JYU Student Ambassadors


header

Finnish Christmas Traditions

Santa Claus aka Joulupukki

»tis the season to be jolly, fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la«

Since Christmas is just around the corner we will present some Christmas (winter) traditions that are typical in Finland around Christmastime.

First Sunday in December
The first Sunday – the First Advent – starts the Finnish Christmas season and the first candle is being lit. Many children use advent calendars to count down the remaining days to Christmas Eve. Calendars come in many forms, from paper calendars to painted wooden boxes where you can store small gifts for each day leading to Christmas.

Independence Day celebrations

Finnish Independence day
After the first weekend of Advent, Finns celebrate their Independence day, which coincides with the feast day of Saint Nicholas on December 6th. For Finnish people, this is a very patriotic day and they light up special white-and-blue candles for the celebration. This tradition dates back to the 19th century as then two candles were the mark of Finnish nationalism. The highlight of this national holiday is staying at home and watching Presidential Independence Day Reception – so basically Finns celebrate their independence by watching other people party. Pretty weird right?

Pikkujoulut – little pre-christmas parties
All through December there are many “pikkujulout” or pre-Christmas parties held to anticipate Christmas. Usually, co-workers, sports clubs, organizations or just groups of friends come up with fun activities to celebrate before Christmas. Pikkujoulu is non-formal and highly festive party and if you move to Finland, you will have at least one (if not many) of them.

The Christmas tree
The Christmas tree is brought to the Finnish home latest by 24th of December. One interesting fact is that since 1954, Helsinki has donated a Christmas tree to Brussels.

Biggest celebration on the Christmas Eve
In the Nordic countries, the most important Christmas celebration takes place on the Christmas Eve. Everyone tries to be home for Christmas, including fishermen who try to get their boats into harbour by December 21st. Christmas Eve traditions include Christmas sauna and preparation of the dinner which is served between 5 and 7 pm. Some families also visit cemeteries to remember the loved ones. The highlight of the evening comes when Santa knocks on the door and give children the presents. Santa Claus (or Father Christmas - Joulupukki), according to Finns, lives in north part of Finland called Korvatunturi.

never without sauna
Christmas food
Some people say that when it comes to Finnish Christmas food, there are two key things: quality and quantity. Some typical dishes are:
* Salmon (the queen of Finnish Christmas food) and herring
* Beetroot salad
* Christmas ham
* Rice pudding – it is almost always served on the last day of school before the Christmas holiday starts and many families also eat it as lunch on Christmas Eve. On this occasion, Finns usually hide an almond in the porridge and person who finds it gets a wish.
* Christmas treats: gingerbread, Joulutorttu (star-shaped plum pastries, plum quark)

Joulutorttu

Rice pudding

Christmas day
Christmas day is time for rest and relaxation and Finns usually spend it with their families. The next day, on Boxing day (26th December) people visit their friends and relatives and go out for skiing. Christmas in Finland does not officially end until 13 days after Christmas Day, which makes the holiday truly a season, as opposed to a single-day celebration. After Christmas holidays it is time to get prepared to welcome the New Year. Christmas ends with Epiphany, January 6th.


And if you fancy learning some Finnish for the end here are some unique Christmas greetings:
* Hyvää joulua – Merry Christmas
* Rauhallista joulua – Peaceful Christmas
* Hauskaa joulua – Fun Christmas
* Valoisaa joulua – Bright Christmas
* Ihanaa joulua – Lovely Christmas

So until now you have probably realized “joulu” means Christmas. For the end of this article, we wish to all of you Hyvää Joulua and hope that you spend it with your family and loved ones.

Tjaša Ocvirk

Finnish Christmas Traditions Finnish Christmas Traditions Reviewed by ambassadors on 10:36 Rating: 5

23 comments:

  1. Nice to know about Finnish Christmas Traditions. Christmas is celebrated not only in Finland but it is celebrated all around the world.
    property for sale in Paniyali haldwani

    ReplyDelete

  2. تركيب أثاث ايكيا بالرياض
    شركة نقل اثاث بالرياض
    تقديم خدمة نقل الأثاث بأفضل خدمة وأقل تكلفة وأسرع وقت وملائم للعملاء لتنفيذ عملية نقل الأثاث وتوفير المال والوقت للعملاء. جميع خدمات شركتنا بمعنى الخدمات الشاملة

    ReplyDelete
  3. I need to express my deep gratitude to you. I have bookmarked your site for future updates.
    among us

    ReplyDelete
  4. Goa State's most prominent body is the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. It is in charge of conducting the SSC test every year. The Goa Board will begin the SSC test in the second week of March. Goa SSC Blueprint 2023 For the benefit of students, GBSHSE has published the Goa Board 10th Exam Pattern 2023 on the board website. On the board's website, students may find a variety of useful information.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I want to tell you how much you mean to me. Please keep me apprised of any new content on your site by adding it to my bookmarks. fireboy and watergirl

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm new to your blog, idle mining empire so I appreciate you sharing. The food looks delicious, and I can't wait to try it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I read an article about Commercial law assignment help. This article was also very good but I see your Finnish Christmas tradition We wait for this season since the beginning of the year Christmas is really fun.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Longer-standing customs in Finland involve going to the Christmas sauna and church, paying a visit to the cemetery on Christmas Eve, retro bowl listening to carols, opening the Advent calendar, lighting candles, and looking for a Christmas tree.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Burn case is studied and opened for the new students in the department. All the issues of the Right Fit For Risk (RFFR) for all people. The changes dumped for the categories. Challenges are met for the successive movement of the turns for the options.

    ReplyDelete
  10. CBSE 5th Class Solutions 2024 Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has Conducted Class 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Class Final Examination Every Year Month of February to March Months and High School & Primary School Exam in Month of April, CBSE Announce Exam Date Sheet 2024 Very Soon, Students Check Solution 2024 of Various Subject of Accountancy, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, CBSE 5th Class Solutions 2024 English, Geography, Hindi, History, Mathematics, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Sanskrit, Sociology, Urdu etc, CBSE 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Solutions 2024 Solved by Senior Expert Teachers for Students Skills Development, we have taken utmost care while Preparing Maths Solution for Class 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and the Solution are written in a Proper form and as per the marking Scheme Suggested by the Central

    ReplyDelete
  11. USA embroidery digitizing said...
    Thanks for posting this chritmas article this is very nice and I love chritmas very much because chritmas days are very cool.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Typically, the biblical meaning of walking in a dream signifies a new path in your life. It is a message from Jesus.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I wish to express my gratitude for you. Please add your site to my favorites so that I am informed of any updates. bitlife

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sports enthusiasts can rejoice as the Rec TV App provides live streaming access to prominent sporting events including football, basketball, cricket, and more. Enjoy free streaming of Turkish web series, movies, and TV series on iNatBox Website.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love learning about Finnish Christmas traditions! And hey, if you're into adding a unique touch to your holiday crafts, check out our exceptional Applique Digitizing Service. Let's turn your festive ideas into beautifully stitched designs!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Drift across the world with style and skill in drift hunters Join the international drift community, challenge opponents globally, and leave your mark on the drifting scene.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Welcome to a world where excitement is endless and every adventure introduces a unique thrill unlike any before. We aim to provide only the highest quality free games

    ReplyDelete
  18. Game design itself is a snake io creative endeavor, inspiring players to appreciate and engage with creativity.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for posting this chritmas article this is very nice. Please our site and checks out our exceptional Digitizing Service. Let's turn your unique ideas into beautifully stitched designs.

    Embroidery Digitizing Company UK

    ReplyDelete
  20. Fabulous, what a blog it is! This web site presents helpful information to us, keep it up.

    Good article. I’m going through many of these issues as well..

    ReplyDelete
  21. A visit to the sauna is a crucial part of the Finnish Christmas Eve. It’s a time for relaxation and purification before the evening festivities. solar smash

    ReplyDelete
  22. I really like the Christmas Pokerogue atmosphere, it looks so cozy.

    ReplyDelete