Horny Claus

Christmas time!
You can either read or not, but I'm gonna write about it anyway. I've always been a hardcore fan of christmas and as an adult, I still think this is just the best time ever. People criticize christmas for being overly commercial and everything,  but just as with valentine's day, I think it's really good that there are a few days a year when you take the time out to do something nice for you near and dear ones. Lord knows they deserve it.

As you probably know, most Santa-characters are a lot older than the Coca-Cola one by Haddon Sundblom. Athough, because Haddon Sundblom's parents were from Ahvenanmaa (one was swedish, but the other one: a finn.) I've taken it a s more proof that The Real Santa lives here on Korvatunturi in Finland. Most cultures have their own traditions as to where he originates from, but we know he's from around here. The finnish Santa was at first called Nuuttipukki. Nuuttipukki arrived around the day of Nuutti, after christmas, and was supposed to help take christmas away. The Nuuttipukki's performed for treats and helped people get rid of leftover christmas treats. From what history I know, I've gathered they were extremely helpful with the alcohol.

Plus, in later traditions Nuuttipukki awarded the good kids with treats and punished the bad ones. By whipping them. So with a little bad luck, you could get beaten up right around christmas by a hammered santa. Being originally a shamanistic figure, Nuuttipukki usually came dressed in a grey or black cape, and had some huge horns on his head. The word "pukki" means "goat", and wouldn't you know it's all about fertility.

With all this drunkness and fallic symbols around, you know the finns took on the Coke Santa gladly when he arrived.
We haven't lost all connection with tradition though, the modern Santa is called "Joulupukki". If translated as it is, that would make him "The Christmas Goat".

Around here all the action concentrates on Christmas Eve rather than the 25th. The stores are allowed to be open until 1 pm, which means I'll be working next monday too, but after that its off to celebrate. the 25th and 26th are nationa holidays, so everything is closed.

We have a big ol' feast in the evening, with lots of traditional goodies. It depends a little on where in the country you live, but usually there's a lot of fish-dishes, herring, potato- and carrot-casserole etc, but they're all second to the Real Food: The ham. A big, usually 5-12 kg lump of meat. Nowadays, the smoked turkey is growing in popularity, but the piggies still get it bad this time of year.

For kids, this is an unnerving time. They have to sit still and wait. Since most of Thousandlakez is woods, kids usually pass the time looking for Santa's little elves. They're not easy to spot, because they're a lot smaller than your average garden gnome

Garden Gnome

In the evening, Santa arrives. Oh yeah, we get to meet him personally. He hands out the presents personally, and I suppose all this happening on the 24th is partially so he'd have enough time to get to the US for the 25th. Busy man.

The international Declarations for peace on christmas is something a lot of people participate in. It's sent out at noon in my hometown of Turku, and is one of the most watched programmes on tv all year. It's never been any of my personal traditions, but my parents for instance usually watch it, either on the tube or then they walk to the actual place. Christmas church is usually also in the morning, except for the catholics who have a midnight mass.

In the evening it's also customary to go put candles on the graves of loved ones. You'd never believe a cemetery could be so beautiful, but it is. Thousands of graves and several candles on practically every one.

All in all it's about spending time with your family, and the following days, the 25th and 26th concentrate on being together and trying to melt down that ham.

Merry Christmas you guys.