The tomte is believed to be most active at night, protecting the farm and homestead from any evil or
misadventurous spirit. He possesses incredible strength for his small size, and appears as an elderly
man wearing the clothing of a farmer. He is easily offended, and may withdraw his protection of the
holding if he feels it is warranted. The tomte is a traditionalist and does not like changing the way
things are done on the farm or homestead. If the farm is disrespected, if the animals are mistreated, if
swearing is frequent, or if workers or the owner is rude, the tomte will withdraw his protection.
To express thanks for the tomte's work and protection, it is customary to leave a large bowl of hot
porridge with a pat of butter on top for the tomte's consumption on Christmas Eve.
Another form of the tomte emerged on the scene in the late 1800s, and became known as the
Jultomte. The Jultomte has since been associated with the bringing of Christmas gifts to the family
home at Christmas time. Today the Jultomte still has his traditional characteristics, but the modern
form has become well marketed. The Jultomte is still short, but he is sometimes adult-sized. His desire
to remain hidden from sight still exists, as do his magical skills. Unlike Santa Claus, the Jultomte uses
the front door to enter the house and leave gifts; he is not overweight, he lives in a nearby forest, and if
he does have reindeer pulling a sleigh loaded with presents, the reindeer cannot fly. However, like the
old-fashioned tomte, the new Yule spirit also expects to receive a full bowl of julegrot (with butter on
the top) on Christmas Eve.
In Sweden, the Jultomte is accompanied by the Christmas goat, who pulls his sleigh as he delivers
gifts to the children's homes. In pagan times, the god Thor was said to ride across the sky in a chariot
pulled by two goats. Early Christians adopted the goat as a Christmas symbol. The ram is a
representation of Lucifer, who was conquered by the good Saint Nikolas, and he is destined to
accompany his master on his journey to distribute gifts to children. Today the goat, or ram, is a benign
straw figure (the Julbok), but is still a very easily identifiable Christmas symbol.
In Denmark today, the present version of the Julenisse is very different from the legends of the old
domestic nisse or tomte. The Julenisse is portrayed as an older, good natured, adult sized man (not
surprisingly the size of a father or uncle) with a long white beard, a red hat and red suit. He carries a
sack of toys on his back and visits children in their homes on Christmas Eve. He always asks, "Are
there any good children here?" ("Er det noen snille barn her?")
The Norwegian Julenisse is very much like our American Santa Claus, and is based upon the legend
of Saint Nikolas, who was the patron saint of children and seamen. He was known for his many kind
acts toward children. (Also, in Norway, nisse is a derivative of Nikolas.)
Danish, Finnish, and Norwegian children believe that Julenisse lives at the North Pole and has a
workshop there with elf helpers.
Legends of the domestic tomte and nisse meet the modern day version of the Jultomte and Julenisse
in the tradition of leaving a bowl of julegrot (porridge with a pat of butter on top) either in the house or
in the barn on Christmas Eve. This tradition is still practiced in most Scandinavian homes.
misadventurous spirit. He possesses incredible strength for his small size, and appears as an elderly
man wearing the clothing of a farmer. He is easily offended, and may withdraw his protection of the
holding if he feels it is warranted. The tomte is a traditionalist and does not like changing the way
things are done on the farm or homestead. If the farm is disrespected, if the animals are mistreated, if
swearing is frequent, or if workers or the owner is rude, the tomte will withdraw his protection.
To express thanks for the tomte's work and protection, it is customary to leave a large bowl of hot
porridge with a pat of butter on top for the tomte's consumption on Christmas Eve.
Another form of the tomte emerged on the scene in the late 1800s, and became known as the
Jultomte. The Jultomte has since been associated with the bringing of Christmas gifts to the family
home at Christmas time. Today the Jultomte still has his traditional characteristics, but the modern
form has become well marketed. The Jultomte is still short, but he is sometimes adult-sized. His desire
to remain hidden from sight still exists, as do his magical skills. Unlike Santa Claus, the Jultomte uses
the front door to enter the house and leave gifts; he is not overweight, he lives in a nearby forest, and if
he does have reindeer pulling a sleigh loaded with presents, the reindeer cannot fly. However, like the
old-fashioned tomte, the new Yule spirit also expects to receive a full bowl of julegrot (with butter on
the top) on Christmas Eve.
In Sweden, the Jultomte is accompanied by the Christmas goat, who pulls his sleigh as he delivers
gifts to the children's homes. In pagan times, the god Thor was said to ride across the sky in a chariot
pulled by two goats. Early Christians adopted the goat as a Christmas symbol. The ram is a
representation of Lucifer, who was conquered by the good Saint Nikolas, and he is destined to
accompany his master on his journey to distribute gifts to children. Today the goat, or ram, is a benign
straw figure (the Julbok), but is still a very easily identifiable Christmas symbol.
In Denmark today, the present version of the Julenisse is very different from the legends of the old
domestic nisse or tomte. The Julenisse is portrayed as an older, good natured, adult sized man (not
surprisingly the size of a father or uncle) with a long white beard, a red hat and red suit. He carries a
sack of toys on his back and visits children in their homes on Christmas Eve. He always asks, "Are
there any good children here?" ("Er det noen snille barn her?")
The Norwegian Julenisse is very much like our American Santa Claus, and is based upon the legend
of Saint Nikolas, who was the patron saint of children and seamen. He was known for his many kind
acts toward children. (Also, in Norway, nisse is a derivative of Nikolas.)
Danish, Finnish, and Norwegian children believe that Julenisse lives at the North Pole and has a
workshop there with elf helpers.
Legends of the domestic tomte and nisse meet the modern day version of the Jultomte and Julenisse
in the tradition of leaving a bowl of julegrot (porridge with a pat of butter on top) either in the house or
in the barn on Christmas Eve. This tradition is still practiced in most Scandinavian homes.
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