A family Christmas in a countryside log cabin—“We listen to how centuries-old logs sigh in the frost”

Birgitta and Erkki Rantala spend their Christmas in an atmospheric setting, surrounded by old log walls. Their cabin is a log cottage that was relocated to the shore of Lake Konnevesi in 1821.

What does the cabin mean to you?

Erkki: This is my grandmother’s place, and it’s full of memories in every way. I spent all my childhood vacations here. In summer, I fetched ice from a sawdust pile to cool milk and drove the cows along the dirt road to pasture. In winter, we hauled firewood to the old smoke sauna with a horse and fetched water from a hole in the ice. I’ll never forget how the neighbors’ kid and I once skied off the barn roof—we must have been quite the troublemakers.

We inherited this place five years ago and renovated it. Now our children and their families also spend time here. There’s always room for friends and neighbors on the long benches in the living area—just like in Grandma’s day.

What’s the atmosphere like?

Birgitta: The décor is mostly made up of items that have always been here. My favorite is the old table in the main room, which has a flip-top surface for baking.

The creaking plank floors set the stage, and vintage objects complete the look. I love pieces that show their age. Rag rugs, an old straw himmeli, and lace curtains create just the right sense of calm here.

How did you spend Christmas here in the past?

Erkki: Grandma always baked all the bread, cakes, and pastries for the Christmas table. Nothing beats the taste of old-fashioned Finnish Christmas dishes: Karelian stew, casseroles, or oven-baked ham. The baking oven is still the same as it was back then.

The highlight of my childhood Christmases was lighting a candle on the tree in the corner of the living room. I was only allowed to burn one candle at a time. We slept on straw mattresses in the small bedroom, and every now and then we rascals got carried away jumping on them—which, of course, got us in trouble.

How do you spend Christmas now?

Birgitta: Traditions are a huge part of our Christmas. Erkki is in charge of the oven-baked ham and potato casserole—apparently the kids say it’s just not Christmas without them. I do the baking and handle the rest of the meal preparations.

A real Christmas tree and candles are must-haves. We place a candelabra on the windowsill so anyone outside can see its warm glow. We go sledding at top speed with our grandchildren down what we call the “sauna hill,” where the old smoke sauna once stood. We grown-ups can let loose in the fresh snow too. In the evening, we roll up the rugs and dance salsa.

How do you start the day on Christmas?

Birgitta: We sleep in because there’s no rush. Erkki keeps us warm by lighting a fire in the baking oven, and it heats the rooms in no time. Slowly simmered rice porridge and fruit compote made from dried fruits top off a peaceful morning. All we see outside is a snowy yard and the cheerful lights of the outdoor tree.

How do you decorate for the celebration?

Birgitta: I love the nearby forests—and it shows. I’m certainly a tree hugger. I start gathering natural materials during my fall walks. There’s no such thing as too much moss. I make heart-shaped wreaths and angels from birch to brighten up the gray walls, and I also craft evergreen spheres and wreaths. Inside the cabin, we keep a small flock of angel decorations, each with its own story.

Do you also decorate the yard?

Birgitta: I’m always on the lookout for treasures. It’s fascinating to find naturally shaped decorations in the forest. I’ve carried twisted wood and beautiful branches into our yard. Together we gather fir trees nearby—there can be several in the winter yard to create the perfect atmosphere. I’ve noticed different evergreens vary, so I always pick only the fullest, prettiest branches for my spheres. Often, a new idea pops into my head right there in the woods.

What is your Christmas sauna like?

Birgitta: In summer, we dry birch twigs for our sauna whisk and freeze them for this special moment. I also freeze dried birch leaves in small bags—soaking them in hot water releases a fresh birch scent. I often dry currant leaves as well.

We might dash out of the sauna to make snow angels, then hurry back into the warmth. Candles cast a cozy, dim glow inside.

What’s on your holiday table?

Erkki: We always serve traditional dishes. We want our children and grandchildren to appreciate an old-time Christmas, which includes classic games. Everyone loves casseroles, rosolli salad, roast, and ham. We learned the best recipes from our mothers.

For dessert, we present treats from days gone by: braided sweet bread, coffee cakes, and cookies. Sometimes we nibble on gingerbread and blue cheese. Late at night, we toast with red wine to celebrate the year gone by.

Where does the Christmas spirit come from?

Birgitta: It comes from togetherness. When our children and grandchildren are here, everything that matters is in that moment. Santa visits every year, and it’s wonderful to watch the grandkids’ excitement. We listen to the radio in our wool slippers, remembering how Erkki’s grandma also used to do, sitting in her rocking chair. In frosty weather, we might hear the centuries-old logs sigh—a moment you can practically feel. Imagine the stories they could tell!

What’s the best thing about spending Christmas at the cabin?

Erkki: The gray log cabin, smelling of winter apples, evergreen boughs, and gingerbread. The building brims with memories, and we hope it will last another hundred years. When the Finnish Christmas song “Sydämeeni joulun teen” plays on the radio, it’s an unforgettable moment. That’s how we continue the story of this house and honor the memories stored in its logs.