The Christmas season is upon us! For many, this time of year is full of traditions. Some traditions may have been passed down to us, while others we create along the way. Those of us from Scandinavian heritage may share some of the same traditions. Talking to someone of Norwegian background, you may hear words such as lefse, krumkake, lutefisk, risgrøt, or be wished “God Jul!”
Growing up, many of our holiday events at both home and church were sprinkled with Norwegian tradition. After the Sunday school Christmas program, we would dance and sing around the tree and enjoy krumkake, sandkake/sandbakkels, and heart-shaped waffles that church ladies would make. At home, Christmas Eve was the main focus of celebration and dinner was always the same: fresh codfish steaks, boiled potatoes, peas and carrots (for color), all smothered in melted butter. Dessert was warm rice pudding with cinnamon and sugar. This menu had been passed down from what my mother grew up eating every year.
I have to say that as a child, I didn’t enjoy most of it. Then one year as we planned for Christmas Eve dinner, I expressed my dislike of the menu and my mother surprised me by saying, “Fine, what do you want me to make instead?” When given the option, I couldn’t part with the beloved tradition. It had to stay – and so it did.
When I moved out on my own, I had a decision to make the first Christmas Eve I hosted. What would I make for dinner? Tradition prevailed and we had codfish steaks, of course. The next year, however, my newlywed husband and I decided to update the tradition and make it our own. Codfish was a must, but since I couldn’t stand the skin and bones, we switched to fiskeboller (fish balls) in cream sauce. Our modified tradition has been going strong for 15 years and it’s something my young children look forward to every year.
I know there could come a day when they adjust it for their own family’s needs and likes. In the meantime, we’ll enjoy the traditions we have established and memories we make each year. And we are open to making new ones in the future.