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I labeled this post as part 1 because it is currently 2:05pm in the afternoon (kello on viisi yli kaksi) and it is rather early to tell you what is going on for New Years Eve. Traditionally on my previous visits, New Years Eve has been pretty laid back, drinking cider all day and celebrating the changing of the New Year with fireworks. The first year we shot off rocket fireworks in Matti’s front yard and two years ago we went downtown with TONS of people and shot off fireworks in the biggest understated fire hazard manner in parking lots surrounded by cars, not the best idea but no harm done (that we know of).
In the United States, ever since I was a kid, New Years Day (or Eve, can’t remember when the meal typically is) is celebrated with a meal of green veggies, usually greens in my home (for money in the new year), black eyed peas (for luck) and something for health, really can’t remember that either. I have a funny feeling my mom might comment on this point and correct my errors 
In Finland there is no special meal or anything but rather just lots of drinking and fireworks. In the U.S. fireworks are the symbol of 4th of July but starting about a week ago, grocery stores set out their fireworks display (mostly rockets and things that exploded in the air) and a few days ago we started hearing the noises of kids in the neighborhood getting some early practice…
We’re spending part of New Year’s Eve at home and the other with a couple groups of friends just a few blocks outside of downtown. Nothing wild planned (never been the type) but I’ll have my camera with me for any events that might take place or if we should venture downtown to capture the awe and stupidity of New Years festivities. At the very least I’ll take a photo or two. Rovaniemi was showered with some snow yesterday (FINALLY!) so things are looking rather pretty and white. And today we saw the sun (well, the horizon of the sun) for the first time in like 4 days (I’m on the arctic circle so it is expected- though you never really get used to it)!! The temperature is finally starting to fall here from the unusually warm temperatures of the past few weeks- it’s around 23F degrees right now and slowly falling into the teens. It’s NOTHING like my first new years in Rovaniemi when I felt every muscle and bone in my body freezing from -20F weather. I think, without realizing it at the time, my body was preparing for the future years I would spend in Minneapolis which is currently getting a big taste of snow and semi cold weather.
Stay tuned for more later in the day!
-Angela
photo #2, candles in ice, Rovaniemi Finland Christmas
Originally uploaded by frozenreindeer
Traditional House Candles in Ice, Finland Christmas
Originally uploaded by frozenreindeer
During Christmas time in Finland, it is common for most homes to have
candles like these displayed outside their homes seated inside ice
candle holders. I watched Matti’s dad make these this year (now
kicking myself for not taking a picture of them in their buckets) but
these candle holders are constructed out of ice inside buckets you
would use for making water to clean floors. They are filled with
water and left to freeze. Then the ice comes out with the help of a
hammer in this perfect glass like shape and set out in front of homes
filled with candles. This year, however, they have not managed to
stay up for too long. The weather in Rovaniemi has been rather tame
so the first batch (made before we arrived a week ago) melted before
we got here and this second batch melted in two days. Glad I got a
photo when I did. Enjoy, there is another one coming looking
straight at the house.
Finnish Candy During Christmas
Originally uploaded by frozenreindeer
Just like in the U.S. there are TONS of Finnish sweets available in
any home from cookies to candies to baked breads. Here is what the
kitchen table looks like in my boyfriend’s families’ home during the
holidays (and until we eat them all)
Santa Visits the home on Christmas in Finland
Originally uploaded by frozenreindeer
And finally, what Christmas is complete without a visit from Santa
Claus. In the majority of families homes’ in Finland (please let me
know if you know of a Finnish family residing in Finland for which
this is not true) Christmas is celebrated on the 24th and presents
are opened on the evening of the 24th. I know this is a common
practice for some in the U.S. and other countries as well but in my
family, Christmas begins the morning of the 25th and then progresses
through the day with food, family, and lounging at home. Anyways, in
my boyfriend’s home in Finland, the night of the 24th, a couple hours
after the Christmas meal, Santa Claus makes an appearance to deliver
presents to the good boys and girls of the home before heading to the
other countries to make his delivers. My boyfriend has a five year
old nephew who was waiting all day for Santa to arrive and I must say
it was the icy on the cake after such a great day!
Finland Traditional Christmas Meal – Dessert
Originally uploaded by frozenreindeer
And finally, the Christmas “Eve” Dinner ends with a traditional berry
mouse served in glass pudding cups. It has the consistency of a mouse
with bits of berry inside. VERY good!
Finland Traditional Christmas photos Cont.
Originally uploaded by frozenreindeer
Before Dinner (or near the beginning of the meal if there is a large
crowd of people getting food) A quick toast to the Christmas holiday
is given preceding a Schnapps shot. This year the shot was from the
Lakka Cloudberry and was quite strong in my opinion. Above is a
picture of the bottle.
Traditional Dinner on Christmas- Rovaniemi, Finland
Originally uploaded by frozenreindeer
After breakfast in the late hours of the morning, we hang around at home and have a Christmas sauna around 2pm (usually have sauna for a couple of hours so everyone can go). Following the sauna we have dinner. Traditional dinner in most Finnish homes is a roasted pig. It is prepared the day before and cooks overnight in the oven. Then, cooked and seasoned throughout the day of their “Christmas” on the 24th (I use the quotation marks because for me, Christmas is celebrated on the actual Christmas day of Dec. 25th). The pig is served with mashed potatoes and a thin, clear gravy. Sides include a variety of mashed vegetables from carrots to squash and mixed potatoes and a traditional meal layout of breads and sauces. Above is a picture of our half eaten pig following the meal.
Traditional Breakfast on Christmas Day, Rovaniemi, Finland
Originally uploaded by frozenreindeer
This morning, December 24th in Rovaniemi, Finland, we began the
celebration of Christmas. In Finland they celebrate Christmas on the
24th beginning with a traditional breakfast of ricemeal (like oatmeal
but with rice). On top of it you can put sugar and cinnamon and some
people add milk to it. I find it rather bland without anything on top
of it but with a bit of sugar it is pretty good!
