According to Finnish belief, Santa Claus is lived in Lapland, is also known as Korvatunturi, in the northern region of Finland. There is a tourist place called ‘Christmas Land’ near this place. People all over the world send Christmas greeting cards to Santa who lives in Finland. Santa has no need to travel for a long to give Christmas gifts as Finland is the nearest place. If Santa couldn’t give away the gifts, he keeps them under the Christmas trees. He comes in the sleigh that is pulled by the rain deers. If the children are so naughty, instead of gifts, they will get charcoal.
People of Finland try to be at home during the season of Christmas. The Fishermen will keep their boats in the harbor on the day of St. Thomas, that is 21 December. In Finland, even animals too have Christmas celebrations. Farmers hang a bundle of paddy on a tree for birds and animals. Similarly, nuts and other food items are also hung on tree branches for other animals. Hence birds and animals will take part in the celebration of Christmas.
People in Finland celebrate their Christmas in a special way. On the day of Christmas, traditionally, there would be served rice pudding plum fruit juice for breakfast. Then they will start to decorate the Christmas tree. In the noontime, the Mayor’s Christmas message will be on Television. This is the first half of Christmas day. The next important Christmas day ritual is visiting the cemetery and praying at the graves of loved ones. Those with vehicles should park it a short distance away and walk to the cemetery. This is a major tradition in Finland. The cemetery will be illuminated with many kinds of bulbs.
The main Christmas meal is dinner. Traditionally it starts with the Lute Fish. The main meals are pork, half-boiled potatoes with milk, and yogurt. There will also be plenty of vegetables along with these. After the dinner, it is the time of arrival of Santa Claus. He goes to each house and asks whether there have children at home. The people at the houses will say the replies with greater joy. Then the next question is, “Have they lived well in the last year?” After that, they will be provided gifts by Santa. Adults also gather around the children to see the given presents.