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So it is Christmas - Finnish Christmas Tradition

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Kenna Real Estate ER40035749

Christmas in Finland

I grew up in Finland.
My small hometown is located just above the Arctic Circle. And yes, this time of the year, you really don't see the sun. During the summer time we have 24 hours of daylight.

There are many things I miss from and about Finland and one of them is spending Christmas time with my family. I was the only one that made it to this side of the big pond.


This is my Christmas Story, a Finnish Christmas tradition.


Written by Rita 7 years

Christmas TreeA few days ago my dad, our dog Pennu and I went to the woods looking for that perfect tree. It was hard to walk as the snow was heavy and up to my thighs. Every once in awhile we stopped, dad knocked down snow from the tree with the butt of the axe to inspect it.

The air was crisp and it was snowing again.
Finally, we stopped at a tree that looked perfect. Dad went to work and in no time we were walking back to the car, dad dragging the tree behind him.


When we get home, dad left the tree outside,
until yesterday morning when he brought it in and set it in our family room.


Decorating the treeThe tree was still cold and a few icicles were hanging from the branches, but my mom and I started to decorate it immediately. We hung some lights, home made ornaments and glimmering balls. It wasn't much, but it was beautiful. 


This morning my mom and I went for a walk in the snow filled winter wonderland. I was very quiet and peaceful. And dark. I loved how the snow crunched beneath my boots.

Soon we will start heating up the Sauna,
for our Christmas Sauna which we do around 1 pm. Clean and warm from the Sauna we eat our Christmas dinner. Just mom, dad, our dog and me.


We will have ham.
That is what we always have. That is what everybody has in Finland. We have some potatoes, different casserole dishes and diced up vegetable dish that I don't like.


After we finish eating it is time to wait for Santa to come. You see, Santa comes to everybody's house on Christmas Eve. He doesn't come through the chimney, he walks through the door.

SantaPeople who don't live in Finland think Santa lives in the North Pole. But we know different. Santa lives right here, in Finland, at the Arctic Circle. Everybody here has seen him, and he even has his own mountain near here. All his reindeer, and many more live here too.

My dad helps Santa and he will be visiting many families and homes this evening. This is what he does every Christmas. He is awesome!

Santa will come carrying a bag filled with presents.
He will hand out presents to each of us. I have to sit on Santa's lap and talk to him - I am no a fan, I guess I am scared.  Sometimes when Santa is really busy he may drop the bag of presents right at the front door.

Then of course it is time to open presents. Our dog sniffs at each present and barks when there is chocolate inside! She is really smart.


After presents are opened, we will enjoy lots of chocolate, family time, playing with presents and just relaxing.

Tomorrow, everybody stays at home, eating left overs, watching tv (all of our 2 channels), playing together...
We will also stop by to visit family and friends or they come to our house.

That's about it, our Finnish Christmas Tradition.

Hyvaa Joulua!

 Riitta

I can't find any photos in this short of a notice of my Finnish Christmas. When I do I will post them.


Copyright 2008.© Kenna and Co. Rita Burke. Denver Luxury Homes and Real Estate.  All Rights Reserved. Dec 24th 2008. "So it is Christmas - Finnish Christmas Tradition"

Comments (10)

TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Brian & Rita, Cool post! I like learning about other holiday traditions...

Wishing You and Yours a very

Merry Christmas

Dec 23, 2008 06:05 PM
Shawn Davis
Home Crossings, P.C. - Davison, MI
Homes For Sale, Genesee County, Michigan

Merry Christmas....but I'm sure Santa Lives in the North Pole...lol....I was thinking Alaska......however, your story makes more sense to me now...as I have always wondered how Santa gets down all of those chimney's.

Hugs...Shawn

Dec 23, 2008 08:53 PM
TheMillsTeam YourSebringRealtors
Advantage Realty #1 - Sebring, FL
863-212-5441

Rita, I was born and raised in Germany. I'm the only one in my family that made it to the other side of the big pond as well.

Our Christmas in Germany isn't much different from yours in Finland. All presents are opened on Dec 24! Santa always smelled like my Grandma and for some weird reason she was never there when Santa showed up! Santa would have a huge book in which he read about all the naughty things me and my cousin did throughout the year. It looked just like one of the books Grandma kept in her bookcase during the year.

Thank you, Oma, for those memories!

Dec 23, 2008 08:54 PM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Rita (Brian...we know you're along for the ride on this one),

I was so hoping your wonderful story would have been written in the original Finnish :) Looking at Santa through the eyes of a seven year old is wonderful. Thanks for sharing the memory.

Rich

Dec 23, 2008 09:38 PM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Rita...

Thanks for sharing your Finnish Christmas experiences ... I really enjoyed every word. I have always wondered what Christmas was like so far North thanks for sharing!

Dec 23, 2008 10:44 PM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

 

 

Featured in the Group "Whacked!!!"

Dec 24, 2008 01:05 PM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

Merry Christmas to you and yours! Best wishes for health, happiness, peace, and prosperity in 2009!

Santa update: Local radar at the top of my chimney indicates that Santa has just passed by, once again failing to stop at my place. I don't know if Rudolph is scared of the radar thingy at the top of my chimney, or if my chimney is too skinny for Santa.

Dec 24, 2008 08:28 PM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

I loved your christmas memories and story - oh it must be so nostalgic for you!  How long have you been gone - and have you ever been back?........How did you come to live in Denver? :-)

Dec 27, 2008 01:54 PM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Rita,

The wife of a close friend of mine is from Finland. They visit there every year and he loves it.

Dec 28, 2008 08:38 AM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

That was enjoyable reading, and this probably is my shortest post in your blog this morning -- LOL.

Jan 07, 2009 09:02 PM