How is New Year celebrated in Finland?

Despite the seemingly comprehensive globalization, expressed national traditions are preserved very persistently in many places of the world. Local customs must be known to tourists, and especially to those who are going to move to permanent residence abroad. It is also useful to find out how the New Year is celebrated in Finland.

The story about how the New Year is celebrated in Finland is worth starting with when it is celebrated. There is nothing unique here. TOIn other European countries, the most favorite holiday comes at midnight from December 31 to January 1. A typical Finnish approach, however, manifests itself in large families and in the practice of the older generation. Traditionally, New Year holidays are celebrated in their homes, organizing a feast.

But, like among our compatriots, Finns of a younger age try to gather in clubs and restaurants. The approach of celebrations is already felt 30 days before the treasured date. Streets and squares are decorated with fir trees. The main center of the festivities is predictably Helsinki. Since daylight hours at the end of December are relatively short, the role of illumination is very large. A more important feature of how the New Year is celebrated in Finland is that it ... is in second place.

And in the first place is traditionally Christmas. It is on December 24-26 that the peak of festivities falls. Just on these dates they are trying to get together. And yet, the familiar New Year period is also waiting impatiently. It runs approximately the same as in our country:

• fireworks;
• open champagne;
• congratulate everyone you can.

A notable feature of the New Year in Finland is the tendency of many people to gather in saunas. The main part of the celebrations falls on daylight hours. Only a few Scandinavians try to celebrate the holiday well after midnight, especially in restaurants. To overcome this mood, cafes and restaurants prepare bright, lush performances. Important: when they celebrate the New Year in the usual sense, the festive table is poorer than at Christmas.

The only moment when you can legally launch a firework falls at 6 pm on December 31 - 2 am on January 1. In the capital, it is customary to gather in the main square and participate in mass celebrations. Happy New Year before midnight, the mayor of Helsinki wishes. But the speech of the president of the country takes place at noon on January 1. Christmas holidays in Finland last longer than in other countries. They begin 4 weeks before the date (in contrast, for example, from the Swedes, who begin to celebrate on December 13, when St. Lucia's day comes).

The period of the Christmas holidays is called "Advent." Already then the parties begin, which last until midnight. Such events take place both at workplaces and in educational institutions.

As already mentioned, on December 31, the Finns prepare a very modest treat. Usually put on the table:

• homemade sausages;
• rosolli (vinaigrette analog);
• potato salad with onion, oil and vinegar.

In families where traditions are honored, they also eat:

• pork ham;
• carrot and potato casseroles;
• salted fish;
• rice porridge with almonds;
• kaaliveli (cabbage porridge);
• cloudberry jam;
• shangs;
• cinnamon cookies.

But the description of the festive table would be clearly incomplete without mentioning the drinks that put on it. As for the New Year and Christmas, the Finns love to cook glog (the national version of mulled wine). The drink is prepared on the basis of red wine, and cinnamon cookies are a typical accompaniment for it. There is a cranberry smoothie (based on juice). This option is suitable for children, as well as people who, according to beliefs or for health reasons, can not drink alcohol.

You can also meet:

• sahti (beer from dissimilar cereals);
• Viana (which is often confused with vodka);
• minttu (also confused with vodka).

Concluding the theme of the Finnish New Year's table, we must also mention:

• stuffed turkey;
• combined (from fish and meat) dishes;
• beetroot salad with vinegar and cream;
• gingerbread cookies.

Of course, national traditions also apply to gifts. Among the Finns, it is not customary to give expensive things for the New Year, as well as for any other holidays and special occasions. Those who do so put others in an uncomfortable position. This makes the gifted to guess about the motives of such an act, as well as about how to "gift". It is not customary to wrap gifts in wrapping paper. This is due to the fact that gifts are often redistributed without seeing anything shameful in such an act. Usually postcards are left to themselves. For the new year, you can give flowers that will not last long. However, it will not be a mistake to give any other bouquet, if only it were done with soul and taste.

Some people give cookies for the holiday. But - only to those who are well known, that the surprise came to taste and did not harm health. It is not customary to give alcohol: cheap varieties offend, and expensive, as already mentioned, emotionally annoying. Hand-made items, even artistic creation, are presented only with confidence that the recipients will be happy. If there is no such confidence, the Finns are not advised to tempt.

Money is not accepted at all. If there are absolutely no original thoughts at all, buy souvenirs and symbols of the New Year, Christmas. Students are usually given:

• educational games;
• suitable age literature;
• accessories for sports and outdoor activities.

Among adults, it is more common to give each other:

• garlands and Christmas decorations;
• accessories for the sauna (only not too intimate, of course);
• cigars;
• personally made pastries (especially cakes);
• jewels;
• antiques;
• elite perfumery;
• the dishes.

Of course, the celebration of festive days in winter with the Finns is not limited to festivities, presents and feasts.

• On Christmas Eve (the day before Christmas), it is customary to visit cemeteries. It is not limited to lighting candles - they try to maintain fire even at night.
• As a decoration, a fresh turnip is put on the New Year's table. They do not eat it in principle, but do something similar to a flashlight for Halloween.
• A small amount of straw is placed on the chairs (chairs) and under the tablecloth. It is generally believed that this helps to protect against failures.
• On the 24th and 25th, they go to perform winter songs of traditional content.
• Finns, of course, are sure to decorate the house. In addition to the Christmas tree, an “straw chandelier” is an integral element of celebrations. She is hung right above the tables.

See how the Finns celebrate Christmas and New Year in the next video.