Christmas in Finland can be memorable for visitors because Finnish yuletide traditions are very different from many other countries and regions in the world. Finnish traditions may have some similarities to neighboring Scandinavian countries and some traditions are shared among other Christian households around the world, including in the USA.
On the first Sunday of December, also called First Advent, the Finnish Christmas season begins. Many children use Advent calendars that count the days remaining to Christmas Eve. Advent calendars come in many forms, from a simple paper calendar with flaps covering each day to fabric pockets in a background scene or painted wooden boxes with holes for small items.
Candles, Christmas trees and cards
December 13 is Saint Lucia Day, also known as the Feast of Saint Lucia. Saint Lucia was a third century martyr who brought food to hidden Christians. She used a wreath of candles to light her way, leaving her hands free to carry as much food as possible. In Finland, the day is celebrated with many candles and formal celebrations in every Finnish city. Traditionally, the oldest girl in the family portrays Saint Lucia, dressed in a white robe and a crown of candles. She serves her parents buns, cookies, coffee or mulled wine.
Just as the end of Thanksgiving is the signal for Americans to start the Christmas celebrations, St. Lucia’s Day is usually the day that Finns start buying and decorating Christmas trees. Families and friends also start exchanging Christmas cards at this time.
Relax, remember and party
Traditions on Christmas Eve in Finland include going to a Christmas mass if you are Catholic and visiting a Finnish sauna. Many Finnish families also visit cemeteries to remember their lost loved ones. They often have a porridge for lunch, with a hidden almond, where the person who receives it has to sing a song and is considered the luckiest person at the table.
Christmas dinner is served in Finland between 5 and 7 pm on Christmas Eve. The food traditionally consists of baked ham, kohlrabi casserole, beet salad, and other common Nordic foods.
Christmas Eve in Finland is filled with the brilliant sounds of local Christmas carols and songs. Santa Claus, called Joulupukki in Finnish , usually visits most houses on Christmas Eve to give gifts, at least to those who have been good. People in Finland say that Santa doesn’t have to travel too far as they believe he lives in the northern part of Finland called Korvatunturi (or Lapland), north of the Arctic Circle. People from all over the world send letters to Santa Claus in Finland. There is a big tourist theme park called Christmas Land in northern Finland, close to where they say Santa Claus lives.
And the celebration continues
Christmas in Finland doesn’t officially end until 13 days after Christmas Day, making the holidays truly a season, rather than a one-day celebration. Finns begin to wish each other affectionate Hyvää Joulua , or ‘Merry Christmas’, weeks before Christmas Day and continue to do so for almost two weeks after the official holiday.
