The Finns And Their Winter Customs

Winter is a time for the world's five million Finns to savor by eating, drinking - and taking a sauna.

As per sauna suit reviews in internet sauna is almost a Finnish religion, although it is not a Finnish invention; native Americans used hot stones to keep their tepees warm and it then spread west. Finns, who enjoy one of the highest standards of living in Europe and live in a country 300 times bigger than Hong Kong, have endorsed saunas with an almost religious zeal. Saunas are enjoyed every day throughout the year, but on Christmas Eve - the traditional day of celebration instead of Christmas Day - the event is quite literally a family occasion.

Traditionally the sauna is enjoyed using a wood fire, with Finns smacking their bodies using thin birch twigs to boost circulation. Even in the coldest conditions they will brave the outdoors - even rolling around naked in the snow, or cutting a hole in a frozen lake for a swim - before going back to warm up. In the olden days saunas were the only way to keep clean - to wash yourself when it was freezing and snowing outside. Families will take a sauna together for a few hours before sitting down to their Christmas Eve meal.

Breads and pastries are often baked in the home, together with fruit cakes and gingerbread biscuits. Many families also enjoy a stew called karjalan paisti , which is made with beef or pork. Drinks include a home-brewed, sweet-tasting beer called kotikalja, and mulled red wine (glogi ) made with cloves, raisins, cinnamon and often a dash of vodka.

Finland prides itself on being home to the real Santa Claus at Rovaniemi, on the Arctic Circle, 2,560 kilometres from the North Pole. Every year, nearly 500,000 Dear Santa letters arrive - addressed sometimes just to Santa, North Pole from children in 150 different countries. A booming Santa Claus business thrives in the village, selling souvenirs and sending replies back in eight different languages. After the Christmas dinner, Santa Claus (often a friend or neighbor dressed in the traditional red robes and white beard) will bring in the presents for the whole family.

If you look outside your window in Finland about 5 pm or 6 pm on Christmas Eve you can often see dozens of Santa Clauses walking in the street with sacks of presents.

Christmas trees - a big export for Finland - are put up and decorated on Christmas Eve. In the evening, families will visit the cemetery to light candles at the graves of relatives.