Elf hats for Christmas babies: midwife Sari’s tiny welcome gifts
At Espoo Hospital in Finland, midwife Sari Räsänen has a heart-warming Christmas hobby. She carries on her workplace’s decades-old tradition: babies born at Christmas are sent home with an elf hat.
Sari, how did you get into making elf hats?
On our ward, there’s been a tradition for decades: babies born on Christmas Eve receive an elf hat as a gift. We often keep handing out hats on Christmas Day and to babies who arrive a little later during the holidays.
No one remembers exactly how the tradition began. When my colleague who had been making the elf hats retired eight years ago, I wanted to keep this small joy alive as my hobby.
I sew tunics and dresses for myself, and elf hats for our little sweethearts are fairly simple to make. Making and giving them brings me joy. Last year, two colleagues and I had a little hat-making bee.
”Many families keep this child’s very first elf hat. Once, we heard it even still fit—stretched out—on a ten-year-old.”
How do the mini elf hats come together?
I start buying Finnish jersey fabrics early in the year. There have been lots of animal and heart prints, subdued grays, and forest greens. This year, they’re red-and-white striped and different shades of red. The fabric has to please the maker’s eye too to make it to the sewing table.
I usually start by sewing beanies for the Finnish Independence Day. I make the elf hat on the serger from a single piece, listening to Christmas carols or holiday audiobooks as I sew. I’ve tweaked the pattern so the point tilts playfully to the side. At the tip, I add a small heart or star made from ribbon. I make 30–40 hats in total so there’s one for everyone.
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What kind of feedback have you received?
Families are delighted by this little surprise. Parents who don’t celebrate Christmas can, when possible, choose an animal-patterned elf hat for their baby. Many families have kept their child’s very first elf hat. Some have tested how long it still fits. Once, we heard it still fit—stretched out—on a ten-year-old.
What’s it like to work on the maternity ward at Christmas?
The atmosphere is always special—uniquely festive—even amid the bustle. I’ve been on duty for roughly ten Christmases.
My coworkers are like a second family to me. We decorate the ward well in advance. This year, everyone gets to take turns opening a cosmetics advent calendar. Many colleagues also accessorize with an elf hat. The gift of life, the miracle of birth, is always wonderful, and perhaps it feels even more special at Christmas.
