Before heading off to Finland (or really any place out of the country) I always make a list of things to do, things to pack, and things in general to remember before departing for a long period of time from the U.S. The first time I went to Finland, my list was LONG and hand written and my things to pack was HUGE (as with many people, when heading to another country we often assume that the people, the culture and the stores are going to be drastically different and don’t sell things like lotion or face wash…boy is packing much easier now. 
Currently, my To Do List involves things like paying bills (when you’re out of the country for the 1st of the month, this is one thing I don’t plan on having to send from Finland…yep, have had this happen and had to mail a check from Finland! Other things include cleaning out the fridge, turning off all electronics in the house- you hear one or two horror stories about cables sparking and catching on fire and you don’t take chances. Back up computer hard drives, make sure a friend or two has a key to your apartment or house. In Minneapolis, a new item added to my list involves finding a place to park the car in case of snow shoveling. Currently, the best deal for paid parking is at Park ‘N Fly near the Minneapolis Airport- they have a coupon for $49 a week. If you have friends in the area, that’s ideally the best bet if they have garage or driveway spots.
Packing, that keeps getting easier and easier which is good due to new airline bag rules and weight regulations for checked baggage. For us this year it is tricky because bag limits from Helsinki to Rovaniemi have become one bag but Minneapolis to Helsinki allows two bags…and weight guidelines have decreased dramatically over the past 5 years. But, the good thing about Finland in winter, layers are good. A few pairs of pants, a few sweaters, one good fleece, a few long sleeve T-shirts and a good pair of shoes and you’re set. Oh, and of course a good coat *REMEMBER: If you take it there, you need to bring it back- in most cases, I’m lucky that when I run over in weight on things like books, I can leave them with friends/family and get them next time. This is important to note because to go to Finland means souvenirs when you come back- make sure you have room for the all important Finnish Candy!
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