Finland

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People in Finland have a sauna on Christmas Eve. A sauna is a very hot room with a fireplace in the corner of it.

(See the photo to the left)

Christmas Eve is more important to the Fins than Christmas Day. It is the day when they have their main Christmas meal and open their presents.

At about mid-day on Christmas Eve, 'Christmas Peace' is declared over all Finland from the country's former capital, Turku. It is a ceremonial 'opening' of the Christmas season.

The traditional Christmas dinner in Finland, is ham with homemade mustard and boiled potatoes, followed my rice porridge for dessert. If they find an almond in the rice porridge they can make a wish.

In Finland, Father Christmas is called Joulupukki.

Joulupukki lives in Korvatunturi in Lapland, on the border of Finland and Russia.The name Korvatunturi literally means "Ear Fell" (mountain). Finnish children are told that from this Ear Fell Joulupukki can hear what all the children are saying so he can find out if the children behave and obey their parents (and therefore may receive gifts next Christmas).

Joulupukki visits every home on Christmas Eve. The children actually get to see him before they go to bed. He brings presents for the children.

A traditional decoration is a geometric mobile made of straw called a 'himmeli' .The straw is first soften by placing it in a sauna and then threaded to make triangles, squares and eight sided figures. (Click here to see an example)

Christmas is usually white in Finland. It snows!

If you would like tell us about your Christmas in Finland , please send an email to woodlandsweb@hotmail.com or leave a message in our guest book.