JulhyggeMichael wasn’t in the kitchen. Or the barn. Signe had already checked the parlour and the main room (now men’s and women’s quarters, respectively) and it was starting to look like he wasn’t at the farm at all. Going out, she asked a couple of people until she learned someone had seen him walk towards the rocky hill to the north of the farm. And sure enough, she found him there, sitting on the cliff and gazing towards his childhood home, and beyond, out to the sea.
“There you are! I was looking for you! Are you feeling down again?”
“I guess I am… I just realized it’s going to be Christmas soon. Or, 24th December anyway. I don’t think we’ll be having any celebrations this year either.”
“Hmm, you know what, I think we should!”
“But… everything is terrible! The world has come to an end!”
“That’s exactly why! We all deserve some hygge in the midst of all the terrible things! Sure, we probably won’t be having much of a feast, but we can bring in a Christmas tree and sing the songs! The children would love it!”
“Hmm, yeah… but if you are going to suggest it to Mathilde, please do it carefully! Remember the meltdown she had last year when Mette asked when it’s time for Christmas?”
“How could I forget! I understand her, last year was… bad.”
“You know, you are the master of understatement. Bad it was, indeed.” Michael wasn’t sure whether to be amused about Signe’s choice of words.
“I try my best! But this year is ever so slightly better, don’t you think? We are still alive, for starters. That’s something!”
“Yes, we are still alive. For now.”
The year had indeed been bad. Even with the shocking news pouring in from the mainland and from around the world, many tourists and visitors to Bornholm had chosen to return home in the first weeks, after the navy wasn’t stopping vessels anymore. But many had stayed, and there had been a lot of dispute over where to house everyone during winter, with the electricity shortage and all. There were several extra people staying on the farm (not counting Signe of course, she was practically family now) and the largest rooms of the main house had been converted to living quarters of sorts.
But room wasn’t really the issue. Food was. At first, their main concern had been infection. After they had organized the Island Watch and the sightings started, they had to fear attacks from the monsters. For a while, it hadn’t occurred to anyone to ration food – and who could blame them? It’s not like anyone ever trained for an apocalypse! But when the stores started running low and it was becoming painfully clear that no help would be forthcoming ever again, they had had to organize on the fly.
Signe had played a part in making sure everybody understood they only get their quota (the Madsens all agreed that it was better she kept watch over the food rather than cook any of it) and somehow most of their people had made it to the spring. In fact, the Madsen farm had only lost three, all of them because they ran out of essential medical supplies – one of them had been diabetic while two had lost their will to live after their pills ran out. It was better than most, and a lot better than in the northern parts of Bornholm.
They had even managed to keep enough animals to later get some lambs and piglets, and after the weather had been good enough to get a decent crop despite the many difficulties, it was now looking like they wouldn’t starve during the second winter either. Yes, it would be meager, but it should keep them all until next summer. So that surely is something!
On the 24th they did “feast”, with an extra piece of cheese for everyone. The children even got some gifts, things traded with other farms. They brought in a tree and danced around it and sang all the Christmas songs. It wasn’t much, but it was much much more than could have been expected. They had their safe-ish island, their farm, and some food for everyone. Plenty to be grateful for. So, they sang like Danes at Christmas, and taught their childhood songs to each other, late into the Christmas night.
After most people had found their beds, Signe asked Michael to step outside under the stars. There she handed him a package, wrapped in cloth. “The wrapping is my other shirt and I will be needing it back. But here’s a little something for you. Happy Christmas, Michael.”
Michael was astonished. “But, but, you didn’t need to… I don’t have anything for you!”
“Of course you don’t, you silly man!” Michael was mortified, but softly, Signe continued “You have already given me everything you have. Everything
I have, and more. When you took me in, I had nothing but the clothes on my back, and yet here we are!”
“Of course I… we took you in!”
Signe continued, deep in thought. “Just to think, I was sure that with my phone, passport and credit card with me, I would be ready for anything. Ha, the definition of “anything” at the time… I even kept some cash in my purse just in case I came upon a sudden termination of employment. Everything I need right here, that was the idea. Well, much good did all those important items do!”
“We share what we have to survive, you know that better than anyone! Besides, your skills have been invaluable! The tractor wouldn’t have worked without you. And I’m sure the way you organized the food stores saved us all.”
“Oh, you flatter me! What about my cooking?”
“Oh, um, yes, I…” Michael staggered.
“Don’t worry, silly! I know cooking isn’t one of my strong suits… But I did have one useful item. Open your package now!” Signe nearly passed the oblong item to Michael but stopped mid-movement. “Oh, and when considering whether it’s suitable as a gift, please note that it’s true craftmanship! I bought it from London. Not likely we’ll be getting any of similar quality any time soon. Plus, it’s connected to an important life event. I once borrowed it to someone, and that led to the best thing I have.”
Finally, Michael got his gift and unwrapped it. It was a folded, sturdy umbrella. “May it last long and keep you dry!”
“Oh, Signe, thank you. It’s very… sturdy. Useful. But you said the best thing… do you mean..?”
“Yes, I do. Shut up and appreciate your gift now. And maybe give me a kiss.”
[hr]
The Danes actually do sing and dance around the Christmas tree! I have read accounts by Finns living there, and some say the Danes still love to do it, while others say “everybody hates it and it’s really awkward, but they still do because that’s what you do at Christmas.” But in either case, it seems like something that would bring some julhygge* into the still dire situation, without costing many resources.
Most of them also still use live candles in the tree, but as I didn’t want to burn down the Madsen farm, I didn’t mention that. And they couldn’t have afforded many in any case, this is very early days.
All in all, the Danes love Christmas! It's the highest point of hygge of the year, and they make the most of it. In Denmark, like in Finland, the 24th of December, Christmas Eve, is the most important day, when most of the gifts are given and the feasting starts. The meltdown Mathilde had had was desperation and grief over not being able to have a Christmas for the children.
* hygge is a Danish concept of coziness and comfort, enjoying the small good things in life a warm atmosphere generating a feeling of well-being and contentment. Live candles, woollen socks, a piece of wooden furniture smooth and lovely to the touch due to having been used by one’s family for decades, handmade cookies. You know the drill. Hopefully
