorated for the holidays. On the St Roget the pedestrian Street in the heart of Copenhagen shoppers look for special gifts and listen to outdoor concerts. Santa is also on hand to hear requests from youngsters. From today to dec. 24, the Royal Copenhagen porcelain and Reorg Jensen Silver showrooms will display yuletide table settings and craftsmen will demonstrate their skills. Shoppers can warm up with a cup of hot mulled wine served from the Togg bar. Bing & Crondall will introduce the 100th edition of its Christmas plate series this year. Traditional danish ornaments will be featured at the hums Bolig Hus Christmas shop. Visitors will find shopping a special treat because they will receive a 15 percent to 19 percent refund of the value added tax. From nov. 29 to dec. 30, the Royal museum of Fine arts states museum for Kunst will present an exhibit for children. Paintings sculpture drawings and engravings depict the Christmas Story As told in the gospels. The week before and after Christmas the Royal danish Ballet will perform a Folk Tae inspired by trolls and Romance. The costumes and set were designed by Queen Margrethe ii in 1991. Borneo and Juliet also will be performed during december and january. The thought of sipping glogg in front of a roaring fire and snuggling under an eiderdown at the dose of the Day May be just what the yuletide gnome ordered. Thuli gardens will be turned into a Winter wonderland this Christmas season. At store Restrup near Aalborg in North Jutland visitors join friends family and neighbors of the owners Ann Vibeke and Corm Lockdam for Christmas at the Manor House. The festivities Start the first sunday of Advent when the 14th-Century Manor House is decorated with fresh Cut greens candles and ornaments. During these Days the House is filled with the Aroma of baked cookies and cakes but the most important Day is Christmas eve lord assays. Before Christmas eve dinner we go to Church in the Village he says. A traditional dinner of roast Goose Rice pudding with almonds and other treats is served. Of course the one who finds a whole Almond in the pudding gets a v candles Are lighted on the tree and then the children and grown ups enter the big Hall to dance around the tree and open gifts he says. It s the most important Day of the year especially for children when they come in and see the lighted tree Lockdam says. On Christmas Day a late breakfast is served and in the afternoon the Christmas luncheon of blood sausage and a special Pste is followed by a brisk walk in the Park he says. For More information on Denmark or staying at castles and Manor houses Contact your local danish tourist Board or its office in the states at 655 third ave new York by 10017 Tel. 212 949-2333. Or Call scandinavian airlines 800 221-2350. Judy Hammond write about Tamri at the re in Monterey cih4 november 17, 1994 stripes Magazine
