What is Jul? And What Are Juletræer?
A recent visitor to the farm couldn’t find the Christmas trees. When I pointed them out, he laughed and said, “Well, those aren’t American Christmas trees.”
Technically they are — we’re in North America, after all, and most of them are balsam firs native to Vermont. But I also understood what he meant. These trees look and feel more like a Scandinavian juletræ—open, airy, natural—shaped by the forest and guided by minimal pruning.
So here’s the story of Jul, the juletræ, and why these traditions fit beautifully with our mission at Windy Acorn Farm.
What Is Jul?
Jul has surprisingly little to do with Christianity. Long before the Vikings ever heard that Jesus had been born they celebrated Jul - a season of midwinter feasts, fire, and hope. In Denmark, the tradition is thought to date back as early as 600 BC. The word Jul is actually plural, referring to “the feasts.” And the Vikings took that seriously.
They gathered in the darkest part of winter to drink beer, share food (including animals sacrificed mostly by eating them), honor the gods, and encourage good harvests, fertility, and the return of light. It was not a solstice celebration, but likely happened sometime in January.
By the late 11th century, when King Harald Bluetooth declared the Danes Christian, the Church tried to convert Jul into a celebration of Christ—Christmas. They succeeded in changing the date to December 25, but never the name, nor the spirit. Scandinavians kept their old word and their old ways of eating, drinking, and gathering in the deep dark.
Because the Vikings believed a new day begins at sunset, Scandinavians still celebrate Jul on December 24, not the 25th. And in true Viking spirit, modern Danes celebrate from December 1 to December 26—many days, many parties. Just as the word says: Jul is plural.
The Juletræ and Its Open Shape
The Christmas tree is actually a new addition to the Jul tradition. It came from Germany and arrived in Denmark in the early 1800s. Families would bring the tree indoors on Lillejuleaften (December 23) or the morning of Juleaften (December 24), decorate it, light the real candles, and keep it up until January 6 (Three Kings Day).
To hold those candles safely, the tree needed:
strong branches
widely spaced whorls
an open shape so the next branch wouldn’t ignite
In earlier generations, the tree was hidden from children until after dinner on Juleaften, when the candles were finally lit. Decorations were simple and often edible: flettede hjerter (braided paper hearts), paper cones filled with cookies and candies, dough ornaments, and small treats tucked onto branches—very similar to the American candy cane tradition.
Of course, no one could eat the goodies until after dancing around the tree. Most Danish families still do this today: everyone holds hands and walks (or runs!) in a circle around the tree while singing julesange, the candles glowing softly. Often a favorite stuffed animal joins to make the circle big enough.
One beloved song sends the whole group snaking through the house in a long hand-held chain:
Nu det Jul igen! Nu det Jul igen!
It’s joyful, chaotic, and full of hygge. So much light in the darkest season.
The juletræ reminds us why we gather: to welcome the return of the light, to honor the gifts of trees, and to enjoy the nourishment they offer to wildlife and to us
Why This Tradition Belongs at Windy Acorn Farm
Our mission is to farm in a way that is deeply rooted in ecology, culture, and community—a perennial system that gives more than it takes. The juletræ tradition reflects those same values: a tree grows slowly and naturally with minimal stewarding from us, a celebration of winter light, simple, edible decorations, gathering and connection and many days of shared joy, and honors the gift that the forest gives year after year
Our trees grew in a woodland landscape filled with biodiversity. Their open, wild shape is exactly what a traditional Scandinavian juletræ looked like.
A natural tree grown in harmony with the ecosystem is a beautiful way to celebrate Jul. And this is only the beginning. In the years ahead, we hope to weave more Scandinavian Juletraditioner into life here at Windy Acorn Farm—small joys, big celebrations, and a few surprises tucked between the trees. Stay tuned… the story is growing.
Glædelig Jul!
Charlotte
