A Scandinavian December in Vermont - the Ultimate Hygge Month
Tiny rituals, warm lights, and the magic of Jul
Growing up in Denmark, Jul (Scandinavian Christmas) began on December 1st—always. That’s when the Julekalendar on TV aired the first episode of that year’s holiday series, one chapter per day leading up to the grand finale on December 24. The same morning, I opened the first gift in my Julekalender (Advent calendar), and my mom made risengrød (warm rice pudding) and æbleskiver (fried round dough balls) for dinner—both enjoyed in the warm glow of the kalenderlys, a candle marked with numbers that burns its way toward Juleaften (Christmas Eve). It was the start of a month filled with small traditions that made the dark winter feel “hyggelig” and bright.
Slowly, the house filled with decorations and nisser (Tomten or elves—they have many names), those mischievous little beings who bring both magic and trouble. And who knows—maybe a few will eventually wander into our tree stands at Windy Acorn. The magic of Jul takes its time, but it’s already beginning to settle into this land.
Making the Decorations - Scandinavian Style
Throughout December, we made our own ornaments—simple, homemade things that brought instant julestemning (Christmas spirit). One of the classics is the julehjerte, the woven paper heart that hangs on the tree and holds tiny cookies.
If you’re brave, I’ve added a pattern below that you can print, trace onto folded wrapping paper, cut, and braid.
If you’re less brave but patient, stay tuned—Windy Acorn hopes to host gatherings in future years where we make these together.
Cookies for the Dark Season
No Scandinavian December is complete without cookies. The tiny, peppery pebernødder are my favorite—crisp, spiced, and perfect for tucking into the julehjerter, hanging on the tree, or slipping into your pocket while skiing (somehow they don’t crumble!).
Here is our family recipe—one we hope to offer from our own little Julebageri in the coming years as Windy Acorn grows into a place where you can taste the season as much as see it.
This recipe makes around 350 small cookies (having a scale available is a must!)
Pebernødder Cookies
INGREDIENTS
500 g flour
½ tsp ammonium bicarbonate or baker's ammonia - this makes the cookies crispy
2 tsp ginger
2 tsp cardemom
½-1 tsp ground pepper
250 g sugar
2 tsp grated lemon peel
200 g cold salted butter
2 eggs
INSTRUCTIONS
First sift the flour, the baker’s ammonia and the spices together. Add the sugar, the grated lemon peel and the butter cut into small pieces. Crumble the butter into the flour mixture. Whip the eggs together and add that to the flour-butter mixture. Knead the dough together. If it is a little dry and does not come together add a little whipping cream until the dough forms a moist ball that does not stick to your hands, but is not dry. Take a half of a tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper with a little space between each. Bake these in a preheated oven at 350 F for 8-10 min. They need to be slightly brown on the bottom when they are done. Put them on a cookie rack to cool before eating. They become crispy as they cool!
Making ornaments and cookies—and tying their beauty and sweetness to the glow of the season—is a tradition of slowness, light, and joy. It’s something I love bringing with me into the darker Vermont winter.
Why These Traditions Matter Here - and How It All Comes Together
When we started Windy Acorn Farm, part of the dream was to carry a bit of this warmth and simplicity into this northern landscape - not as nostalgia, but as a way of building connection.
Traditions don’t have to be ancient to matter.They just need to be lived with intention, with a little wonder, and with people you love.
And while our farm grows real trees with their own story in a real ecosystem—full of wildlife, wind, and history—the true heart of Jul is something much smaller and more human: light in the darkness, shared food, handmade things, simple joy.
So whether you add a little Scandinavian hygge to your holiday this year or keep things Vermont-style, stay tuned—because in the coming years, as our farm grows, so will the Jul magic. Maybe there will be gatherings to make julehjerter, a nisse or two hiding in the trees, baked goods to brighten the season, or even a community dance around a tree.
Our story is starting to take shape —and we can’t wait to share it with you.
God Jul,
Charlotte
