So where’s all the snow Lappeenranta? It is Christmas time and I know for a lot of you it might not feel like it without some snowy flakes falling from the sky. And although fun and beautiful and wintery, the lack of snow is not unusual for a kid from Hermosa Beach. For a lot of people, the white on the ground and the frost on the trees let everyone know that Santa was soon to come. For myself, I knew Christmas was around the corner when the front page of the newspaper featured old St. Nick surfing his long board.
I am having a lot fo fun learning about the different Finnish holiday traditions. We have some pretty fun traditions and family customs we celebrate together at home. We always drive through a neighborhood famously known for their over the top and beautiful Christmas lights and decorations. Here you will find extraordinary light shows synced to Christmas songs covering nearly every inch of a person’s house and lawn. Check it out on YouTube. It really is amazing what people do. Most featuring hours and hours of work dedicated to hundreds of thousands of lights.
The adults of the extended family choose a name from a hat for who they buy a present for. As a youngster this is great because you generally open presents from everyone. Each year dreadfully waiting the day your name is thrown in the hat at Christmas time and the amount of gifts significantly decrease. We get together on Christmas Eve and have a very eclectic array of food always featuring my Aunt Evie’s famous deviled eggs. Which few get to enjoy because my father is always close by, as they are his favorite. We visit, talk, and excitedly find out who drew our name, while the children run around happily with their new gadgets and toys from everyone.
Christmas day is spent with our respective immediate families and seems like present opening is pushed back later every year. Allowing everyone to sleep in a little later. After, the entire family makes their way to my aunts house for brunch. My family always manages to show up late, leaving us with the delicious leftovers . We enjoy each others company as the kids brag about what Santa Claus brought them the night before. There is always a competitive game of pictionary as people always hope to be on my Nina’s team. My grandmother sits in the other room as the judge and jury of all disputes. She never plays but I think she knows the answer just a little ahead of everyone else.
This year I will be spending Christmas in Helsinki and I am very excited. Having only been there briefly for games, I can’t wait to be a tourist and shop and eat and take pictures. It will be nice to get away for a bit and relax.
Let’s do some catching up on my previous blog. There has been some bowling since then. But, frankly, I think guys are a little bit intimidated of myself and Sagge’s skills. And probably a little sick of losing. I have done better finding my way through the super market and feel a bit more comfortable. I still have a man crush on Fazer chocolate and even had an offer to visit the factory! I am going to be a grown up Augustus Gloop from ”Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”.
I want wish everyone a merry Christmas and a wonderful new year!
Hyvaa joulua!
Respectfully
Brian Salcido
”I still have a man crush on Fazer chocolate and even had an offer to visit the factory! I am going to be a grown up Augustus Gloop from ”Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”.
Well that was funny!
Some nice games for you and SaiPa, keep it going strong!!!
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