Erik Bendtsen Christmas bowls arranged on a wooden table

A Little Danish Christmas Tradition, Beautifully Handmade

A bowl of warm risengrød, a dusting of cinnamon sugar, and a little butter melting in the middle. Sometimes, Christmas begins with the simplest things.

Erik Bendtsen Christmas bowls arranged on a wooden table
A little Danish Christmas, handmade by Erik Bendtsen.

There are Christmas decorations we hang on the tree, and there are those we bring to the table. Erik Bendtsen’s charming Christmas bowls belong to the latter: useful, beautifully handmade pieces that become part of the season’s familiar rituals.

Made in Copenhagen by master potter Erik Bendtsen, they bring together Danish craftsmanship and the warmth of a much-loved Christmas tradition. Creamy glazed interiors frame little festive pictures, with rims picked out in red or green. A smiling snowman, a candle among evergreen branches, a red heart above the words God Jul — each has a character of its own.

A place at the Christmas table

In Denmark, Christmas wouldn’t be quite the same without risengrød: traditional rice porridge served warm with cinnamon sugar and a knob of butter. It is a wonderfully comforting dish for a dark December evening, and these bowls make the occasion feel just a little more special.

We love the idea of everyone choosing a favourite design. The snowman for one, the drum for another; perhaps the Danish flags for someone with a little piece of Denmark in their heart. Brought out each December, even an everyday bowl can become something everyone remembers.

Handmade Danish Christmas bowls grouped on a wooden stool
Choose a favourite, or mix the designs around the table.

Eight little pictures of Christmas

The collection offers eight festive designs, lovely individually and full of charm together. Choose matching bowls for a quiet table setting, or let candles, trees, flags and mistletoe mingle.

Candle Christmas bowl by Erik Bendtsen
Candle
Snowman Christmas bowl by Erik Bendtsen
Snowman
God Jul Christmas bowl with a red heart
God Jul
Christmas Cone bowl by Erik Bendtsen
Christmas Cone
Drum Christmas bowl by Erik Bendtsen
Drum
Christmas Tree bowl by Erik Bendtsen
Christmas Tree
Dannebrog Danish flag Christmas bowl
Danish Flag – Dannebrog
Mistletoe Christmas bowl by Erik Bendtsen
Mistletoe

And a little something for the nisse

Of course, there is one more place to remember. Don’t forget to leave a little risengrød for the nisse! It is a lovely touch of Christmas magic: a small bowl set aside, a spoonful of porridge, and the possibility that someone very small might visit while the house is quiet.

Erik Bendtsen illustrations of all eight Christmas motifs
The eight Christmas motifs, in Erik Bendtsen’s illustrated collection.

A tradition to give, and to keep

A Christmas bowl makes a thoughtful present for a host, a friend who loves Denmark, or someone beginning Christmas traditions of their own. Give a single favourite, choose a pair, or start a family collection to bring out year after year.

These are the kinds of pieces we love at BON TON goods: made with care, lovely to live with, and ready to take their place in the little rituals that make a home.

Discover Erik Bendtsen’s Christmas bowls in our Malmö shop and online.

Discover the Christmas Bowls

Pottemager Erik Bendtsen maker’s name

God Jul from BON TON goods.

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