Hello,
And happy New Year!
Yesterday was the Epiphany day, which ends the Christmas time (at least in Finland). This year I spent Christmas with Joonas and his family. As I tell you about my Christmas, I will introduce you some Finnish Christmas traditions.
In Finland we celebrate Christmas on the Christmas Eve. In the morning we eat rice pudding. There's an almond hidden in the pudding the myth goes that whoever finds the almond will be lucky next year. Unfortunately I didn't get the almond but so far this year has been quite nice, though.
Going to the sauna is one of my favorite Christmas traditions. This Christmas we went to the sauna twice; in the afternoon and in the evening. My boyfriend has a hot tub in which we bathed for a long time.
Another favorite Christmas tradition of mine is food, of course. Typical Christmas dinner includes ham, potatoes, different casseroles such as carrot, sweet potato, potato and liver, smoked salmon and herring. Salad is usually made of beetroot, carrot, potato and pickles.
Typical Christmas sweets are pastries filled with plum marmalade and gingerbread cookies which are usually eaten with a drink called glögi. Basically it's hot blackcurrant juice spiced with clove, cinnamon and ginger. I also made a raw chocolate cake that turned out to be delicious.
The highlight of the day is Santa's visit. In Finland he just casually knocks the door and walks in. Well, as most of the older kids and adults don't believe in Santa, he doesn't visit everyone. My boyfriend's cousin was afraid of Santa so we decided to call Santa and tell him not to visit us this year 😄
I got a gift card for a spa where Joonas and I spent two days after Christmas. I also got chocolate, a bracelet, warm and cozy socks, pictures of my goddaughter, a calendar and a board game.
 |
| Santa with his favorite elf :) |
Santa lives in Finland, on the Arctic Circle. There's a huge tourist attraction called Santa Claus village where you can meet Santa and his elves.
 |
| Joonas' two sisters and I got the same socks :D |
Unfortunately, the weather was rather miserable this Christmas. It was 40 and raining. Instead of being white, this Christmas was green and black. Well it started snowing after Christmas and now we have 3 inches of snow! ( And it's freezing cold...)
I hope y'all had a wonderful Christmas!
Love,
Anette
