What is Christmas like in Finland?

[Oombongo]

Such interesting responses So in Finland Christmas is more family gatherings? What about parties? Like cocktails and humor, not so much a family dinner?

**On an off-note. Can anyone message me about about Helsinki nightlife? Year-round nightlife. And about the dark/youth/music subcultures of either Helsinki or Tampere?**

Only pre-Christmas parties. 95% of the country is in total-shutdown-during-zombie-apocalypse mode. It is usually advised to store plenty of food or either you'd end up dying from starvation or joining for food in salvation army camp or hoping for an open local pizzeria.
And the Helsinki night live is mostly about getting drunk during the weekends. Most of the clubs cost around 8€ - 13€ entry + cloakroom charges (3€ - 4€). They are invaded by drunks after 2300. Those clubs which doesn't cost entry fee (cloakroom charges are still there) are usually for over 24+ but again they are invaded by drunks or intoxicated folks. Pushing becomes a national sport in clubs in here. There is no subculture once booze starts to flow down the throats

[misu]

Such interesting responses So in Finland Christmas is more family gatherings? What about parties? Like cocktails and humor, not so much a family dinner?

I don't know what you were expecting or why you're surprised. Even in the US Christmas is usually a family-oriented holiday. In Finland it's the same but a bit moreso. Parties? You mean, like, amongst friends and peers as opposed to family? Well workplaces tend to have "pikkujoulu", office-type Christmas parties, beginning a few weeks before Christmas. I've never been to one of those but I'd imagine they include cocktails and humor.

[Rip]

Well workplaces tend to have "pikkujoulu", office-type Christmas parties, beginning a few weeks before Christmas.

Pretty much always in November.

I've never been to one of those but I'd imagine they include cocktails and humor.

Eating and drinking, yes. Cocktails, might. Humor (good, bad or both), yes.

[AnnabelleIeve]

What about Christmas lights? There is a lot of hardcore competition for who has the best lights on the block. Are Christmas lights a thing in Finland?

[onkko]

What about Christmas lights? There is a lot of hardcore competition for who has the best lights on the block. Are Christmas lights a thing in Finland?

No and outside of house lights like we see in movies are practically unheard. You do practical and nice lights on your tree and windows but nothing what we see in movies.
Only wide spred lights outside are ice with candle in it.

[Tullynessle Turnip]

Getting drunk and stabbings at home, getting punched in the face on the streets, lots of cars in ditches/driven up against trees. That's just to relieve the boredom.

[Tullynessle Turnip]

"There is a lot of hardcore competition for who has the best lights on the block" - hmm... hardcore Christmas lights! Sounds pervy.

[Tullynessle Turnip]

And at Christmas milk tends to clump.

[AnnabelleIeve]

So no crazy lights and no insane shopping. What about.... CHRISTMAS CAROLING?

I personally hate carolers. They make things awkward. I can't stand there while they sing a song and try to smile at every one of them. Because by the time you have exhausted all of your fake holiday smiles, they are only half way through their song... And then it becomes one of those awkward moments when you just want them to hurry up and leave but they are contempt to stay and finish. Now I just don't answer the door but THEY STILL WONT STOP OR LEAVE. They start singing before they even ring the door bell! And they wont leave until they have finished their song. So I'm just hiding in a dark corner while they sing to what I hope they believe is an empty house. Public caroling is fine. But NOT door to door. It is so awful. I cannot convey these exact feelings I have to you. But I can say, I would never wish a plague of carolers unto your neighborhood. They are a cruel thing, carolers.

[Pursuivant]

Not carolers, but the "star boys" might come to sing...

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hnv6XB3_RWg

[Upphew]

I personally hate carolers. They make things awkward. I can't stand there while they sing a song and try to smile at every one of them. Because by the time you have exhausted all of your fake holiday smiles, they are only half way through their song... And then it becomes one of those awkward moments when you just want them to hurry up and leave but they are contempt to stay and finish. Now I just don't answer the door but THEY STILL WONT STOP OR LEAVE. They start singing before they even ring the door bell! And they wont leave until they have finished their song. So I'm just hiding in a dark corner while they sing to what I hope they believe is an empty house. Public caroling is fine. But NOT door to door. It is so awful. I cannot convey these exact feelings I have to you. But I can say, I would never wish a plague of carolers unto your neighborhood. They are a cruel thing, carolers.

So basically human spam. "Ei mainoksia, ei ilmaisjakelua" might not be enough, but add "ei kaupustelua" and it should do.

[AnnabelleIeve]

How do you celebrate New Year's in Finland?

[Alex.Sm]

Christmas is spent with the family. You eat, drink, eat, drink, eat, drink, eat and drink again for few days!

[misu]

How do you wipe your butt in Finland?

[Pursuivant]

I got a toilet brush as a present, but I prefer paper...