New Year in Finland in English. How are Christmas and New Year celebrated in Finland? New Year's cultural program

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“Celebrating the New Year” - New Year's quiz. The image of the Snow Maiden is unique to Russian culture. New Year's fun. Initially New Year in Rus' it was celebrated in the month of March. Happy New Year!!! Competition "Snow Sniper". Competition for the best Snow Maiden. And then count everything! Snegurochka is a New Year's character of Russian legends, the granddaughter of Santa Claus.

"New Year's Traditions" - New Year's Traditions different countries. The material and presentation I have collected will allow for an interesting thematic Classroom hour in any grade (from 1st to 11th grade). New Year's traditions in Hungary. At the end of the game, you can reward the most active participants. New Year is the most mysterious holiday that opens the world to us good fairy tales and magic.

“New Year's Eve” - The Germans are famous for their love of New Year's lighting. Hindus have their own rules for giving gifts. Russia. We will talk about how the New Year is celebrated in the capitals of different countries. Most of the "star" chefs from all over the world undergo training in Belgium. So New Year's midnight is an exception in itself.

“Old New Year” - This is how two New Year celebrations were formed - in the new and old style. The story of the Old New Year. Vasiliev's day. Old New Year! At the end of the 15th century in Rus', the beginning of the New Year was officially determined - September 1. And there was also a peculiar ritual - cooking porridge. The finished porridge was taken out of the oven and examined carefully.

“New Year Program” - Proposals for celebrating the New Year. New Year's laughter therapy. In an attempt to prove their sports skills, a team of athletes arrived here. Thank you for your attention! "New Year's Eve" The Colonel had the great honor of leading this holiday. Those who have distinguished themselves will be able to try the field kitchen menu.

“How to celebrate the New Year” - The custom of giving New Year's gifts came to us from Ancient Rome. Every family prepares a New Year's treat called mochi. We must start the New Year by freeing ourselves from everything old. New Year is the children's favorite holiday. China. France. In our country, New Year began to be celebrated on January 1 by decree of Peter I. Japan.

There are a total of 14 presentations in the topic

Finnish New Year and Christmas traditions.

In Finland, the first signs of the approaching Christmas and New Year holidays appear already at the end of October, when traditional Christmas gingerbread cookies - piparkakku - appear on sale in stores in huge quantities. Christmas is the main winter holiday, which is celebrated on the night of December 24-25. Christmas is preceded by four Advents - four Sunday days. On the first Advent, the official opening of the Christmas streets takes place; from this day on, Finland is immersed in a Christmas fairy tale: city streets, shop windows, squares and public gardens begin to sparkle and sparkle with festive illumination. Beauty! We all know that Finland is the birthplace and permanent residence of Santa Claus. In Lapland in northern Finland there is a village with the residence of Santa Claus, where he lives with his fairy-tale helpers and prepares gifts for children for Christmas and New Year throughout the year. In Finland, Santa Claus is called Joulupukki.

Christmas is traditional family celebration. Close relatives tend to gather together in the house of the oldest member of the family. Everyone prepares and sets the Christmas table together. By the way, among the Finns the main day is not December 25, but December 24 - Christmas Eve. In the ancient city of Turku, the former capital of Finland, on December 24 at exactly 12 o'clock the so-called Christmas world is officially and solemnly declared. The custom of declaring Christmas peace, when war and all work should cease, has its roots in ancient times, all the way back to the 13th century. Currently, the ceremony takes place in front of a huge crowd of spectators in the main square of Turku, and this ceremony is broadcast on television throughout Finland. Shops are also open only until 12 o'clock; you can have time to buy something else: gifts, food and drinks. With the announcement of the Christmas world, Finland begins to celebrate Christmas. It is on December 24 that everyone gives each other gifts and the main family feast is organized with traditional Christmas dishes and drinks: salmon and salted caviar of various fish, vinaigrette with herring, the main Christmas dish - baked ham, potato casserole, gingerbread and sweet buns, light beer and berry fruit drinks, etc. By 5 pm, Finns and their families go to the church at the cemetery, where they take part in a solemn service, and then go to the graves of their loved ones and place funeral candles there. This ritual is not sad and mournful in nature, because... everyone remembers the eternal life that Christmas represents. From the cemetery everyone returns home to a laid table and waits for Joulupukki to arrive with gifts. Bad sign to be alone on Christmas, so large family groups try to invite lonely acquaintances to their feasts. A very good custom.

The New Year's holiday in Finland is an extension of Christmas, young people usually celebrate this holiday in nightclubs, and older people at private house parties. Gifts are not given on this holiday, and the table is not set as generously as at Christmas. Sausages, potato salad, small sandwiches - canapés and, of course, champagne are served on the New Year's table. With the last twelfth stroke of the clock, everyone clinks glasses of champagne and shouts in unison: “Happy New Year!” Then everyone goes out into the street and sets off fireworks and salutes that are allowed that night until 02.00. The main fireworks display is held in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, on Senate Square, where thousands of people gather to celebrate the New Year. Happy New Year 2016 and Merry Christmas!

At exactly 12 noon on Christmas Eve (December 24), Christmas World is declared in Turku, the former capital of Finland. Finland is the northernmost country on our planet. Even Norway, traditionally considered the coldest, is actually a warmer country in climate, because it is influenced by the Gulf Stream. Perhaps this is why the main winter holidays - Christmas and New Year - are especially loved and celebrated in Finland on a grand scale.

Waiting for Christmas

As in many others European countries, Christmas in Finland is a more important holiday than New Year. Preparing for yourself big holiday in the year makes autumn not so dull at times and begins long before its onset.

Christmas is preceded by four Advents - the pre-Christmas weekend. During the first Advent, the opening ceremonies of the Christmas streets take place. The city becomes like a Christmas fairy tale: tall spruce trees on the streets, sparkling garlands and lanterns, luxurious decorations of store windows.

Christmas (Joulu in Finnish) is one of the most beloved Finnish holidays. In honor of him, the Finns named December joulukuu, i.e. month of Christmas. But until the 18th century, December was simply a winter month.

In Finland, the highlight of the year is Christmas Eve on December 24th, that is, the eve, not the day after, of Christmas. Families gather to celebrate this holiday; children who have grown up and moved away from their home try to come to their parents. Shops are open until noon, providing the last opportunity to buy gifts and treats.

Unlike many other countries, the most important Christmas holiday in Finland is Christmas Eve - December 24, Christmas Eve.

At twelve o'clock in the afternoon in Turku - the oldest city and former capital of Finland - Christmas peace is declared. Television broadcasts live the announcement of the Christmas world not only to Finland, but also to other countries. The announcement of Christmas peace dates back to the 13th century, when all work and trade had to cease after the announcement of Christmas peace. It should be noted that modern Finnish legislation establishes stricter liability for violators of the Christmas peace and quiet of the Finns.

The bells of the ancient Turku Cathedral, built 700 years ago, ring twelve times and are heard in most Finnish homes. It is from this moment that the celebration of Christmas begins for many.

Christmas is traditionally a family holiday. Families gather in full force. Children and grandchildren (usually living separately, often even in other cities) come to their parents. On Christmas Eve, traditional Christmas dishes are prepared: salmon, caviar, vinaigrette with herring, casseroles of potatoes, carrots, rutabaga, liver, and also the main dish - Christmas ham. For dessert, served with whipped cream and plum jam. Christmas is also characterized by a variety of delicious baked goods.

In the evening, Finns' families go to the church cemetery, where services begin at 5 o'clock. They light candles on the graves of loved ones. The Finnish cemetery has an extraordinary view on Christmas Eve. Thousands of candles shining on the snow under a dark blue sky create an unforgettable experience.

Returning home, the whole family waits for Santa Claus to appear. As a rule, one of the family members or neighbors dresses up as Santa Claus. Santa Claus' outfit consists of red socks, a long red hat, and a gray and red suit.

The main streets of the cities of Finland turned into “Christmas streets”, and Santa Claus rode in a sleigh along each of them last Sunday.

The spirit of Christmas begins to hover here from mid-October. At this time, traditional gingerbread (piparkakku) appears in stores in huge quantities. Actually, Gingerbread Cookie can be purchased at any time of the year, but I believe, and not only that, that only tourists can buy this delicacy not for Christmas. A pack of such cookies costs an average of 2-3 euros.

Despite the differences in the celebrations themselves, traditionally family Finns celebrate both holidays at home. And it doesn’t matter what social strata they belong to. When you come to us, you will see empty streets. The city becomes deserted...cafes and shops are closed.

So: walking - in every sense of the word - single young people and tourists.

In the very recent past, only the Christmas tree was decorated, a Christmas wreath was hung on the door of the house, and more lanterns were placed in the garden than usual, sometimes inside a pyramid of snowballs.

So, CHRISTMAS (Joulu).

House cleaning before Christmas takes place on December 23rd. It is common knowledge that Finns traditionally do not have dirt in their houses. I will only add that before the holiday it is even cleaner than usual. This is such mysticism...

After cleaning, we go to the sauna, where we steam with birch brooms prepared in the summer for two or three hours. We run out into the snow, throw snowballs at each other, rub ourselves with snow and go back to the steam room. In the dressing room we drink juice from lingonberries and cranberries picked in September. Yes, in our winter everything is in the name of man, everything is for the good of man, and the name of this man is a simple Finn. For example, ski tracks are laid by tractor in all towns.

After the sauna - early dinner by candlelight, as it is already getting dark. Actually, it's traditional to put a red tablecloth on the table, but I...

I like the light one better.

Now on to the usual Christmas dinner...
First we have fish dishes. Red caviar, which a friend supplies me with every year, he salts it himself, yellow burbot caviar, which I make myself... Salted pike perch, cold and hot smoked; salmon, perch - similar.

For Christmas, special food is prepared, fish, Christmas baked goods - buns, cookies. Glog is a must, also known as glögi - a hot drink made from a mixture of juice, wine, almonds and raisins. I add vodka to it, I like it stronger, let’s be honest)

...Such a hearty Christmas dinner is of a ritual nature: it is believed that a good holiday snack ensures a well-fed life for the whole year. Ha, who would doubt it these days...

I usually serve a dessert of ice cream, coffee, fruit and cognac in the living room, where we simultaneously unpack the gifts stacked under the Christmas tree.

Finns used to give each other something they needed: warm socks, hats, mittens, which they usually knitted themselves. They bought (or made) sleds, skis, and skates for children. Children drew cards for their parents. They were sure to give candles: so that the house would be light and warm all year round.
Now it's different. But... these homemade gifts it is still considered more pleasant to receive. And hand-drawn and glued postcards from children too. They are even taught this in home economics classes at school.

In Finland, all shops and restaurants were traditionally closed on Christmas Day. And sales start after Christmas.

Now it's different - some restaurants are open. This innovation is connected not so much with tourists thirsty for entertainment (life is different in tourist centers), but with the fact that recently there are more and more lonely people who have nowhere to go.

Therefore, many families invite their non-family friends to celebrate Christmas with their families. Someone always joins us, especially in the evening, for the second course and before dessert: it is not considered decent either to stay too long at a party or to hold back a guest who is going home.

In general, Christmas and New Year's time is a time of visits, when people dress up nicely, buy red Christmas flowers, candies or special baskets with gifts (sometimes they make them themselves in the old fashioned way), and then receive guests or visit friends and relatives. Not on Christmas itself, which, I emphasize once again, is celebrated at home, but before or after it.
These visits do not burden guests or hosts, since they are short in time and take a total of a maximum of half an hour, during which they drink coffee and eat sweets.

What do people talk about during Christmas time? About the dear past, weather and food. After a civil fratricidal war, it is generally not customary for society to talk about anything political or religious that could cause tension in relations. And on Christmas they try to avoid this doubly: they talk only about pleasant or neutral topics.
In Finland, by starting conversations about politics and religion, only crazy people and foreigners so stupidly aggravate relations: it is not accepted. They talk about politics and religion, but only with like-minded people. And how this spiritual closeness is revealed is a Finnish military secret.

Well... about religion. In the early morning of December 25, religious people go to church (kirkko), and the day before they visit the graves of loved ones, remove snow from them and light candles in lanterns. I wrote about this above.

12. NEW YEAR

The zealots of antiquity grumble that the Finns do not know such a holiday. This is not entirely true: it has long become a habit on this day in the evening to eat sausages with a salad of pickles and potatoes with sour cream or mayonnaise, and drink champagne at midnight.
Recently it has become fashionable to arrange fireworks for the New Year.

And from 18:00 on December 31 to 02:00 on January 1, the whole of Finland literally explodes: gunfire can be heard everywhere, and over every settlement there is a kind of multi-colored glow.
The rest of the time it is prohibited to launch rockets, and for violating public order there is a fine.

Hello Dedushka Moroz!

The real Finnish Santa Claus lives in the very north of Finland, near the Arctic Circle. His name is Joulupukki. "Joulu" means Christmas in Finnish, and "pukki" means goat. According to legend, many years ago, Santa Claus dressed in goat skin for the holiday, and then delivered gifts on the goat. Since then, Santa Claus began to bear the “goat” name. True, now it is perceived as “Grandfather Christmas”.

Santa Claus is the main character of the Christmas holiday in Finland. From the capital of Finland to Korvatunturi (translated as Mountain Ear), where Father Frost lives, is almost a thousand kilometers. First you need to get to the city of Kaijani in northeastern Finland, and from there you can only go by sled or snowmobile. On the way there is a stop at a hospitable tent, where all tourists are fed lunch.

You need to knock on the huge gates of Grandfather’s house three times, and then they will open (this is the tradition). Outside the gates, tourists are greeted by a gnome doorman and a house guide. He takes guests through the entire Christmas village straight to Santa Claus. The mistress of the house, Snegurochka (for the Finns, she is not Grandfather’s daughter, but his young wife), gives gifts to the children. At this time, adults watch how the gnomes bake gingerbread and prepare gifts for Christmas. Father Frost's workshop is also located in Lapland, in the town of Napapiiri, near the city of Rovaniemi, right on the Arctic Circle.

Before going to Santa Claus, you should notify him about this by letter. The address is: 96930, Finland, Rovaniemi, Arctic Circle, Father Frost (or Santa Claus) workshop.

The village of Father Frost consists of three main institutions: the office of Father Frost, shopping arcades with souvenirs ("Village of Craftsmen") and the Central Post Office, where gnomes rustle, sorting bags of letters (absolutely real), and maintain strict computer records and control. From here you can send a postcard to your friends, having it endorsed with the personal seal of Grandfather Frost himself.

Finland, which is considered the birthplace of Santa Claus, is perhaps the most “New Year’s” country. It is often called the land of ice and snow. White flakes of snow, cozy evenings by the fireplace, winter fun on the streets, excursions to Santa Park, crossing the Arctic Circle, the Arctic Zoo, skiing on steep mountain slopes, reindeer and dog sledding, excursions to the Lainio Ice Palace, in which the walls , furniture and dishes are made of ice - this is the variety that awaits you for the New Year in Finland!

Main winter holiday In Finland, Christmas is celebrated on December 25th. On Christmas night, having overcome a long journey from Lapland, Father Frost - Santa Claus - comes to homes with a huge bag of gifts! Santa rules the New Year in Lapland, as well as around the World. He settled in a small village in the north of the country in Lapland. IN New Year's Eve From December 31st to January 1st, Santa has time to come to all the children of the world. Nobody knows exactly how this happens - this is the mystery of the New Year of Lapland. However, both children and adults know that New Year's dreams certainly come true.

Christmas in Finland is usually celebrated with family. The Finns call December “the month of Christmas”, which has its own special traditions: it is customary to organize parties with a musical program, during which women make Christmas decorations. On December 24, a mandatory “ritual” in Finland is a visit to the bathhouse.

Christmas in Finland is preceded by long, cheerful and hasty preparations. For the Lutheran Church, Christmas begins with the beginning of the Advent period, that is, on the Sunday approximately 4 weeks before Christmas. However, long before this, in October, an innumerable number of societies and associations begin to get into a festive mood.

Women's organizations are the first to get down to business, organizing Christmas markets. They are collected according to an old Finnish tradition, most often for making Christmas decorations. Such evening gatherings can also be considered the first Christmas holidays. They are called “pikkuyoulu”, small Christmas, since some kind of Christmas program, speeches, musical performances and food of the season are an integral part of them.

“Little Christmas” has been a tradition in Finland since the 1920s, and every employer, regardless of the size of the company, organizes such a holiday for its staff. All organizations organize their own party. Even city councils can put aside political differences and join forces for a fun evening. They can play winter's tale, play or sketch for the entertainment of staff.

The first of four pre-Christmas Sundays, or the first Advent (late November - early December) officially opens the Christmas season, with the melodies of Vogler's "Hosanna" sounding in Lutheran churches, attracting many listeners. In the evening, church concerts are held throughout the country. Around this time, Christmas lights are switched on in shops and offices. Urban centers have an abundance of light. The town of Pietarsaari, located on the west coast of Finland, has had a Christmas street (Sturgatan) since the 1840s.

Lucia's Day - On December 13th, Swedish-language schools and families in Finland celebrate Lucia Day. This tradition was adopted from Sweden in the early 1920s. Lucia Day used to be celebrated on the shortest day of the year, which is why Lucia, the Queen of Light, became so popular in the north.

The national Lucia of Finland is elected from among ten young girls by public vote. In connection with it, money is collected for charitable purposes. The collected money is received by the healthcare organization “Folkhelsan”, which acts as the initiator and organizer of numerous healthcare programs.

Christmas tree and bathhouse on Christmas Eve

Decorations associated with the pre-Christmas Advent period gradually appear. Children hang special calendars and families count the days until Christmas with candles. On the first Sunday of Advent, the first candle is lit, on the second - the first and second, and so on, until on the fourth Sunday the fourth candle is lit, creating a slanted row. This decoration originally came from Sweden and Germany and spread to Finland in the 1930s. People send Christmas cards, make or buy decorations, and bake holiday treats ahead of time.

The last Sunday before Christmas is the time to start looking for your Christmas tree. It is brought into the house on December 23rd, on the eve of Christmas Eve, installed so that the best branches are visible, and decorated. Finns love to hang flags of different countries on the Christmas tree, reminiscent of friendship between peoples. Himmels, hanging geometric straw decorations, and, of course, many other trinkets are also popular. Almost everyone puts one or two sheaves of oats outside for the birds. Candles on the Christmas tree are lit for the first time on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Eve, Finns always take a steam bath, and those traveling through the countryside on December 24th will notice a column of smoke rising from almost every sauna.

Christmas Eve

At exactly 12 noon, “Christmas calm” is declared in Turku, the former capital of Finland, with messages and greetings dating back to the Middle Ages. Most Finns listen to the radio or watch this ceremony on TV, which marks the beginning of the holiday. Nowadays, most families sit down to their first Christmas table at this time.

As the sun sets on Christmas Eve, people go to church, where a service is usually held at about 5 p.m. Candles are placed on the graves of loved ones, sometimes wreaths or fir branches. The Finnish cemetery on Christmas Eve is a breathtaking sight. Thousands of candles burning among the snow create an impression that remains in the memory of foreigners for a lifetime.

Finnish Santa Claus - "Joulupukki"

After returning home, the family awaits the arrival of Santa Claus with growing impatience and joy. Finnish Father Christmas is the more earthly equivalent of St. Nicholas. Unlike most countries, in Finland Father Christmas actually comes to families in person on Christmas Eve. Most often, his role is played by a dressed-up father, sometimes a neighbor or relative. Children dress up as Santa Claus' little helpers: in red tights, a long red hat, a gray cotton suit with red decorations. When he arrives, Santa Claus invariably asks the same question: “Are there any good children here?”, and the answer is always equally enthusiastic: “Yes!”

Usually Santa Claus brings in a large basket of gifts, and the children sing songs to him or even dance with him. Then Santa Claus tells them how far he has traveled, all the way from Lapland, which is a long, long road. He lives on Mount Korvatunturi, in eastern Lapland. (The Finnish Broadcasting Company installed him there in 1927, and his headquarters have been there ever since.) Santa Claus can't stay in one place for long. Children and adults see him off with the last song, he takes his stick and walks away in felt boots and a fur coat. His little helpers just have to hand out the gifts. The earliest reports of Christmas gift giving among Finnish families date back to the early years of the 19th century. Gifts were often made with my own hands: gave, for example, clothes or treats. In the first decades of the twentieth century, manufactured goods as gifts gradually spread throughout the country. Recently, “homemade” gifts have begun to be appreciated again.

Only after this most important event of the evening is the big Christmas dinner served. The table is bursting with dishes prepared with caring hands mother.

Christmas Day

December 25th, Christmas Day itself, which in many countries is the culmination of the festive period, passes quietly in Finland. Traditionally, this is a quiet day dedicated to religion, when the only activity is participation in church services. Even now the churches are full on Christmas morning, although the service begins at six o'clock in many places. Many people choose to follow the service on television at home, spending the first day of Christmas with family and relatives. December 26th, the second day of Christmastide, known among the Finns as “Tapaninpäivä” (Tapani’s Day, or St. Stepan’s Day), is also a day off, previously dedicated to sleigh rides. But now there are few horses left. Friends gather for merry feasts at someone’s home or go to “Stepanovsky” dances in restaurants.

New Year's Eve

New Year can be called a continuation, a repetition of Christmas. Usually the whole family gathers around a festive table, richly decorated and set with many delicious dishes.

On New Year's Eve, Finns try to find out their future and tell fortunes by melting wax and then pouring it into cold water. Melted wax, falling into cold water, takes on bizarre shapes. These are the ones that have to be solved in order to see what it will be like. next year.

They also tell fortunes by objects hidden under cups or by tin. It is melted over a fire and thrown into a bucket of cold water. The frozen figurine is brought to the illuminated wall and the future is predicted from the shadow. The last day of Christmastide, January 5, is the eve of Epiphany.

According to the ancient Finnish tradition, the New Year begins from December 31 to January 1. It seems that there is nothing surprising, everything is like everyone else. However, the Finns are closest to us, the Slavs, in the matter of celebration, since they begin to warm up long before the official date. The spirit of the New Year in Finland is always a miracle, a fairy tale and real magic. In addition, do not forget that Dreamland Suomi is the birthplace of Santa Claus. Moreover, not only Finnish children believe in its reality, but also many adults who, on January 1, tell fables about their meeting with the real Saint Nicholas.

New Year in Finland: traditions

The Finn planted a turnip, it grew very big, the Finn pulled the turnip out of the ground, brought it into the house and put it away until better times. According to tradition, he will have to store this same turnip throughout the year until it is time to harvest a new harvest. Behind New Year's table They will thoroughly clean it, wash it and put a small candle inside, and then give it to the children for fun.

How Finns celebrate New Year

On January 1, wild fun continues in all the houses of Finland, songs and loud children's laughter are heard, and festive processions and masquerades are held on the streets of crowds of people having fun. Tourists who visited Finland these days note that such a scale cannot be found in any other country in the world. One of New Year's traditions- this is setting fire to huge barrels of tar, thus the Finns show that the past year burns with the tar, and with it all the problems and failures, giving way to new beginnings. Another tradition that goes back far into antiquity is honoring deceased ancestors. A few days before the New Year, relatives come to cemeteries and light candles as a sign of respect for their loved ones. Bright lights during the holidays can be found throughout Finland; the residents of this country pay great attention to fireworks and festive illumination, which covers absolutely everything from the roofs and facades of houses to trees.

Finns are not original and more than anything else they respect family values, That's why main holiday every year they meet within the family. Unlike the older population of the country, young people prefer to hang out in various cafes or nightclubs. These days, the program in drinking establishments is designed in such a way that everyone can take part in the activities. These can be theatrical performances, performances by live musicians, and even all kinds of competitions, for which the winners receive considerable cash prizes or full payment for the bar. In short, Finns are charged with energy for the whole next year, and from the outside it may seem that for the rest of their lives. Why, our northern neighbors know how to go for walks, we have known this since Soviet times, and how they celebrate the New Year...

Santa Claus – Joulupukki

But the majority of local residents and numerous tourists are attracted not by the lights of drinking establishments, but by Lapland - the birthplace of Santa Claus, or as the Finns call him Joulupukki. Folk festivities in the homeland of Finnish Father Frost begin on December 30 and thousands of people come to Lapland in the hope of meeting a real, living Joulupukki, riding with him on a fabulous reindeer sleigh and, of course, receiving a memorable gift. Also, all lovers of the northern New Year will be able to ski, skate, snowboard and enjoy Finnish New Year treats.

New Year's Snow and Ice Festival

Another significant event in Finland is the New Year's Snow and Ice Festival, which is well known throughout the world and has been held regularly for many years. Ice sculpture masters sculpt such realistic figures that it’s hard to believe that it’s just ice. But the most exotic thing that attracts thousands of people every year is real ice apartments or an ice hotel. Even drinks and food in this ice hotel are served in special ice glasses and plates. Staying in such a hotel is not a cheap pleasure, but the impressions will last a lifetime.

New Year's gifts in Finland

Decent and thoughtful Finns carefully choose New Year's gifts, fortunately in Finland there are no problems with this, and the Christmas and New Year's markets offer a huge range of goods for every taste. And don't forget about giant discounts. The most meticulous shopaholics claim that at such Christmas sales they manage to find things with a 90% discount. Therefore, empty shelves in Finland are not a sign of shortages or economic decline, but a real indicator of unprecedented discounts and ridiculous prices. Tourists and locals sweep away everything literally overnight.

New Year's table

Let's move on to the most delicious - New Year's, festive table. Every self-respecting Finn is simply obliged to eat a potato casserole, a piece of salted salmon, some chicken legs, a gingerbread dessert and generally anything else that fits on New Year's Day. Contrary to the belief that Finns drink vodka from morning to evening, the traditional Suomi drink is light beer. By the way, drunk Finns on New Year’s Eve are rather an exception to the rule. They try to control their alcohol consumption. Firstly, they think about their health, secondly, alcohol in Finland costs a lot of money, and thirdly, and most importantly, on January 2 you have to go to work, that’s how they celebrate the New Year in Finland. New Year in Suomi is undoubtedly a miracle, however, practical Finns, although they believe in miracles, prefer to reinforce their faith with hard work. Maybe that’s why they live so wonderfully and all their unrealistic dreams come true?