We are almost ready for Christmas, where we will be having my wife's family over for the meal and present opening. This is our first time hosting and I think my wife is a little nervous, especially since this is the largest one for their family, as there are now an extra couple of fiancés included into the mix.
It would be nice to have my family here too - it isn't possible.
Finns seem to take Christmas far more seriously than Australians, even though there is no religious side to it really here for most people. I think that part of the reason is that Finns are a bit antisocial at the best of times, so Christmas means having people over to judge the house, preparations, food and anything else that judgement can be passed on. Socializing is more of a test in Finland than something people do for fun because they like people.
I might be exaggerating.
But only slightly.
We have 17 people sitting down for a meal, which is okay space-wise, for our home, but I had to buy another full dining table to seat everyone. So, now the dining room looks a little like a restaurant. Of course, we don't have all the plated and glasses needed, but this is where the Finnish culture has us covered.
Because everyone pretty much buys the same stuff, we have been able to get a few extra plates and white wine glasses from the rest of the family that match our own. Easy! It is kind of like an extension of everyone wearing the same clothes I guess - mixing and matching is very easy, as everything already matches.
This goes for the food too.
As an Australian, I am used to having Christmas in the heat and because it is very multicultural, our Christmas table is likely different to our neighbors and the neighbor next to them, different again. The basic rule for Christmas food in Oz is, as long as it is good. I have had barbecues with pig on a spit, seafood with fresh prawns from down the docks, Indian curries and Sushi Christmas meals - I love the range.
Here in Finland, there is probably 5% variation in offerings across the entire population, with people having a far narrower concept of what Christmas food should be. The food is generally baked ham, fish dishes and casseroles, with all of the different casseroles (potato, sweet potato, carrot, beetroot, liver...) all tasting identical.
I wish I was exaggerating on that one.
The ham is good though and this year, we have an 8 kilo (17lb) ham and it is looking pretty darn good! I like it a little drier than most and I think this year it is fall off the bone deliciousness. My wife likes it the same and we will likely be judged for it - but this is our house!
I will try to get a picture before I eat it.
The place is looking pretty good, but I still have many chores to do before the guests arrive in a couple hours, including the snow work. A "white Christmas" used to be almost guaranteed in Finland earlier, but with the slow influx of immigrants that bring the warmer weather in suitcases like myself, that is no longer the case. But this year, snow has fallen to the point I will have to clear the driveway a little to make it look like I have done some work.
With everything going on for the next hours, I am not sure how much I will be around today, but I will try to log in occasionally and say hi - or not. One thing that I do encourage around this time of year is, having a little fun with posts and enjoying the festive season. Relax a bit, spend time with family if available and reflect on the year gone and the year ahead so that the mind and body is rested, prepped and knows where it is headed in the coming year.
Have a Merry Christmas.
Yeah I know - it is a day early.
But Finns are impatient and celebrate on the 24th.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]