Julemanden facts for kids

Julemanden (which means "The Christmas Man" or "The Yule Man" in Danish) is the legendary figure who brings gifts during Christmas in Denmark. He is the Danish version of Father Christmas or Santa Claus.

In Danish culture, Julemanden is often described as a short man with a beard. Unlike the American Santa Claus who usually wears a bright red suit, Julemanden is traditionally dressed in gray clothes with a red hat. He is said to travel by foot or sleigh and wears fur to stay warm in the cold Nordic winter. He delivers presents on Christmas Eve, which is celebrated on December 24 in Denmark.

History and Origins

The story of Julemanden comes from a mix of Danish folklore and ancient Norse mythology. However, the character as he is known today is actually quite new to Denmark. He became popular after World War II ended in 1945.

Before the modern Julemanden arrived, the main Christmas character was known as nissefar (elf father), nissekongen (elf king), or julenissen (the Christmas elf). These characters looked a bit like the modern Julemanden but had different roots in history.

The Legend of the Nisse

This tradition goes back hundreds of years. People believed in creatures called nisser (singular: nisse). These were elves, spirits, or magical beings that were almost never seen by humans.

According to local stories, nisser had distinct personalities. They could be helpful and bring good fortune, or they could be moody and cause trouble. The way a nisse behaved depended on how well the human family treated him.

The Porridge Tradition

The job of the julenisse was to bring good luck to the household. To make sure this happened, families had to treat him very well, especially around jul (Yule or Christmas) in December.

The most famous tradition involved food. Families would leave a bowl of porridge (traditionally rice porridge with a pat of butter) for the nisse. They usually placed this bowl in the attic, because that is where the nisse was said to live. If the nisse was happy with his meal, he would protect the house and bring good luck for the coming year.

Modern Celebrations

Even though Julemanden is the main gift-bringer today, the julenisse is still celebrated. He often acts as a helper or a stand-in for Julemanden in early December.

The julenisse is used to entertain younger children in homes, kindergartens, and schools. He might bring small gifts leading up to Christmas. True to his folklore roots, he is also known for playing funny tricks on families and students during the holiday season.

Writing to Julemanden

In Denmark, the postal service (Post Danmark) has a special address for children who want to send letters to Julemanden. The address uses fun words related to Christmas:

• Rensdyrvej 1
• Postboks 2412
• 1566 København V

The street name Rensdyrvej translates to 'Reindeer Way'. The Post Box number, 2412, is a clever reference to the date of Christmas Eve, the 24th of December (24/12).