Finnish Christmas vocabulary

Santa's helpers.

A star-shaped pastry with a plum jam filling.

A sweetened casserole made of mashed potatoes.

A casserole made of mashed rutabagas.

A casserole made of mashed carrots and rice.

A baked ham, sometimes covered with a pastry crust.

A salad made of cooked and chopped beetroots and carrots. Other vegetables can be added, too - for instance onions.

The variety of dishes served on the Christmas Eve for dinner is referred as "joulupöytä".

Dried white fish - usually cod - eated with lye.

Rice porridge is often served with cinnamon and sugar, or mixed fruit soup.

Traditionally one almond is put inside the porridge and it will bring good luck for the one who gets it in their portion.

A Scandinavian version of mulled wine. Can be either alcoholic or nonalcoholic.

The Finnish name literally translates to "Christmas star".

A traditional community singing event held by local congregations in almost each town during Christmas time. The songs in the event are all Christmas songs, and the events often take place in a church.

Referring to the worship held in the morning of the Christmas Day.

Traditionally Finnish people go to sauna on the Christmas Eve and thus, going to sauna that day is called Christmas sauna.

13th of December a day commemorating Saint Lucy, a martyr who, according to the legend, helped Christians who were hiding in the catacombs in the 3rd century.

In Finland, Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve, so on the 24th of December. Common traditions include going to church, having dinner with one's family, going to sauna, and sharing presents, for instance. However, it is not official a day off, but stores close early.

The 6th of January, officially the end of Christmas time time to remove decorations and take down the Christmas tree.

Declaration of Christmas Peace is announced on Christmas Eve in several cities in Finland. The oldest, most popular one takes place in Turku, the former capital, where the declaration has been read since the 1320s.

A place in Finland where Santa Claus is said to live.

"Little Christmas", Christmas parties arranged before Christmas, for instance in companies.