Finnish Christmas traditions 

Christmas is one of the most traditional and important holidays for Finns. At Christmas, families gather together to enjoy the Christmas season. Most of the traditions have been preserved for decades and they are intended to be passed on from generation to generation.

Preparations for Christmas often begin at the beginning of December by putting up Christmas lights outside, and as Christmas approaches, the number of Christmas decorations and lights increases. Homes are prepared for Christmas.

In Finland, Christmas Eve is December 24, while in many other countries it is December 25. Christmas is celebrated until Epiphany in January, when the Christmas decorations and lights are collected at the latest.

Before Christmas, small Christmas parties are often held, which give a taste of Christmas. They are often accompanied by a traditional Christmas meal. In addition, many traditional Christmas delicacies are enjoyed before Christmas, including mulled wine, gingerbread and Christmas tarts. Eating chocolate and various sweets is also part of the Christmas feast.

The Christmas tree is one of the most important Christmas decorations. In the past, fathers and children would gather a fir tree from the forest before Christmas Eve. Today, a Christmas tree can be bought from a store, a market, or it can also be made of plastic. The Christmas tree used to be decorated on Christmas Eve, but nowadays it is often decorated much earlier. Lights, balls, ribbons, and many other decorations that are associated with memories are hung on the branches of the Christmas tree. Each ornament tells its own story, and year after year, the tree collects new memories of Christmases spent together as a family. A star is placed on the tree, which represents the Star of Bethlehem. 

However, the actual Christmas traditions are related to Christmas Eve, the central traditions are the Christmas sauna, the Christmas table and Santa Claus. Christmas is often celebrated with family, gathering together and relaxing. Christmas traditions also include visiting graves and declaring Christmas peace. The declaration of Christmas peace is held in Turku, which is the oldest city in Finland. The declaration of Christmas peace begins at 12 o'clock and can now be seen on television and listened to on the radio.

Christmas Eve morning begins with rice porridge and plum pudding. The family gathers together for breakfast. One important part of Christmas is the search for the almond, meaning that the person who cooked the porridge has mixed a peeled almond into the porridge and whoever finds it will have good luck.

On Christmas Eve, many Finns go to a Christmas sauna. It is considered a way to calm down for the Christmas celebration.

As a child, Christmas Eve traditions also included watching Santa Claus' hotline on television. The program has been shown since 1991. In addition, the Snowman program is also a traditional Christmas television program. Traditionally, Christmas is a time for being together, spending time outdoors and indoors doing things. Together as a family preparing for the highlight of Christmas, the Christmas meal and the arrival of Santa Claus.

The Finnish Christmas meal is full of traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. Different parts of Finland have their own local customs and dishes on the table, but almost every Christmas table has several of the same traditional Christmas dishes. Christmas meals are leisurely and the whole family gathers around the same table. In many families, the Christmas table is festively set with candles, a cloth and decorations.

Christmas ham is the most important dish on the Finnish Christmas table. It is often baked in the oven at night and, once cooked, is coated with mustard and breadcrumbs. In addition, boxes are part of the Christmas table, such as a box of swede, carrot and potato. Boiled potatoes and rosolli with sauce are also served. A fish table is also part of the Finnish Christmas meal, where you can find, for example, salted salmon, smoked salmon and herring. In addition, mustard is served on the table with ham. Rye bread and Christmas loaf are also part of the Christmas meal. Dessert is often plum pudding and whipped cream or Christmas cake. Tarts, gingerbread, chocolates and sweets are also part of Christmas.

In Finnish Christmas, eating together is considered an important event throughout the year. In many families, the same recipes, serving methods and traditions have been preserved for decades.

After the Christmas meal, an important highlight of the eve, especially for children, is the arrival of Santa Claus. There is a knock on the door and the question "are there any good children here?" Santa Claus comes in and we exchange news and sing Christmas carols together. Finally, Santa Claus distributes the gifts and sings a song of thanks to Santa Claus. Santa Claus continues his journey to the next houses.

The gifts are opened together and we rejoice in each package. After this, the evening usually continues with socializing, playing games and watching Christmas programs. In addition, when hunger strikes, people eat more, and there is a saying that you can eat at night on Christmas.

The magic of Christmas is built on old traditions, nature, togetherness, and small moments that create warm memories.