What are kravlenisser?
Danish Kravlenisser are mischievous folklore creatures, often translated as “crawling elves” or “creeping elves.” These tiny, gnome-like beings are known for their playful pranks and their love of mischief.
Size: Nisser are typically very small, often described as being no larger than a child’s hand.
Appearance: While their exact appearance can vary, they are often depicted as having pointed ears and mischievous grins (and a hat, of course).
Behavior: Nisser are known for their love of playing tricks. They might hide shoes, tangle hair, or even move furniture around while people are asleep. However, their pranks are generally harmless and often seen as a sign of good luck; don’t forget to leave them out a bowl of rice pudding on Christmas Eve!
Kravlenisser (literally “crawling-pixies) are more accurately described as “shelf-pixies.” The first drawings were originally designed by Danish cartoonist Frederik Bramming in the 1940s and they are usually purchased in printed out sheets, to be cut out with scissors at home. Each pixie has a little paper tab that can be tucked under a book or taped to a shelf, and they are usually indulging in some sort of miscreant behaviour! We’ve designed our own free printable for you to download and colour in with your family for a Hygge Family Christmas Craft Evening… or why not have a go at learning how to make Danish woven paper stars, or lovely hanging Danish heart baskets. We’ve even got a free Scandi Christmas quiz for you to download for a night of family fun!
Download the elves here! Free kravlenisser Danish elf printable download colour in hyggestyle
Set of 2 traditional red and white button knitted Christmas pixie nisse girls
Nisse (from Denmark) and Tomte (Sweden) are very similar characters, mischievous little characters traditionally responsible for guarding the home or farmstead. If you treated them well they would look after you, but if you forgot to leave them a bowl of porridge, then at the very best you could expect to have your shoes hidden! Make sure you leave them a bowl of rice pudding on Christmas Eve (…
