Holiday Traditions of Finland

"Merry Christmas"

Holiday Traditions in Finland

In Finland, the Christmas season begins with the First Advent, celebrated on the first Sunday in December. Advent calendars are a popular way to count down the days to Christmas Eve, marking the start of this festive season.

St. Lucia Day

On December 13th, Finns celebrate St. Lucia Day, honoring the 3rd-century martyr who brought food to Christians in hiding. St. Lucia is said to have worn a candle-lit wreath to light her way, leaving her hands free to carry food. The oldest girl in the family often portrays St. Lucia, wearing a white robe and a crown of candles, and serves her parents buns, cookies, coffee, or wine. Around this time, Finns also begin shopping for Christmas trees and exchanging Christmas cards.

Santa Claus and the Christmas Goat

Santa Claus, or Father Christmas, is said to live in the northern part of Finland in Korvatunturi, Lapland, north of the Arctic Circle. Every year, people from all over the world send letters to Santa in Finland. There's even a theme park called Christmas Land near Santa's home, where visitors can experience the magic of the season.

Santa Claus is also known as Joulupukki, meaning "Christmas Goat." In ancient Finnish tradition, a Yule Goat would ask for presents instead of giving them. Over time, the goat became a gift-giver, and Santa Claus eventually took on this role, though the name "Christmas Goat" remains. Santa rides in a reindeer-drawn sleigh, delivering presents to good children and leaving coal for the naughty ones.

St. Thomas’ Day and Preparing for Christmas

St. Thomas' Day, celebrated on December 21st, is a time when everyone tries to be home for Christmas. Fishermen return their boats to harbor, and farmers hang sheaves of wheat, along with nuts and suet, on tree branches for birds to feast on. As the Christmas holiday approaches, the days grow shorter and darker, with sunset occurring as early as 3 PM in many parts of Finland.

Cemetery Visits and Christmas Eve Traditions

One unique Finnish tradition is visiting cemeteries on Christmas Eve to honor deceased family members. The graves are lit with glowing lanterns, creating a beautiful and serene atmosphere. In large cemeteries, police may be on duty to manage the crowds, and visitors often walk the last few yards to the grave. For some, a Christmas Eve sauna is also a beloved tradition, offering a moment of relaxation before the festivities begin.

Traditional Finnish Christmas Meal

The main Christmas meal is eaten in the early evening. A traditional first course is lutefisk (salt fish), followed by the main course of leg of pork served with mashed potatoes. The potatoes are baked slowly in birch-bark boxes, alongside mashed swede. Other popular dishes include vegetable casseroles made with rutabaga, carrot, and potato, as well as cured salmon, turkey, and beetroot salad.

Dessert and the Lucky Almond

Dessert typically consists of rice pudding or porridge, served with spiced plum jam. One almond is hidden in the pudding, and whoever finds it is said to have good luck in the coming year. After dinner, Santa arrives to deliver presents, and the family gathers to watch as gifts are opened.

Christmas Day and Epiphany

Christmas Day in Finland is a quieter occasion, usually spent with close family members. The Christmas season doesn't officially end until January 6th, which is the celebration of Epiphany. Until then, the holiday spirit lingers, with traditions and gatherings continuing to bring joy and warmth to Finnish households.

Holiday Traditions in Finland

Video by Cat Peterson

Traditional Finnish Holiday Recipes

During the Christmas season in Finland, families enjoy a variety of traditional dishes that have been passed down through generations. These hearty and flavorful recipes are essential to the holiday celebration, reflecting the rich culinary heritage of Finland. Here are a few authentic Finnish holiday recipes:

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1. Joulukinkku (Finnish Christmas Ham)

Joulukinkku, or Christmas ham, is the centerpiece of the Finnish Christmas meal. It’s slow-roasted and served with mustard and sides like potato and rutabaga casseroles.

Ingredients:

• 1 bone-in ham (about 8-10 lbs)
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon breadcrumbs
• Whole cloves (for decoration)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Place the ham, fat side up, on a roasting rack inside a roasting pan. Cover with foil and roast for 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C).
3. Once cooked, remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes.
4. Mix the mustard and honey together in a small bowl. Spread the mixture evenly over the top of the ham.
5. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top of the mustard glaze and decorate with whole cloves.
6. Increase the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and return the ham to the oven. Roast for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the topping is golden and crispy.
7. Let the ham rest for 10 minutes before carving. Serve with mustard and your favorite Christmas sides.

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2. Lanttulaatikko (Finnish Rutabaga Casserole)

Lanttulaatikko is a classic Finnish casserole made from mashed rutabaga, often served as a side dish with the Christmas ham. Its sweet and savory flavor makes it a comforting holiday favorite.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs rutabaga, peeled and chopped
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons dark syrup or molasses
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Boil the chopped rutabaga in salted water until tender, about 20-25 minutes. Drain and mash until smooth.
3. Mix the mashed rutabaga with cream, dark syrup, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
4. Grease a baking dish with butter and pour the rutabaga mixture into the dish, smoothing the top.
5. In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with melted butter, then sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
6. Bake for 1 hour, or until the top is golden and slightly crispy.
7. Serve hot as a side dish with ham or other Christmas mains.

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3. Rosolli (Finnish Beetroot Salad)

Rosolli is a colorful Finnish salad made from beets, carrots, and potatoes, often served as part of the Christmas meal. It is typically accompanied by a tangy cream-based dressing.

Ingredients:

• 3 medium beets, boiled and diced
• 3 medium potatoes, boiled and diced
• 2 medium carrots, boiled and diced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 apple, peeled and diced
• 1/4 cup pickled cucumber, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the dressing:

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the diced beets, potatoes, carrots, onion, apple, and pickled cucumber. Toss gently to mix.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, vinegar, sugar, dill, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix until all the ingredients are well coated.
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
5. Serve cold as part of your Christmas meal.

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4. Riisipuuro (Finnish Rice Porridge)

Riisipuuro is a traditional Finnish rice pudding, often served as a Christmas dessert or breakfast. A single almond is hidden in the pudding, and the person who finds it is said to have good luck in the coming year.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup short-grain rice
• 4 cups whole milk
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
• 1 almond (for tradition)
• Ground cinnamon and sugar, for serving

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, bring the water and rice to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the water is absorbed.
2. Add the milk, cinnamon stick, and salt to the pot, and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently.
3. Reduce the heat to low and cook the rice, stirring occasionally, for about 30-40 minutes, until the rice is tender and the mixture is creamy.
4. Stir in the sugar, if using, and remove the cinnamon stick.
5. For tradition, hide the almond in the porridge before serving. The person who finds the almond will have good luck in the coming year.
6. Serve the rice porridge warm, with ground cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top.

These traditional Finnish recipes bring the flavors and warmth of the holiday season to your table. Enjoy preparing and sharing these dishes with your loved ones during the Christmas celebration!

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