Candles & Traditions: How Danes Celebrate Christmas with Hygge
Candles by Kunstindistrien
Candles, Traditions & Danish Christmas Hygge
In Denmark, the countdown to Christmas is a time to slow down, light a candle, and savour the season. December is filled with simple, cozy traditions that bring warmth and light to the darkest days of the year, capturing the true spirit of hygge.
Among the most beloved customs are two types of seasonal candles: the kalenderlys (calendar candle), lit daily through December, and the adventskrans (advent candle wreath), used to mark each Sunday leading up to Christmas. Both are quiet rituals that turn ordinary moments into something meaningful - beautifully blending tradition, intention, and design.
Countdown to Christmas with December Calendar Candles
Just like a tape measure a kalender lys (calendar candle) is marked with numbers 1 to 24. Each day, a bit of the calendar candle is burned, counting the days from December 1st to Christmas Eve. A simple, cozy ritual often shared over breakfast.
Celebrating the Season: The Danish Tradition of Advent Candles
The traditional Advent wreath is made from evergreens and holds four candles. The wreath is hung or placed on a table. On the 4 Sundays before Christmas, families light their advent candles, with one more candle lit each week, bringing warmth and connection into the winter days leading up to Christmas.
