More Danes than ever are signing up for the Red Cross program “Christmas Friends,” where hosts and guests are matched to celebrate Christmas together. Yet, there are still more guests looking for homes than hosts ready to welcome them.
Growing Interest in Shared Christmas Celebrations
Every year in Denmark, volunteers and people looking for companionship during the holidays are matched through the Red Cross initiative “Christmas Friends.” The idea is simple: a Danish Christmas is often celebrated with family or close friends, but not everyone has a place to go. The program pairs hosts who have extra room with guests who would otherwise be alone.
As of this season, there are 471 registered guests waiting for an invitation and 395 hosts who have offered a seat at their table. That leaves dozens of people still without a place to spend Christmas Eve. Because of that, the Red Cross has once again asked more Danes to open their homes.
Despite the imbalance, the Red Cross says participation is rising across Denmark. Interest from both guests and hosts has grown in recent years. For many, it has become a cherished way to experience the warmth and spirit of giving that defines the Danish holiday season.
One Woman’s Tradition of Joining Stranger Families
In the small town of Tranbjerg, near Aarhus, retired resident Kirsten Hammerlund has celebrated Christmas several times with families she met through the program. Every second year, when she does not spend the holiday with her own family, she signs up as a guest.
Her decision started as a way to avoid sitting alone at home. Over the years, she has joined a variety of households. One Christmas she spent the evening with a family with small children and teenagers. Another year she celebrated with a group that included guests from India and Africa, learning new cultural traditions along the way.
Interestingly, this year she will take part in festivities at a nursing home in Aarhus. For Hammerlund, the experience has been both meaningful and energizing. She admits it can feel hard at first to ask for a place at someone’s table, yet she believes it is also an act of courage and connection.
The Challenge of Opening One’s Home
For many Danes, the idea of inviting a stranger for Christmas can feel uncomfortable. Søren Peter Hansen, director of the think tank Prospekt, argues that people often hesitate because of modern routines and social habits. In smaller communities of the past, inviting a neighbor was natural. In big cities today, social barriers are higher.
He points out that people tend to focus on the practical difficulties instead of the human side. In his words, the mindset needs to shift from logistics to compassion. Hansen believes this is especially true during a time when loneliness is rising, and community spirit can make a real difference.
The Red Cross agrees. The organization views Christmas as a unique moment to connect with others. It hopes to encourage new hosts before the holiday arrives so that every guest finds a welcoming table.
More Than a Meal
Without a doubt, programs like “Christmas Friends” represent more than just a shared dinner. They build bridges between generations, social backgrounds, and even cultures. Guests experience the joy of companionship, while hosts often describe the evening as meaningful and full of gratitude.
At the same time, it shows how Danes continue to value community and empathy, even within a modern and busy society. For anyone wondering how Denmark celebrates Christmas, this initiative offers a glimpse into the heart of the tradition: togetherness.
As the holiday draws closer, organizers remain optimistic that every person who wants company for Christmas Eve will find it through the program. For them, this is exactly what the season is meant to be about—offering warmth where it is needed most.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: How Does Denmark Celebrate Christmas?
The Danish Dream: Best Charities and Volunteering in Denmark for Foreigners
DR: Listen vokser med mennesker, der ikke ved, hvor de skal holde jul
