There are a few things that do not go unnoticed if you spend Christmas in Denmark.
#1, Hearts! A heart is the most predominant Danish Christmas symbol.
Making a Christmas heart (Julehjerte) is a popular Christmas craft for kids. It is easy and fun. If you don’t want to make hearts for Christmas this year, save this idea for Valentine’s Day!
- We used red and white paper, because those are Christmas colors here in Denmark.
- Cut each piece into a matching U-shape and cut slits that go up to the rounded bit, but not all the way up. Like this:
- Begin weaving the pieces together, overlapping in intervals
- Once it is all weaved through, add a little glue to the edges to keep it together.
- Make several and punch holes in the top and string them together to make a garland for the tree or to hang on the wall.
They look rather nice with a matching set of Danish flags. When I read that the Danish flag is a symbol of Christmas, I had to chuckle just a little. I have never known a country to love (and use) their flag more than Danes. If you go to a party, it will most likely be decorated with Danish flags. Attending a summer barbeque at the park? Danish flags will be there. Your child turns a year old? You better have Danish flags on the baby’s cake. So of course it would be a symbol of Christmas! Why not?
Another common sight, are paper cones filled with wrapped candy or cookies. These can be used as gifts, but are often seen hanging from the Christmas tree. I wanted to make some of these using fabric, but the paper version allowed the kids to be more involved. Perhaps I’ll make some fabric ones next year.
- Cut a triangle with a rounded bottom (like a gnome hat!)
- When they are still flat, have your child decorate them with stickers, glitter, stamps, etc…
- Roll paper into a cone shape and tape the long sides together.
- Punch holes in 2 sides and hang with string or glue a long strip of paper as a handle on top (like we did).
I also tried my hand at a Christmas heart/paper cone combination (or basket). It turned out really cool, but took me a good 5 minutes of frustration, to weave all the bits through (I am not an origami mommy!) and it was pretty impossible for the kids to grasp. So I made one, and then we switched to the more simple version, shown above. Here is the tutorial for the heart basket, if you are interested.
What wonderful memories you are giving your children!!! Merry Christmas!
Wow! these look amazing. I teach with a young man from Denmark and he showed me how to make these last year. They look so pretty on the tree and I decorated my dining room with the hearts.
Happy Days!
Thanks ladies. We’re having fun, new experiences this holiday season!
– M