Danish Traditions

The Danish have many different jovial traditions to celebrate special occasions. Celebrating in large groups is very common. Danish traditions include both religious holidays such as Christmas and personal ones like birthdays.

Wedding Anniversaries

Two important celebrations are for wedding anniversaries. These are the 25-year anniversary and the 12-and-a-half-year anniversary. Family, friends and neighbors of the married couple create a triumphal arch to celebrate 25 years and half of an arch for 12 and a half years. The couple invites all that participated in creating the arch for breakfast on the couple's wedding anniversary day.

Birthdays

There are several landmark birthdays in Danish culture. For his first birthday, the child receives a birthday cake. Danes are considered to have entered adulthood when reaching 30. Unmarried individuals are given a gag gift at this age, which is a peppermill created by two painted oil drums. The 50th birthday is celebrated in one of two ways. The first way is to have a large celebration with a rented hall and professional entertainment. The other is referred to as an open house. This tradition includes announcing the individual's birthday in the newspaper. The person celebrating his birthday invites friends and family to a buffet at home.

Christmas

For Christmas, Danes traditionally go to church on the afternoon of December 24. Gifts are exchanged on that day, and celebrants dance around a decorated Christmas Tree. On Christmas Day they feast at a family member's home.

Weddings

It is common for family and friends to decorate the bedroom of the married couple, as a practical joke that makes light of using the bed the first night. Rice is placed on the bed to make it uncomfortable. The room's walls and windows are decorated with pornographic magazines and the couple's underwear. At the wedding, when either bride or groom leaves the room, guests of the opposite sex run up and kiss the other member of the couple.

Miniature Ships

Churches are traditionally decorated with models of ships. The symbolism represents providing a safe ride into the afterlife for church members. The main sanctuary of Danish churches is referred to as the nave. The Latin base of this word is "navis," from which English words like "naval" and "navy" are derived.