Christmas: Juletid in Norway

The Norwegians are big on Christmas (Juletid) with celebrations starting on Christmas Eve at 4pm and lasting until 13 January. Here are some highlights:

• Santa Claus (Julenissen) delivers presents to children on Christmas Eve helped by a troupe of small gnomes (Nisse). Decorations are hung, the Christmas tree is lit and rice porridge served with butter, sugar and cinnamon is enjoyed.
• The Julebukk (Yule goat) is a leftover symbol from pagan traditions – some people wearing goat masks and costumes (Julebukkers) still go from door to door singing songs.
• Each city puts up a huge Christmas tree, usually on the first Sunday of Advent when local people hold hands and dance around it in celebration.
• On the 13 December schools celebrate St Lucia Day, when a pupil, wearing a crown of candles, represents St Lucia and leads a procession of children, handing out Lussekatter (edible treats; see our own cake tribute, saffron bundt cake).

Turn to page 96 of December’s The Simple Things for a Norwegian family enjoying the snuggest of Christmases in their alpine timber lodge - think crackling fires, twinkling lights and lots of tasty treats to savour.

More from the December issue:

More Christmas posts:

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View the sampler here.

Competition: Win a winter holiday in Norway with Inntravel (closed)

This is your chance to try out cross-country skiing, courtesy of Inntravel and Norway - home of skiing.

The friendliness of fellow skiers, the feeling of being close to nature, and the chance to fully soak up the scenery make cross-country skiing highly enjoyable. And where better to learn than in Norway, where skiing is not so much a sport as a way of life.

We have teamed up with Inntravel to offer one lucky reader and their companion a holiday in Beitostolen in the Norwegian Highlands. As well as sampling a range of other snow-based activities (husky tours, snowmobile safaris and more), you will be able to try out cross-country skiing. Amiable instructor Tor Havard Kolbu and his team of friendly, English-speaking instructors will ensure you soon master the 'gliding stride', and once you get going you will be clocking up the kilometres in no time. 

The village of Beistolen has a wonderfully laid-back atmosphere, thanks to the Hovi family, who run most of it! Your base, the Bergo Hotel, is full of character, as are its restaurant and cosy bar; and you are bound to find yourselves in the lively Svingen pub at some stage. All in all, this is a fantastic holiday, and the connecting flight from Oslo to nearby Fagernes is the icing on the cake.

How to enter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What you could win

A week-long holiday for two at the Bergo Hotel in Beitostolen, including flights from London and transfers; dinner, breakfast and lunch pack every day; 6 days' ski hire, free use of cross-country trails and two 90-minute lessons. You can also use the excellent pool and spa facilities of the neighbouring Radisson hotel.

Try other activities (not included), such as husky tours, snowmobile safaris, downhill skiing or ice fishing. 

Departures from 1-29 March 2015 (Sundays to Fridays).

www.inntravel.co.uk

Full terms and conditions.