St. Andrew's Day
Description:
On the main squares of cities put huge fir trees. For a whole month, until the forest guest is removed, children can take part in its decoration - they are given the lower branches of the tree and arrange special excursions, during which children are allowed to hang something on the tree to their liking.
One of the streets of the city is declared Christmas: there the festive illumination makes especially beautiful and lush. Alexandrinkatu has been a street in Helsinki for almost fifty years.
The opening of a Christmas street in Finland marks the official start of preparations for Christmas, one of the first signs of which is the installation of a main Christmas tree in the city center and decorating the streets with Christmas lights, and buildings with original lighting.
The tradition of lighting Christmas lights, symbolizing faith, hope and love, has existed in Finland for more than 150 years. Previously, lamps were wooden with greasy candles and a lampshade made of oiled paper. And in 1913, crosses, anchors and hearts from electric light bulbs were first lit above Suurkatu Street in Pietarsaari.
In the Finnish capital, the first lights were lit on December 13, 1930. Now the lights above the streets of the city, as well as pre-holiday shopping, are an integral part of Christmas and holiday mood for Finns.
Another sign of the approaching Christmas was the appearance in Finnish stores of a huge number of a variety of chocolates, Christmas cakes made of puff dough in the form of stars and a Christmas drink - gelgi, which is drunk hot, adding raisins and almonds to it.