The Christmas smorgasbord, called Julbord
(Christmas table), or Julfrukost (Christmas
lunch) is of the highest importance to many,
and the Swedes possibly more than others—
although a Dane or a Finn might disagree.
The Swedish Julbord is essentially a
smorgasbord buffet, which is eaten in 'rounds'.
A common Julbord session will include two
fish rounds, the first with several types of
pickled herring, then another with salmon:
cured and smoked.
All Scandinavian countries have a
mischievous elf, a tradition dating back to the
Viking era. In Norway and Denmark he's called
a nisse and has the features of a goat
(Julebukk), while in Sweden he is known as a
tomte. The Danes, like the Swedes, enjoy
Julefrokost (Christtmas lunch) on several
occasions throughout December—often one
with work, one with the family, and one with
friends, but on Christmas Eve they serve
Christmas duck with sugar-fried potatoes and
gravy, and drink wine, only to have Julefrokost
again on Christmas Day.
Clockwise from
left: A traditional
Scandinavian
Christmas table;
cabin set among
snow-covered
forests—a picture-
perfect scene of
a Nordic winter;
Nisse (elves) for
sale at a Christmas
market.
e Christmas smorgasbord, called Julbord
(Christmas table), or Julfrukost (Christmas lunch) is
of the highest importance to many
Norwegian
Christmas traditions
26 | Viking Explorer Society News
