Lapland's Christmas Traditions

April 21, 2010 - PRLog -- Christmas in Lapland is quite an experience for adults and children alike and the magic is everywhere from the streets and shops to Santa’s house. The Christmas celebrations and traditions slightly differ from our own. Like in many countries Finnish children start counting the days down to Christmas with an advent calendar and the first Sunday of December sees the calendar opened for the first time.  December 13th is also a special time,  the day of st Lucia is celebrated with the lighting of candles in the streets and celebrations in the town.  Shopping for a Christmas tree will follow and people will begin to really get into the festive period by exchanging cards and getting very excited.  Like our own tradition of going to midnight mass, the people of Finland will visit Church and also remember lost ones at this special time of year. On Christmas Eve they may have porridge for lunch with a hidden Almond inside the porridge, the lucky person to find the Almond gets the privilege of singing a song. Saunas in Lapland are a huge tradition and on Christmas Eve it is a must to Sauna with your family.  Traditional Christmas Dinner is served in Lapland on Christmas Eve and will normally consist of ham, casserole, beetroot salad and a host of traditional Lapland fare.  Christmas presents are also given out on Christmas Eve and everyone gets a visit from Santa Claus, Christmas carols are song and it is a very joyous occasion.  Christmas doesn’t end on Christmas day and the festivities continue and Lapland holds on to that Christmas feeling well after Christmas day.  New years Eve again see’s lots of celebrations in Lapland, the ice hotel is a particularly nice place to be on New Year’s Eve.  The ice hotel offers a fabulous meal with champagne along with a fantastic firework display at midnight. All other places will celebrate too with fireworks, a drink or two and a great atmosphere. Whenever you decide to visit Lapland, you will literally have the time of your life.

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Just Lapland offer cabin rental all year round in Lapland as well as offering advice and information on holidays to Lapland and emigrating to Finland. http;//www.justlapland.com