Christmas in Finland
Christmas in Finland has many of the same characteristics of the
traditional American Christmas. Finnish children receive Christmas
presents on Christmas Eve, believe in a "Santa Claus", and part of
their festivities include decorating a spruce tree. However, there
are also a few attributes to the Finnish Christmas that makes it
completely unique to Finland.
would see a beautiful sight. Hundreds of candles blanket the
cemetery grounds. Many families visit cemeteries around Christmas
time to put candles on the graves of family members. Cemeteries in
Finland are beautiful sights during the Christmas holiday nights.
Finland is also unique because, according to the story, Santa
Claus lives in the upper part of Finland, in the Arctic Circle. A
big tourist theme park has even sprouted in northern Finland
called "Christmas Land". This is near to where they say Santa
Claus lives. People from all over the world send letters to Santa
in Finland. This traditional belief that Santa lives in Finland
has spread worldwide.
A typical Finnish Christmas would occur much like the American
Christmas. On Christmas Eve morning, people eat rice and porridge
and plum fruit juice. Next they decorate a spruce tree, just like
the festive Christmas tree found in many homes in America. At
noon, a famous speech is broadcast on radio and television called
"the peace of Christmas." The mayor of the Finnish city of Turku
says this speech. At night, a traditional Christmas dinner is
eaten. Casseroles of macaroni, rutabaga, carrot and potato fill
the tables with food and the houses with mouth-watering smells. A
ham or turkey is also cooked for this dinner.
...And from Jen, me, and Jillian, have a great Christmas!
For this site:
You are visitor number 13299550
Thanks for your visit!