Our Family Christmas Traditions: Blending Danish Heritage With International Holiday Magic
Christmas is truly the season of traditions, and I love hearing how families around the world celebrate. Living in a multicultural country while raising children who attend a British school, yet coming from Denmark ourselves, means our home blends Danish Christmas traditions with international influences. It makes the holiday season even more magical for our kids (ages 10, 8, and 6).
In Denmark, Christmas is celebrated on 24th December, while many of our British friends celebrate on the 25th. This has led to endless fun debates: Where does Santa live? (In Denmark, we say Greenland!) Does he come at night or in the evening? Are gifts opened in the morning or after dinner? Do you have a secret elf you never see, or an Elf on the Shelf?
No matter the differences, my children adore our family Christmas traditions, and every year they remind me of the rituals we cannot skip, and I wanted to share them..
Matching Family Christmas Pyjamas
One of our favourite traditions is wearing matching Christmas pyjamas. The kids’ top choice is the Emerson PJs from BoxFetti. Our annual PJ photo in front of the tree has become the grandparents’ favourite Christmas card.
Decorating the Christmas Tree Together
Every year we decorate the tree as a family and choose one new ornament, usually a Maileg ornament from BoxFetti.
The kids take turns placing the star on top, a moment they eagerly await all year.
Hot Chocolate Station Tradition
This year we created our most magical hot chocolate station yet. We filled it with fluffy marshmallows, festive candy canes, and the kids’ favourite ClearPopz Christmas lollipops for stirring or snacking.
Of course, we included our cosy BoxFetti Christmas mug to complete the setup.
It has become one of our most-loved December rituals, making every evening feel warm, sweet and wonderfully festive.
Family Christmas Movie Nights
We made a laminated Christmas movie list with everyone’s favourites. Wrapped in fuzzy blankets and enjoying caramel popcorn in a BoxFetti treat box, our movie nights are simple but magical.
Decorating the House, Inside and Out
Our home transforms into a full Christmas wonderland using our favourite BoxFetti decorations.
This year, the kids even received their own mini Christmas trees to decorate in their rooms, now a new tradition.
Annual Christmas Photoshoots
Every year, we do a Christmas photoshoot for gifts and calendars, but my kids now say our annual Christmas photoshoot with Daley Bounce has officially become a family tradition.
We also keep our fun tradition of a Christmas hat photo on the beach!
Christmas Cookie Baking Day
Every December, the kids and their friends have a baking day wearing BoxFetti aprons and using BoxFetti cookie cutters.
Fun fact: I’ve baked Christmas cookies with a group of Danish women for 18 years, each of us makes one recipe and we swap, so everyone gets 12 varieties.
New Christmas Hairpiece & T-Shirt from BoxFetti
Every year, the kids pick a new Christmas hairpiece and festive T-shirt from BoxFetti.
They love wearing them for school Christmas concerts, holiday shows and festive family photos.
Danish Christmas Traditions We Keep Alive
When we visit Denmark in December, we enjoy the traditions I grew up with:
• Ice skating in the village
• Seeing Christmas lights at Skulpturparken & Aalborg Zoo
• Elf hunting in Nisseskoven
• Christmas theatre trips with grandparents
• Making gingerbread houses with my dad
• Making Christmas marzipan with my mum
• Watching the Danish Advent Calendar TV series
• Visiting Christmas markets
• Cutting down our own Christmas tree from the forest
And of course, hoping for snow for sledding and snowball fights.
Our Christmas Elf Tradition
On December 1st, our Danish-style elf moves into the house. He is invisible (unlike Elf on the Shelf!) but leaves notes, surprises, and sometimes mischief in the kids’ BoxFetti stockings.
BoxFetti also shares daily elf inspiration and offers a free printable for ideas.
Festive Family Activities We Love
Christmas Book Crate Tradition
We keep a crate of Christmas books in the living room and every year we add one new Christmas book. The kids love rediscovering old favourites and choosing the new addition.
Christmas Plates All Month Long
Throughout December, we eat from our reusable Christmas plates from BoxFetti.
The kids use their festive children’s tableware, and we use the BoxFetti Christmas tableware for adults. It makes even weekday breakfasts feel special.
Homemade Christmas Decorations
We make our own decorations every year, especially paper stars and woven Danish paper hearts (julehjerter).
These homemade pieces add such a meaningful touch to our Christmas décor.
Gingerbread House Making
Every year we build and decorate a family gingerbread house. The kids take full creative control with icing, sweets, and sprinkles, and it’s always a messy but joyful highlight (don't forget your apron!)
Christmas Crafts & Gifts
We spend December crafting:
• Handmade Christmas cards
• Diamond art
• Wooden ornaments
• Hama bead designs
• Salt dough and resin ornaments
Most become heartfelt gifts for grandparents. We have a huge selection available
Christmas Games & Puzzles
We have a Christmas travel bag filled with festive games for outings and flights.
This year, we’re completing the My Mind’s Eye Christmas puzzle together. We have plenty of choice available here.
Santa Visits & Local Holiday Events
Before we travel, we enjoy:
• Visiting Santa at Ski Dubai
• Wandering through Madinat & Expo
• Receiving our yearly teddy from Wafi
• A Christmas party with friends
December 1st Box Tradition
This year we created a December 1st Box filled with chocolate advent calendars, little gifts, and BoxFetti surprises. A big hit!
Growing Christmas Village
The kids build their own Lemax Christmas village each year, adding new pieces to their snowy town.
Christmas Eve & Christmas Days in Denmark
Christmas Eve – 24th December
As Danes, we celebrate on Christmas Eve. Our traditions include:
• A cosy dinner with traditional Danish dishes
• Rice pudding with a hidden almond (winner gets a gift!)
• Dancing around the Christmas tree while singing 5–7 songs
• Opening gifts together
Christmas Days 25th–27th December: Family Visits, Christmas Lunch & PakkeSpil
From 25th–27th December, the celebrations continue with family visits and traditional Danish Christmas lunches. These days are filled with hygge, good food, and the kids’ absolute favourite tradition, PakkeSpil, the beloved Danish gift-stealing dice game.
To keep the children happy during long festive lunches, we always bring a BoxFetti Christmas Craft & Toy Bag. It’s the perfect way to entertain them at the table while the adults enjoy food and family time.
Our Christmas is a mix of Danish heritage, international influences, and traditions we’ve created as a family. From homemade decorations and gingerbread houses to our Daley Bounce photoshoots and festive BoxFetti touches, these moments are the heart of our holiday season.
I hope our traditions inspire your own celebrations and remind you that the true magic of Christmas lives in the memories we create together.
I love to see your celebrations, so don't forget to tag us @BoxFetti!