Just like in every other country, there are many traditions associated with the celebration of Christmas in Finland.
The Christmas tree has usually been decorated before the eve, but at the last by then, it is brought inside and decorated – usually together with the children of the family.
At 12 o’clock Declaration of Christmas peace is proclaimed. You can follow it either in real life in Turku, or watch it on the tv. The Declaration of Christmas Peace has been read in Turku as an almost unbroken tradition for 700 years, dating back to the 14th century.
Visiting the graveyard is a very common thing to do on Christmas. It is a way of remembering loved ones by lighting up a candle in memory of those who have passed away. After that, families and relatives often gather up in someone’s place to enjoy a hearty dinner together. After eating, the anticipation for Santa Claus reaches its peak, as he usually visits in the evening after dinnertime. This is a tradition that differs from some other countries, as Santa Claus already visits on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas day.
It is told that many months beforehand Santa’s elfs (“tontut” in Finnish) have been spying on kids and their behavior in order to assess if they deserve any gifts. If you have been nice and kind, you get many gifts. On the other hand, if you haven’t been so nice, you get gifted a bunch of sticks.
Because this is Finland, of course the sauna is also an important part of Christmas. At Christmastime, most people usually go to the sauna during the day, before the sun goes down. There are some traditions and beliefs linked to the sauna during Christmastime, such as one ought to be quiet in the sauna – otherwise the mosquitoes will bite you in the summertime. The “sauna-elf” might also get furious if one makes noise in the sauna. And if you throw beer on the stove, it will give you good luck regarding next year’s harvest. The bravest people run straight from the sauna to roll around in the snow naked – it is believed to help with one’s circulatory system and in staying healthy.
The traditional Finnish Christmas foods are Christmas ham, different casseroles made out of root vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes and swedes, gravlax, mushroom salad and rosolli. The dessert can for example be gingerbreads, Christmas pastries and plum curd. The breakfast or lunch is usually rice porridge and karelian pies. The most famous drink during Christmastime is mulled wine/Glögg, which is essentially in Finland a berryjuice with added spices. Mulled wine can either contain alcohol or none at all.
The Christmas day is often reserved for just relaxing, going outside and eating Christmas foods. Many people visit the Christmas church, a service which is held very early in the morning. There are masses held also at night. In the past, all the stores and services were closed during Christmas, but nowadays at least some of the stores are open through the whole Christmas.
The second Christmas day – Boxing Day has traditionally been the day when people go for Boxing Day ride, in the past with horses or reindeers. Nowadays it is done with cars. The point of it is to visit relatives or friends. This is also the day when many people drive back to their own homes after Christmas celebrations, usually from the North back to Southern Finland.
You can spend a traditional and peaceful Christmas with us in Hotel Kalevala – you can find ready-made packages here.
