Christmas with alpacas: An authentic Christmas market hidden in the forest
If you need to feel the calm of Christmas settle over you, you should treat yourself to this experience, which may be one of North Jutland’s best-kept Christmas secrets.
Just a 20-minute drive from the centre of Aalborg lies a place filled with authentic Christmas spirit, nature, and tranquillity.
At an old nursery, known until two weeks ago as Gartneriet Rosenlund, you can meet animals, taste homemade æbleskiver, and discover unique Christmas finds.
The nursery has been transformed into a true Christmas universe under the name Fredensfryd.
With family as a strong foundation
Fredensfryd is a family business run by Carina Brix Jensen with help from her husband, Henrik.
The couple took over the former Rosenlund nursery a few years ago. Since then, they have carefully renovated it and officially renamed it Fredensfryd last weekend – today functioning as both a nursery and a farm shop.
At Fredensfryd, guests can meet alpacas, beautiful Valais Blacknose sheep, runner ducks, and several other animals, taste homemade æbleskiver, and explore handmade Christmas treasures and stalls when the two annual Christmas markets take place.
A family community rooted in nature and reuse
At Fredensfryd, the whole family pitches in.
Carina’s husband, Henrik, takes care of the practical work and maintenance in his spare time, while her 88-year-old mother, Lis, spends each Christmas baking æbleskiver all day for the many market visitors.
The couple’s three adult children, their partners, friends, and other relatives also help out when Fredensfryd opens its doors for the Christmas markets.
Carina’s sister, Anitha Brix – an independent interior designer – has been responsible for the interior design and the concept behind the renovation.
“It has been very important to renovate with respect for its history so that it appears authentic – something Anitha has always been extremely focused on,” says Carina.
The nursery’s original details have therefore been preserved, including the characteristic iron pipes with red taps and the old greenhouses.
Sustainability also plays a big role.
Most of the interior consists of reused furniture and unique pieces created from materials found on-site or second-hand.
For example, the counter is built from old stable doors from a nearby farm, and the nursery’s original wooden sliding doors – once hidden away – have been reused as part of the décor.
Even the Christmas display – also designed by Anitha – has been created with sustainability in mind.
An old discarded planting table is now overflowing with Christmas decorations, and large wreaths and garlands, both with and without glitter, hang from weathered doors salvaged from the farm.
“These are exactly the kinds of details that make Fredensfryd something special,” Carina explains.
Christmas framed by nature
At Fredensfryd’s Christmas markets, visitors are welcomed with lobster soup cooked over an open fire in the courtyard, and in the stable, you’ll find local specialities – tastings of gløgg, cherry wine, and other delicious Christmas treats.
Guests can also take a walk in the nearby Aslund Forest, greet the farm’s animals, and explore the stalls in the farm’s barn and stable, where honey from their own beehives, beautiful decorations, ceramics, and plenty of Christmas ornaments are sold.
In addition to hosting what may be the most authentic and charming Christmas market of the year, Carina runs the nursery all year round – despite the fact that when she and her husband first bought it, they knew nothing about soil, plants, or crops.
“Fortunately, the previous owners were very helpful, and after two years of learning, I’ve really gotten the hang of it,” Carina says.
Today, part of one of the large greenhouses sets the scene for the cosiest Christmas display, while the other greenhouse is filled with seedlings that will be planted in spring.
Fredensfryd hosts its Christmas market during the last two weekends of November, and they can be followed on Facebook and Instagram.
