Pikkujoulu
Pikkujoulu (Finnish for "little Christmas") is a Finnish traditional party held to anticipate Christmas. The Pikkujoulu party is non-formal, highly festive, and themed after Christmas. Pikkujoulu parties are held by various communities, organisations, companies, or just among friends. Not to be compared with Lilla jul, the latter of which is annually celebrated the Saturday before 1st advent. Lilla jul is celebrated by the Swedish-speaking population of Finland.
Description
Pikkujoulu differs from Christmas as more free-form and less religious. Traditionally, Pikkujoulu is a day when Christmas dishes are served for the first time. These include rice pudding with fruit.[1] The most traditional Pikkujoulu drink is called "glögi" (the Finnish equivalent of the German Glühwein or mulled wine), which can be served with or without alcohol. Glögi is made of hot juice or red wine and spiced with cinnamon, ginger, clove, raisins, and almonds.[2]
For entertainment, there are festive speeches often followed by jokes or humorous sketches, after which, mock awards are given out. Song books are then passed out and happy Christmas hits are sung in Finnish, English, or Swedish. Christmas karaoke has become quite popular, and any performer will garner applause, no matter how unpleasant they may sound. There could also be a band, stand-up comedian, magician, or funny play. Every Pikkujoulu celebration has a Santa Claus giving out little gag gifts.[3]
In 2011, the Pikkujoulu Christmas parties around Helsinki, Finland caused 400 police calls on the same night. Helsinki police attributed the high number of calls to alcohol consumption.[4]
The Finnish Pikkujoulu is similar to other Nordic pre Christmas traditions, such as the Norwegian julebord and Swedish julbord. In recent years some Norwegians have started to adapt their julebord to the Pikkujoulu, washing out the differences between these Nordic pre Christmas traditions. [citation needed]
History
Pikkujoulu is based on the
The proper Pikkujoulu tradition started in
The private family Pikkujoulu is probably based on a tradition stating that the
See also
References
- ^ Life in Finland Pikkujoulu – celebrating the start of the Christmas season in Finland Archived 2014-12-06 at the Wayback Machine(accessed 15 May 2014)
- ^ ESN FINT Holidays and festivities in Finland, (accessed 15 May 2014)
- ^ Embassy of Finland in Athens News, Show me the way to the next pikkujoulu, (accessed 15 May 2014)
- ^ yle UUTISET Pikku Joulu high jinks keep police busy (accessed 15 May 2014)
- ^ South Africans in Finland Christmas in Finland: Pikkujoulu,(accessed 15 May 2014).
External links
- Avoin museo: Kuusijuhlat ja pikkujoulut
- Pikkujoulu celebration: Finnish descendants celebrate Little Christmas
- Finnish American Society celebrates Pikku Joulu
- Pikkujoulu celebration on Dec. 14 in Marquette
- "Pikkujoulu" moves to Immanuel
- Pikkujoulu at the Embassy of Malaysia, Helsinki
- Finnish American Cultural Activities, Inc.