Learning About Finland: The Winter Holiday Edition

Here is a list of almost everything I can think of that is related to winter and Finland.
Ready?

1. It can be really cold - especially in northern Finland!
1. It can be extra dark outside when there isn't any snow - be sure to take vitamin D!
2. Make sure you wear layers.
3. Make sure you moisturize - the dryness can really damage skin and cracked skin isn't pleasant for anyone.
4. Be sure to have a reflector on your coat or bag.  At least a couple...
5. Walking a dog or cat?  Same goes for them and yes, people walk cats in Finland.
6. If there's snow on the ground or by December 1st - it's mandatory to have winter/snow tires (depends on what term you want to use) if you have a car.
2. Shops are closed on:
1. 6th of December for Finnish Independence Day (some small shops like Sale or Siwa may be opened).
2. 24th of December - Christmas Eve - by 12pm.  Buses in JKL at least, are done driving at 1pm.
3. 25th of December - Christmas Day - all day.
4. 26th of December - Boxing Day to North Americans - all day. Some smaller shops may be opened.
5. 31st of December - New Year's Eve -Fireworks are allowed to be set off from 6pm-about 2am.
6.  1st of January - New Year's Day
7. 6th of January - Epiphany - also the day where everyone tosses away their Christmas tree.  So do be careful and look up - so one doesn't fall on you.  It's much easier to toss a tree over your balcony than drag it down the stairs.
3. Christmas
1.  If you're shipping packages - do so as early as possible because the line ups can be quite long and tedious.  Bring a book for while you're waiting.
2. You can hire a Santa to come deliver presents and sing songs with your children but it can be pricey!  You can even find advertisements for "sober Santas with own vehicle"....
1. With that said, yes - children see Santa on Christmas Eve and generally presents are opened on that day too. 
3. There is even a Santa's village in Lapland! 
1. Sorry, he is not considered from the North Pole. 
4. Finnish Christmas food is typically ham (a massive roasted piece of pork), vegetable casseroles (that quite often look like baby food), glöggi (drink it warm and never heat it in a water kettle!  Or be freaky like me and drink it cold or mix some 7Up in there for a cold fizzy drink!), joulutorttu (Christmas tart - a star-shaped flaky pastry with plum jam in the center) and Christmas porridge in the morning.  If you get the almond in the Christmas porridge - it's said to be very lucky. :)
5. Santa's are usually in the bigger grocery stores and sometimes a mall - there doesn't seem to be a photography service included.  Be sure to bring your own camera or use your cell phone.
6. It's alright to get a real Christmas tree - even in apartment buildings! (In Canada there tends to be more restrictions.)
1. It's illegal to just go out and chop down a tree wherever you please.
7. Finns don't do Christmas stockings - so they might be hard to come by.  You're better off making your own or using a real sock! :)
4. New Year's Eve
1. Don't drink and drive - it's illegal here too.
2. Fireworks may be publicly set off from 6pm-2am in Finland.  Your city will have ones at midnight to welcome in the new year.  The reason for allowing them so early - is for those with children who don't want to keep their children awake so late.  Best to walk the terrified dogs beforehand if you can!
3. You may get some tin metal horse shoes....and according to Finns - you melt them in a pot of boiling water then toss them in the snow or somewhere cold and whatever shape they take determines your following year.  Friend of mine got one that looked like sperm...still hasn't had a baby and this was 3 years ago at least.

As usual - I'm super late getting this out and posted. 
Well, happy holidays!  I'm back to cleaning and cooking - as we're going to celebrate Christmas tomorrow with friends visiting! :)

Happy Holidays!
BIMU