In Santa’s country – Greenland – of course they celebrate Christmas just as people do in many other parts of the world.

December is the time for preparations. The houses and the streets have to be decorated, presents need to be wrapped and hidden, and the lovely Christmas food has to be baked.
________________

During December people in Greenland start to put festive decorations in their windows.

The most common is the Christmas Star. (Almost in all houses they have the same special orange colored star).

Being so close to the North Pole, Greenland has little, or no daylight at this time of year.

North of the Polar Circle the sun does not rise at all for many months, and in the southern part of Greenland it only appears over the mountains for a very short time. So the shining Christmas Star adorns all the windows of public buildings, shops and people’s homes.
________________ 

Christmas trees are imported from Denmark, and decorated with candles as well as bright ornaments.
________________

The inside roof and walls are decorated with lots of paper ornaments.
 
(to us from Denmark  - it look like a mix between new year and Shrovetide decoration).
________________

On Christmas day the 24. december - early in the morning, the Greenlandic people
start celebrating Christmas with dancing around the tree and give present  to each other. (especial to the kids).

At ten o clock there is a church service, and nearly everybody goes. Greenlandic people have a native talent for part-singing – it`s sound very beautiful.
 
Many wearing the traditional Greenlandic costume, which is a signal that it is a special day.
________________

After the service people offer coffee to each other.
 
Along with singing, coffee is an important part of any celebration in Greenland.

(unfortunately the alcohol drinking have replaced the coffee – it`s  a very big problem in Greenland).
_________________

First Christmas day 25. december is almost as big a festival as Christmas Day itself.

The kids go from house to house to sing Christmas carols. (very pleasant).

After the singing we offer the kids cookies and candy.

(After our return to Denmark
we still have the special orange
star in our windows in December month).


Our house in Salten
Denmark - December 2005.