More Danish schools are rethinking Christmas celebrations as children become overstimulated and stressed by December’s growing list of traditions and expectations.
Christmas Fun Turns Into Pressure
At Starup-Øsby School in Haderslev, the staff chose to tone down the holiday spirit this year. Teachers noticed that the many Christmas activities were making students restless and unfocused. The school now keeps December routines close to normal, with only a few select festive moments tied to learning.
School leader Anette Dahl explained that children, especially the youngest, became “completely wound up” by the constant stream of events and Danish Christmas traditions. To restore calm, the school now limits Christmas projects and avoids disrupting everyday routines. The goal is to keep children’s days familiar and manageable.
The December Marathon at Home
Meanwhile, many Danish families find the season overwhelming. Between advent calendars, school events, and “nisse” games, the month often becomes a mental marathon instead of a relaxing family period.
Child psychologist Signe Storch Jakobsen says the pressure does not come from one activity alone but from the sheer number of them. Families face expectations from schools, kindergartens, relatives, and even social media. Parents often feel that saying no could disappoint children or make them seem less engaged than other families.
For some households, the nightly visits from Santa’s little helpers—the so-called “nisse”—add even more work. What started as harmless fun can turn into daily stress. Children wake up earlier than usual to find gifts or clues, while parents scramble to keep the tradition interesting day after day.
When Christmas Fun Becomes Stressful
According to Jakobsen, all these small but constant demands can make both kids and adults anxious and tired. The expectation to do everything perfectly creates tension, even when parents just want to make memories.
She points out that enjoying the holidays does not require constant activity. Instead, families should focus on what truly creates joy and reduce unnecessary commitments. Some parents worry that skipping a Christmas event or buying cookies instead of baking them will make them seem lazy. But Jakobsen says this mindset hurts more than it helps.
How to Reduce Holiday Overload
The psychologist suggests a few practical steps to ease December stress.
Families can replace daily calendar gifts with weekly or shared ones. They can skip the competition to come up with the funniest “nisse tricks.” Buying cookies instead of baking is perfectly fine. And not everyone in the family needs to attend every holiday event.
She also advises scheduling rest days between Christmas and New Year to recharge, reminding parents that conflicts and tiredness are natural during busy times. Most importantly, she encourages families to be gentle with themselves and their children.
A Call for Calm Classrooms
Back in Haderslev, Starup-Øsby School’s decision reflects a wider conversation across Denmark. More schools are questioning how much celebration is too much.
Teachers observed that too many events—from Christmas crafts to singing performances—disrupted students’ focus and routines. Instead, they now integrate small festive activities into the curriculum. In the kindergarten, only one major December event is held, where families join for cutting and decorating crafts. Otherwise, teaching continues as usual.
Dahl explained that too much excitement leads to fatigue and conflict. By keeping the routine steady, children feel more secure and less overstimulated. The approach seems to work: calmer classrooms, fewer meltdowns, and children who enjoy the season without losing their balance.
Balancing Joy and Rest
Jakobsen believes families and schools alike should rethink the way they approach the holidays. Social expectations surrounding Christmas in Denmark have grown steadily, and what once brought comfort can now create stress.
Her advice to parents and institutions is simple: focus on meaning, not spectacle. Choose moments of connection over long to-do lists. In the end, a calmer December will likely feel more genuine and memorable—for both children and adults.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Christmas in Denmark: Explaining Danish Christmas Traditions
The Danish Dream: Best Psychologists in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Skole tager konsekvensen af “kuldrede” børn i julemåneden
