HyväÃ¤ Joulua Merry Christmas
Christmas is celebrated differently in different countries around the world. Finnish people believe that Father Christmas (Santa Claus) lives in the north 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. (It is only fair to say that the people of Greenland say that, really, Father Christmas lives in Greenland!) There is a big tourist theme park called ‘Christmas Land‘ in the north of Finland, near to where they say that Father Christmas lives.
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. Nuts and pieces of suet are also hung on trees in bags from the branches.
Everyone cleans their houses ready for the three holy days of Christmas – Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Christmas Eve is very special, when people eat rice porridge and plum fruit juice in the morning. They will then decorate a spruce tree in the home. At midday, the ‘peace of Christmas’ is broadcast on radio and TV by the City Mayor of Turku (which is south Finland). In the evening, a traditional Christmas dinner is eaten. The meal will include ‘casseroles’ containing macaroni, rutabaga, carrot and potato, with cooked ham or turkey.
Christmas gifts may be given out before or after the dinner. The children do not hang up stockings, but Santa Claus comes in person, often accompanied by as many as half a dozen Christmas elves to distribute the presents.
Explore these exciting sites learn more about Christmas in Finland. They include games, interactive advent calendars, Santa-mail, music, and recipes. Check them out!!