Modern Christmas - thisisFINLAND

Calm and harmony: A relaxing sauna continues to be a Finnish Christmas tradition

A steaming hot sauna, softly illuminated and filled with the fragrant aroma of birch leaves, is a centuries-old Finnish tradition intended to bring calmness, harmony and peace before the start of Christmas celebrations.

Christmas Christmas cuisine

A Finnish chef puts a fresh spin on Christmas recipes

We meet chef Timo Lepistö to get some refreshing new versions of Finnish Christmas recipes and discuss his favourite things about Christmas in Finland, in an article that is sure to make you hungry.

Christmas Christmas fun

That time Santa Claus visited Finland’s Twitter chat

Santa Claus himself took part in ThisisFINLAND’s Twitter chat just a short while before Christmas, and you can still read his posts online.

Christmas Christmas fun

Artificial intelligence helps Santa in Finnish Christmas videos

Santa has installed several artificial-intelligence innovations to help keep gift deliveries rolling. But as ThisisFINLAND’s videos show, he still has the answers when the machines are stumped.

Christmas Modern Christmas

My first Finnish Christmas: Cold but cosy

An Englishman who has lived in Helsinki for decades recalls the magic of his first Christmas in Finland.

Christmas Santa Claus

Amid preparations at home in Finland, Santa says Christmas deliveries will go ahead

Approaching the end of another year filled with coronavirus concerns and travel restrictions, Santa Claus wants everyone to know that he will not be deterred from delivering presents to the world’s children.

Christmas Santa Claus

At home in Finland, Santa tells the world’s kids he has the green light for Christmas

Children and adults alike will be glad to learn that vehicles propelled by flying reindeer – and their drivers – are globally exempt from travel restrictions, at least during the holiday season.

Christmas Modern Christmas

Christmas lights up the Helsinki night

Our holiday slideshow contradicts the idea that the northern winter is a time of lingering darkness. Bring on the light!