For my family, we start to decorate a bit from the first Advent. Christmas tree comes near Christmas Eve. This year, I decided to get one, and I got a few days prior.
As for other decorations, I didn't do much, I put candelabrum on the windowsil (
I would have put my second one too, to another window, but it won't light up anymore) and threw some stars to my walls.
Warm white lightstrings outside. A storm lantern to the road side on Christmas Eve onward to give the light to the dark night.
I really would like one lightstring to line my roof all the way.. but for that, I would need someone to do it, as I will not get that "high" up there to do it myself...
We celebrate on the 24th as a main day, 25th and 26th being religious holidays too, so three days off from work.
In Finland, it is also very traditional to go to a sauna on the Eve, but it has never been a thing in my family.
Just before the noon on Christmas Eve, there is
the declaration of the Christmas Peace on the TV. 400 year old tradition, and I am happy that they still say it is the Birthday of Our Saviour, in it! Lots of people gather there to listen to it, others, like us, we watch it from TV or listen to it from the radio.
As for foods, we have ham (best when s
till warm from being in the woodburning oven for hours), karelian stew, potatoes, cabbage salads, beetroot salad, (
hopefully no Italian here.. I take my chances...) italian salad, carrot- and swedecassaroles....
There usually is a christmas concert from the TV (or radio) playing in the background.
This year, as it is only my mom and I, we didn't make all the salads, etc. My brother comes to visit on the 25th or on the 26th. So I was at my mom's house from before the noon and ate there. Then she came to my house for afternoon coffee.
Were we only had
joulutorttu, christmas tarts (
puffpastries with plumjam) with coffee. Normally, we would also have date cake,
pulla (
sweetbread flavoured with cardamom), and gingerebread cookies, but as it was only the two of us...
After coffee, we read the Bible from Luke.
Then we visited my dad, who is currently at the hospital after having a hip surgery.
Later in the evening, we are going to eat rice porridge with raisin kissel or with cinnamon sugar and butter. Maybe later enjoy a mug of
glögi (
blackcurrantjuice heated up and spiced with cinnamon, clove, ginger, orange peel, and cardamom).
On the 25th it is leftovers day, as there usually is still lot to eat.
We haven't gone to morning mass, or to the later one either for few years, when my dad was still in good health we went there. We listen to the mass from the radio or watch it from the TV.
In Finland, there used to be a tradition that on the 25th one should not visit others on that day, it should be for family and to celebrate the birth of Christ. The 26th would be the day to visit people. But as traditions have faded, it is no longer a thing in many homes.
On the 26th, it usually is fish to eat. Maybe salmon this year.. And Christmas time continues till the Epipany for us, people visit and we still have Christmas treats etc..
...I have already eaten most of the chocolate I have🫣😩 at least the best ones are gone..
View attachment 271520
This, I feel, is the traditional looking candelabrum, I have always wanted one, but always I have gotten the straight versions of it.. 😔
Btw,
@Magenta, is it only a movie thing we're people go sing around the neighbourhood?
Also, I am a complete opposite of you, I only sing when there is no one, hopefully, in miles reach, so there would not be a single chance that they could hear me
I, too, enjoy the old traditional and classic versions of Christmas carols!
Here are a few of my favourite finnish Christmas songs:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMTiMKWxE415dB3VD1j-jB28Ysh3x2-Up&si=dFRri_z_hvR2FNso
People usually listen to upbeat and happy sounding Christmas songs.. then there are these finnish ones, maybe, those songs could be called devout. In Finland those are called '
the most beautiful Christmas songs' and are dear to many finns.
They also have made "heavy" versions of them, but I love the traditional ones.
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