- Preparation for the holiday
- Festive table
- Customs and signs for the New Year
- New Year gifts
- Popular resorts
Celebrating the New Year in Finland is a great opportunity to get to know the traditions and way of life of this amazing country. Celebrating the coming year is inextricably linked in the minds of the Finns with the snowy expanses of Lapland, the fragrant aroma of spruce and the family atmosphere.
Preparation for the holiday
A few weeks before the New Year, the people of Finland are trying to transform their home as much as possible. For this, wreaths with various decorations are woven from spruce branches, Christmas decorations and garlands are purchased, and the apartment is thoroughly cleaned.
All houses are flashing with a multitude of multi-colored bulbs. Each owner puts a New Year's beauty either in the yard or in the living room. Illuminated snow and ice sculptures are being erected near the entrance to the dwelling.
As for the central streets of the city, here you can see stunning illumination from thousands of lanterns hung wherever possible. Shop windows are filled with Christmas and New Year compositions that tell of the imminent arrival of the holiday.
The country's largest spruce is planted on the main square of Helsinki, called the Senate Square. On New Year's Eve, a large-scale Lux Helsinki light show is held, striking the imagination with its splendor.
Festive table
On New Year's Eve, Finns buy a lot of food, as the festive menu plays an important role in the preparation for the celebration. On the tables must be present: pork ham baked with vegetables; Graavilohi (salmon in its own juice with spices); Rosolli (traditional herring salad); casseroles made from liver, pasta and potatoes; Mati (caviar appetizer with sour cream and onions); Kalakeitto (soup based on salmon, cream and potatoes); Poronkaristys (dried venison); kalakukko (fish pie); ginger cookie.
From alcoholic drinks, the Finns prefer dark beer, champagne and glögg, which is made from dry red wine and spices combined with dried fruits.
Separately, it should be noted that the process of making gingerbread cookies is a kind of ritual. Each cookie has a symbolic meaning and is baked in the shape of houses, hearts, stars and other shapes. After baking, the cookies are decorated with sugar glaze.
Customs and signs for the New Year
Since the New Year has become an integral part of Finnish culture, many residents of the country respect the rituals associated with the holiday. Here are just a few of them that are observed every year:
- Before the celebration, it is customary to forget everything bad, to forgive offenders and ill-wishers;
- Christmas decorations should be made with your own hands, putting their own special meaning into each of them. For example, the elements of the picture with red color are a sign of well-being next year, blue - spiritual harmony, gold - wealth.
- In the last week of December, the Finns go to the cemetery, where they visit the graves of relatives and light candles.
- Planning for the next year is considered a key custom in Finland. Residents of the country are sure that the list will be implemented only if the desired is recorded on paper.
- In no case should you borrow money on the eve of the holiday, and debts must be repaid before January 1.
- In order to get rid of the troubles that happened last year, the Finns set fire to barrels of tar in their backyards. According to an ancient legend, such a ritual will allow you to let go of the past and start the year from scratch.
On New Year's Eve, people in Finland often use tin to read fortunes. This tradition took root in Finnish culture 200 years ago. The essence of fortune telling is to pour molten tin into cold water. At the same time, from the images obtained, you can find out your future.
New Year gifts
The purchase of gifts begins during the period of the Christmas markets, which are organized everywhere. In most cases, Finns do not give each other expensive gifts for the New Year. Mostly candles, original souvenirs, figurines, stationery, postcards, gift sets, etc. are bought.
Children in Finland write a letter to Santa Claus long before the holiday and send it to snowy Lapland, where the residence of the New Year's wizard is located. On the night of December 31 to January 1, the desired gifts are already under the tree.
Popular resorts
On the eve of the holiday, travel to Finland becomes especially relevant, so it is better to take care of purchasing tickets in advance. Having met once the New Year in this country, you will come back here again and again.
The most popular resort is Lapland province (Rovaniemi city). The magical northern lights, picturesque winter landscapes, clean air, reindeer sledding, visits to the zoo and the village of Joulupukki - all this can be seen and tasted in Lapland. Such a trip is ideal for couples with children, as you can not only live in a spacious wooden cottage, but also experience the full range of New Year's entertainment.
If you prefer an active holiday, then it is better to opt for the Levi resort, which is famous for its ski slopes. In the immediate vicinity of the ski area there are cozy houses for tourists and grounds where festive parties are organized.
Going to the city of Kem, you will see a unique sight in the form of an ice castle. A team of professional craftsmen from all over the world works annually on the masterpiece. The design of the castle is constantly changing, and next to the building is a one-of-a-kind hotel (LumiLinn SnowCastle), made entirely of ice. All interior details and even dishes are made with filigree precision. You can spend from several hours to a day in an unusual hotel.
Helsinki is undoubtedly considered the center of New Year's mood in Finland. Fans of noisy fun, folk festivals and fireworks will appreciate the festive atmosphere of the city.
