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Christmas in Finland
This article by Darrell Sequeira first appeared in the Goan Overseas Digest in October 2002. Darrel spent
his early years in
Land of
Nokia & Santa Claus The Finns are so upfront with the Xmas traditions that they insist that Christmas Father lives in Finnish Lapland from where he plans his global operations. That may explain why they excel at connecting with people through their Nokia mobile phone. On the other hand, the Swedes also lay claim to Christmas Father as their own but this the Finns dismiss as a business ploy. No wonder that Eriksson has not done as well in communicating with people.
Christmas
traditions The first reminders that
Christmas is near appears in the replication of snow bound Christmas scenes in
shop window displays by mid-November and the invitation to buy Xmas presents as
Christmas is good for business and capitalism. The business community makes damn
certain of that. It is traditional for parents to take their young children to
view certain well known window sites in town and go on window shopping sprees to
gauge what will be appreciated as presents. Imported tangerines are in season at
this time of the year.
On the social side, there are the
'Pikku Joulus' ('Little Christmases'), an opportunity to mitigate the
drag of waiting and toss up an obligatory Glögi - a drink of cinnamon,
cloves, spiced red or white wine or current berry juice, including grated
almonds and raisons, sometimes laced with Finnish Vodka. A few alcoholic pegs
with snacks may follow in anticipation of the great day. Not only do friends
plan and meet at pikku joulus but offices and business companies also
hold such events to honour their staff.
At home during December, rice porridge is often prepared. This is boiled
rice in warm milk, dusted with cinnamon. Hidden somewhere in the pot is a single
whole almond and the one who finds it is assured of good luck in the coming
year.
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