Enter a Christmas wonderland at Juha’s lakeside elf house and smoke sauna
A log cabin by the lake brings Paula and Juha Koskelo’s family together, especially just before Christmas. That’s when a family of elves moves into their own small cabin on the property. The cabin living room exudes a nostalgic holiday spirit that feels straight out of a Swedish storybook.
Though the cabin was built 35 years ago, its large living room’s dark walls, old items, and furniture make it feel much older. Oulu residents Paula and Juha Koskelo built the cabin on Juha’s childhood stomping grounds while they were living near Turku. At the time, it served as a vital link to the northern landscapes they both grew up with. Now, the drive from their current city takes just over an hour, allowing them to enjoy the tranquil surroundings even on a typical weekend.
Residents: Paula and Juha Koskelo, along with their children and grandchildren.
Home A log cabin built in 1990 in Pyhäntä, Finland. This 220-square-meter (2,370 ft²) cabin has six rooms, a bathroom, a sauna, and a kitchen. The property also includes a smoke sauna and a small cabin in the yard.
“We usually spend Christmas in the city because of the grandparents, but every year we still hold a small family Christmas at the cabin on a weekend before the holiday. Now that our children are adults, one of them might decide to enjoy the peaceful countryside for part of the Christmas season,” says Juha Koskelo.
For Juha, Christmas at the cabin truly captures the holiday spirit. He loves the deep blue twilight, the starry sky, the smoke sauna, and of course, the Christmas tree. From beneath its branches, you can admire the elf house tucked under the tall pines along the shore.
Elves have been part of Finnish folklore for centuries. They were once seen as protectors of the home and yard, believed to bring good luck. They only became associated with Christmas in the 19th century. Today, they’re a beloved part of the Finnish holiday season, adding fun and festivity while reminding us of our roots and the importance of tradition.
You can’t talk about Christmas at the cabin without mentioning the elves, which have been dear to the cabin’s owner since childhood. Back then, they would gather kids’ Christmas wishes through a gap in the logs of a rustic hut. Juha has always loved the worlds depicted by the Swedish artists Carl Larsson and Jenny Nyström, and he wanted to create that same feeling on his own cabin lot. The elf house—also called the little cabin—is the yard’s centerpiece. He built it a few years ago between the main house and the lake.
“Over 60 years of life haven’t diminished the wonder of elves. Juha still feels excited when Santa is about to arrive.”
Building and decorating the elf house were treasured projects planned for the grandchildren. During the Christmas season, the house is home to a family of elf figurines. Sometimes they join Juha at a nearby wilderness cabin. In the summer, grandchildren bring the elf house to life with their enthusiastic play.
Even after more than 60 years, Juha’s fascination with elves remains strong, and his anticipation of Santa’s arrival never fades. That’s likely why the elves feel almost real. Their presence adds a bit of magic and mystery to the Christmas festivities.
Christmas holds a special place in Juha’s heart. He fondly remembers the modest yet unforgettable atmosphere of childhood holidays and the everyday rural life he shared with many siblings. Now, these memories and traditions are passed on to his own children and grandchildren.
Juha recalls one especially mild Christmas at the cabin a few years ago, when local “boys” from his home village kept an old custom alive by throwing gifts through the door and sprinting away, just as they did when he was young.
What fascinates everyone at the cabin most is the Swedish-style Christmas. The Koskelos have brought home various decorations from Swedish flea markets over the years. They love browsing stores with old items, and one of their favorite vacation activities has been exploring Swedish ones during their trips. Vintage elf illustrations, wooden candlesticks, and straw ornaments often return with them.
“Sweden has strong Christmas traditions, and a lot of old items have endured there. Even our Christmas meatballs are inspired by Sweden,” Paula says.
Authenticity is a big part of Christmas at the Koskelo cabin—and reflect their overall approach to decorating. They prefer genuinely old finds over new reproductions. For example, there’s a daybed in the living room and a ryijy rug hanging above it, which Paula’s parents received as a wedding gift in the 1950s.
Saunas are a big deal here. The main building’s electric sauna is rarely used, while the wood-burning lakeside sauna is heated almost every night the family stays at the cabin. On Christmas Eve, they light the smoke sauna for a regal sauna experience. Situated where a river meets the lake, it’s ideal for a dip in icy river water after a hot sauna.
When December arrives, the elf house is ready, too. With all the preparations complete, it’s time to relax under the starry sky and in the soothing warmth of the smoke sauna. Did a red cap just slip around the corner of the old storehouse? If it can happen anywhere, it’s here.
