For the Teletubbies episode "Christmas in Finland", see, Overview of the role of Christmas in Finland. Beetroot salad, smoked salmon and/or pickled herring are served as side dishes to the main course. Advent calendars come in many forms from a simple paper calendar with flaps covering each of the days to fabric pockets on a background scene to painted wooden boxes with cubby holes for small items. December 13 is St. Lucia Day, otherwise known as the Feast of Saint Lucy. The tradition of declaring Christmas peace is known to date back to 13th century. The highlight of the evening comes when Santa knocks on the door and asks, “Are there any well-behaved children here?” In Sweden, Estonia and Finland, joulupukki (Christmas goat) was a man who dressed as a fertility rite character, a goat. The purpose of the barley or oat sheaf was to keep the birds away from the crop in the summer. Obviously, food plays a central part in Christmas celebrations in Finland, too. Lutefisk and porrige are some of the oldest Christmas foods. Christmas Eve in Finland is filled with the bright sounds of carols and local Christmas songs. Their Christmas follows the Christmas trees tradition and Advent calendars. Early-morning Christmas church on Christmas Day morning is part of the Protestant tradition. For those wondering where on earth Finland is, it’s a European country that has the fewest amounts of residents in its borders of all members of the European Union and it also has the second longest tunnel. The Declaration of Christmas Peace has been a tradition in Finland from the Middle Ages every year, except in 1939 due to the Winter War.. Finland - Christmas traditions & customs. In the old town of Turku, the former capital of Finland, a special ceremony is held to declare the beginning of "Christmas peace" period, starting at 12 o'clock noon on Christmas Eve and lasting for twenty days. This is the day the Christmas lights are turned on. Christmas and New Year in Finland. Finnish Christmas Traditions. ... Easter traditions in Finland are very interesting. Barley was replaced by rice in the 1800s. The outfit also included a mask made of birch bark and a sheepskin coat worn inside-out.[9]. Lessons from Content Marketing World 2020; Oct. 28, 2020. In the Finnish tradition, the Christmas period has usually been considered to start on Tuomas’s nameday on December 21 and to continue until St. Knut's Day on January 13. The Finnish Easter holiday is a blend of Pagan and Christian customs. Casseroles, prune soup and gingerbread biscuits were adopted from the upper classes in the 1800s and 1900s. [2] Unlike on other public holidays, public transportation stops almost completely on the afternoon of Christmas Eve[3] in Finland. Because it gets very dark early in the day around Christmas in many parts in Finland (around 3PM), it’s a tradition to go to cemeteries to visit the graves of family members. Everyone cleans their houses ready for the three holy days of Christmas - Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Turku is considered to be the oldest city in Finland and it has for centuries integrated Christmas traditions from all over Europe into the Finnish culture. Christmas is the most important holiday of the year – as in many other countries. Terri Mapes specializes in giving first-time Scandinavia visitors practical tips for their travels. [1] Especially the evening of Christmas Eve has become the most important day of the Christmas period, and is nowadays a paid holiday in most workplaces. Joulurauha (Christmas Peace) It’s an old Christian tradition to put war on hold during Christmas. Evening messages plus, 2009, no. Christmas In Finland goes on for another 13 days after Christmas which is why it is called the Christmas season. We also have fun games, jokes, recipes, and gift ideas for the whole … Many Finnish families also visit cemeteries to remember lost loved ones. [8], The Finnish Christmas has acquired some characteristics from the harvest festival kekri, that used to take place around the old All Saints' Day. The children usually dress up and go around giving Daffodils d… People washed in the Christmas sauna before the festivities, and food and drink gifts were left there for the elf. Some traditional Christmas decorations are himmeli (a hanging decoration made of straw) and Yule Goat. The Christmas period ends on Epiphany. The surface is usually thinly coated with breadcrumbs, rye flour, or mustard and broiled until nicely browned. Many Finnish families also visit cemeteries to remember lost loved ones. Meta: A look at Christmas traditions from Finland. Previously the Lutheran church was very strict about attending the Christmas church. In the morning of the 24th of December families gather together for Christmas rice pudding, served hot and topped with cinnamon, sugar and other spices. Nov. 2, 2020. At noon on Christmas Eve, peace is proclaimed with a ceremony in Turku, the former capital and oldest city in Finland. In Finland, the day is celebrated with lots of candles and formal celebrations in every Finnish town. Traditionally, the eldest girl in the family portrays St. Lucia, donning a white robe and a crown of candles. After that, baked Ham with mustard sauce is served with baked vegetables. Feeding small birds at Christmas is an old tradition and the peasant culture’s ritual that brought good luck to farming. They may have also believed birds to bring good luck to the home. The meals on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are quite elaborate. [16], The tradition to visit cemeteries to light candles on family graves was started in the 1900s. The Christmas gospel is heard and Luther’s hymn 21 Enkeli taivaan (Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her) is sung. Christmas in the Nordic countries is celebrated on Christmas Eve. Talking about other Christmas traditions in Finland, they begin much before the actual date of the festival. In Finland the Christmas tree is set up on Christmas Eve. This is reflected in several rhymes and jingles, such as Hyvä Tuomas joulun tuopi, paha Nuutti pois sen viepi (“Good Tuomas the bringer, bad Nuutti the taker of Christmas”). Christmas in Finland can be memorable for visitors because Finnish yuletide traditions are very different from many other countries and regions in the world. She used a candle-lit wreath to light her way, leaving her hands free to carry as much food as possible. [4], In the Finnish tradition, the Christmas period has usually been considered to start on Tuomas’s nameday on December 21 and to continue until St. Knut's Day on January 13. The Finnish Christmas starts on December 23 and ends after December 26. Getting together with friends and family during the Christmas season is always special, and heavy metal musicians are no exception – even if, on stage, they are bad boys and girls all year long. First Advent i.e. Blog. the first Sunday in December marks the beginning of the Christmas season. Reading the Christmas gospel before the meal became common at the end of the 1800s as a consequence of the Christian revival. The Christmas season in Finland begins on the Saturday before Advent, known as Little Christmas. Christmas traditions in Finland are based around family and the warmth of the family home. Gifts are given on Christmas Eve, and people eat on Christmas day which is followed by sauna. [15] Christmas calendars arrived in Finland after the second world war. Animals are given their own Christmas in Finland, with farmers sometimes hanging a sheaf of wheat on a tree to be eaten and pecked at by the birds. Christmas tree. During Christmas, the average amount of snow is normally around 40 centimetres in Lapland, 30 centimetres in Central Finland and 10 centimetres in Southern parts of Finland. It became a common practice at the graves of fallen soldiers after the Winter War and soon at other graves too. Old-fashioned Christmas fun in Helsinki. After a couple of Christmas ales, carols are sung with gusto. 23.12.2009, p. 7. If you did not attend, you were reprimanded publicly in the annual catechetical meeting. Traditional Christmas dinner in Finland comprises of a cold platter of fish like Graavi or Salmon, with fish eggs and salad on the side. [7] The Finnish Orthodox Church spends Christmas at the same time as the Western Christianity. Christmas in Finland it’s the time spent with family during the festive, traditional supper. Traditional Finnish Christmas decorations in Turku. Santa Claus, called Joulupukki in Finnish, generally visits most houses on Christmas Eve to give presents—at least to those who have been good. The Kekri tradition of leaving presents for the dead was moved to Christmas. In Finland, Santa, ( or Father Christmas) is where the big man lives. FINNISH CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. Finns often hope to have a white Christmas – at least everyone seems to have golden memories from their childhood when “there was always snow during Christmas”. [6] The third and fourth Christmas Day have also been called little holidays or midweek holidays. Finland’s heavy-metal stars reveal their lighter side at Christmas. Finnish winter in itself reminds a holiday: wonderful nature is dressed in a fantastic snow-white lace. Customs of Christmas explores the origins of our Christmas customs and traditions, like advent, candy canes, Christmas caroling, Christmas cards, Christmas lights. Saint Lucia was a 3rd-century martyr who brought food to Christians in hiding. Eating abundantly at the Christmas meal comes from the ancient Finns and relates to the agricultural year cycle and the festival of light celebrated around the winter solstice. The Christmas ham replaced the kekri lamb, and in the 1940s it was challenged by the wild turkey. It is commonplace to go in the sauna at Christmas. Finnish Christmas traditions In the old town of Turku, the former capital of Finland, a special ceremony is held to declare the beginning of "Christmas peace" period, starting at 12 o'clock noon on Christmas Eve and lasting for twenty days. Hi, I’m Wilbur.Is anyone else really excited for Christmas? Offices hold parties and in the homes families set up a little Christmas tree with little gifts for the children. Christmas is the time in which we all enjoy sharing traditions that remain through time. Baked ham is cooked for hours in the oven. In sauna you had to be very quietly, so the mosquitoes couldn’t find you next summer. There is a big tourist theme park called Christmas Land in the north of Finland, near where they say Father Christmas lives. They often have a porridge for lunch—with a hidden almond in it—where the person who gets it has to sing a song and is considered the luckiest person at the table. The most authentic Christmas Eve breakfast is rice pudding. They often have a porridge for lunch—with a hidden almond in it—where the person who gets it has to sing a song and is considered the luckiest person at the table. Christmas Eve, not Christmas itself, is the highlight of Joulu celebrations. Some cemeteries are so large, there are police on duty just to manage the traffic, and everyone must walk to last few yards to the grave. Christmas in Finland does not officially end until 13 days after Christmas Day, which makes the holiday time truly a season, as opposed to a single-day celebration. In the Nordic countries, the most important Christmas celebration takes place on Christmas Eve. [20], To preserve nature, some people choose a tree in the garden or nearby forest to decorate for the birds, instead of buying a Christmas tree. She serves her parents buns, cookies, coffee, or mulled wine. Finland is his home town. [13] The first Christmas trees came to Finland in the middle of the 1800s.[14]. There are plenty of holiday traditions, such as the Christmas Eve broadcast of the Declaration of Christmas Peace . [11][12] Decorations made of straw have their source in kekri, the harvest festival. Learn how and when to remove these template messages, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Joulusta voi nauttia myös yksin – yksinäisyys voi antaa hengähdystauon tai intoa tehdä uusia asioita", "Rakas, tuttu ja tunnelmallinen suomalainen joulu – jouluperinteet", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Christmas_in_Finland&oldid=996532599, Articles with dead external links from November 2017, Articles needing additional references from November 2017, All articles needing additional references, Wikipedia articles needing rewrite from December 2017, Articles with multiple maintenance issues, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Vento, Urpo: Joulu, vuoden suurin juhla. People in Finland say that Santa does not have to travel too far since they believe that he lives in the north part of Finland called Korvatunturi (or Lapland), north of the Arctic Circle. The day after Christmas is known as St Stephen’s Day or Boxing Day where family visits are common and it is tradition to go horse riding or sleigh riding since St Stephen was the patron saint of horses. Decorated Christmas trees became popular in Finland towards the end of the 19th century, although the habit of erecting festive trees is known to have been common already long before this in the Nordic countries.. Christmas trees are spruces, usually decorated with (nowadays electric) candles or lights, silver or golden … This is reflected in several rhymes and jingles, such as Hyvä Tuomas joulun tuopi, paha Nuutti pois sen viepi (“Good Tuomas the bringer, bad Nuutti the taker of Christmas”). [15], This article is about the public holiday in Finland. Christmas in Finland (as all over Scandinavia) is mostly about taking things slowly and enjoying the company of loved family members. Christmas dinner is served in Finland, between 5 and 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve. [19], The usual Christmas decorations are spruce twigs, Christmas tree, Christmas wreaths, straw goats, himmelis, apples, candles, Christmas tablecloths, Christmas flowers, outdoor torches, ice lanterns and sheafs. Why are they so concerned about keeping the Christmas spirit alive? soul birds, celebrated the mid-winter holiday with the living. The Christmas tree is considered by some as Christianisation of pagan tradition and ritual surrounding the Winter Solstice, which included the use of evergreen boughs, and an adaptation of pagan tree worship; according to eighth-century biographer Æddi Stephanus, Saint Boniface (634–709), who was a missionary in Germany, took an axe to an oak tree dedicated to Thor … Prior to 1774, Finland also celebrated a third Christmas Day, the day of apostle John the Evangelist on December 27, and a fourth Christ… Christmas sauna is a Finnish tradition. Traveling to Rovaniemi, Lapland in Finland for Christmas is more rewarding when equipped with some general information regarding the country’s traditions. The traditional dessert is a light rice pudding … Finnish traditions can have some similarities with neighboring Scandinavian countries and some traditions are shared among other Christian households around the world, including in the U.S. Christmas in Scandinavia: Traditions, Events, and Foods, Celebrate Christmas Italian Styles at These City Events, Christmas in New Mexico: Family Activities and Lights Displays, An Alaska Christmas: Festivals and Events, Christmas Activities and Festivities in the Greater Phoenix Area, 18 Places to Spend Your Christmas Vacation With Kids, Learn How to Celebrate St. Lucia Day in Scandinavia, Things to Do for Christmas in Northern Virginia, How Día de la Candelaria is celebrated in Mexico on February 2, Best Things to Do for Christmas in Nashville. Remote health initiatives to help minimize work-from-home stress; Oct. 23, 2020 Finnish Christmas Carols and Songs. [5] However, King Gustav III of Sweden cut them down to two, because the nobility and bourgeoisie believed that long holidays made the workers too lazy. [21] Before giving out the presents, some may light candles for the dead. People in wealthy families started giving each other presents at the beginning of the 1800s. Teoksessa, This page was last edited on 27 December 2020, at 04:22. Much like the end of Thanksgiving is the signal for Americans to start Christmas celebrations, Saint Lucia Day is usually the day that Finns begin to start Christmas tree shopping and decorating. [18], Christmas has traditionally been a family celebration, but in the 2000s it has become common to spend Christmas alone. Families and friends also begin to exchange Christmas cards at this time. Traditions on Christmas Eve in Finland include going to a Christmas mass if you are Catholic and a visit to a Finnish sauna. The Declaration is a reading at mid-day on Christmas Eve, in which listeners are encouraged to treat Christmas with respect and adopt an atmosphere of peace. The Finnish pagans may have believed that the dead, i.e. Discover these strange and magical Christmas tales from Lapland, and how they have shaped our modern Christmas traditions. Evidence of this is even the name of the month December – “Joulukuu” – “Christmas month”. Posti Group has been publishing Christmas stamps since 1973. Many times ago it was the most important part of the Christmas, and the heating of the sauna was started very early, sometimes already the night before so everyone could go to sauna before it got dark outside. On Christmas Eve, Danes have a Christmas dinner usually consisting of duck or goose, red cabbage, and caramelized potatoes. Having a sauna at Christmas is an old tradition. People from all over the world send letters to Santa Claus in Finland. Prior to 1774, Finland also celebrated a third Christmas Day, the day of apostle John the Evangelist on December 27, and a fourth Christmas Day, Massacre of the Innocents on December 28. The first Sunday in December—also called the First Advent—starts the Finnish Christmas season. Pork roast is the main dish in most households and a variety of fish, casseroles and salads are served with it. The Finnish consume the largest amounts of coffee in the wor The meal traditionally consists of oven-baked ham, rutabaga casserole, beetroot salad, and other foods common in the Nordic countries. Finns start wishing each other a hearty Hyvää Joulua, or "Merry Christmas," weeks before Christmas day and continue to do so for nearly two weeks after the official holiday. Nuts and pieces of suet are also hung on trees in bags from the branches. Finnish Christmas Main Dishes If salmon is the queen of the Finnish Christmas table, ham is definitely the king (joulukinkku). Nowadays candles may be lighted as a common experience to honor the dead.[17]. He put goat horns on his head as in shamanistic tradition to look like a goat. Finland marks ‘official’ start of Christmas with peace declaration 24.12.2019 Finland declares Christmas Peace in 700-year-old tradition 24.12.2018 Finland declares Christmas Peace against snowless backdrop 24.12.2017 Finland declares Christmas Peace amid security concerns 24.12.2016 Security stepped up for Turku Christmas Eve ceremony [22], The Finnish Yule table normally features different casseroles made usually of carrot, swede (lanttulaatikko) or potato (sweetened potato casserole) and various fish, such as cold smoked salmon, gravlax and Coregonus lavaretus (graavisiika). The traditions and holidays in Finland are a perfect blend of their pagan customs and Christianity. [10] In Sweden, the church was against this tradition, and it was about to disappear in Finland too, until some newspapers and charitable organisations revived it. This tradition was called “Christmas Peace” in Finland, and has been kept alive ever since the war. Traditions on Christmas Eve in Finland include going to a Christmas mass if you are Catholic and a visit to a Finnish sauna. poinsettias, Christmas seals, Christmas trees, gift giving, hanging stockings, nativity scenes, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, Santa Claus, and more. From the First Advent, people, especially the children, maintain the advent calendar, wherein they keep checking the coming of Christmas. Many children use advent calendars that count down the remaining days to Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve people usually eat rice porridge. The tree is decorated with fat balls. Christmas in Finland begins, as is commonplace on public holidays in Finland, on Christmas Eve. 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