Mulled wine for months

Mulled wine is her Christmas star: “My mulled wine season lasts right up to Easter”

In a Finnish log house, Christmas preparations begin well in advance—Meri, a cancer researcher, wants to bask in the atmosphere whenever she’s home. That’s when mulled wine is poured, and the mulled wine season lasts for half the year.

Author Jonna Kivilahti

Images Krista Keltanen

November 29, 2025Lue suomeksi

Home: A duplex log house from the year 1928 in Porvoo, Finland. Includes 3 rooms and a kitchen, measuring 107.5 m² (1,157 sq ft).

Residents: Meri Kekäle, 53, head of an international cancer research team, and Meri’s son Emil, 23, who visits his mother whenever he's in the region.

When do you start your Christmas preparations?

I travel a lot for work, and late autumn is a busy time. With a tight schedule and business trips, I’ve realized that if I decorate my home for Christmas well in advance, I actually get to enjoy the atmosphere. The decorations have been placed nicely, and the mood almost creates itself.

Meri Kekäle setting the table — Meri starts baking for Christmas as early as September. “Last Christmas I used star-shaped cutters to make little layered pastries filled with plum jam and cheese.” On Christmas Eve, they enjoy salmon sandwiches and champagne for starters.

“The amaryllis is my favorite Christmas flower, and it’s so eye-catching I don’t need anything alongside it.”

What have you learned about celebrating Christmas?

Christmas, for me, is a time to unwind and be together—and the most important celebration of the year. My son was born on Christmas Day, so the holiday carries a special meaning. Emil has been the best and dearest Christmas present.

“I buy mulled wine as soon as it hits the stores early in autumn, and my mulled wine season lasts right up to Easter.”

What are your top things for Christmas?

I love mulled wine, so that's my number one. I buy it as soon as it hits the stores early in autumn, and my mulled wine season lasts right up to Easter. You could probably say I drink mulled wine for half the year, almost until the snow melts. I prefer ready-made mixes and spice them up with almonds and raisins. Baking, flowers, and candles are also important to me. Music is an essential part of the atmosphere. I make lots of edible gifts too: cherry liqueur, applesauce, and Christmas candies.

Artek tea trolley in the living room — The Elle XXL sofa by HT Collection is dressed with velvet cushions for Christmas. The tea trolley from Artek has traveled from home to home. The lamp is Tolomeo Mega by Artemide. Meri hung angel wings on the wall accompanied with a string of lights for atmosphere.

Meri Kekäle drinking mulled wine by the fireplace — In winter the fireplace is lit every day. In the background you can see the way to the kitchen and, to the right, the guest room. Meri’s mulled wine season runs from autumn almost until the snow melts.

Christmas flowers on the Artek tea trolley — A hellebore arrangement, a hyacinth, and chocolate from a brand beloved since childhood complete the living room’s Christmas feel.

What are your most beloved Christmas traditions?

Time together with loved ones, Christmas sauna, and quiet moments. In the dark season I burn candles and light the fireplace every day. Music helps set the mood, and instead of Finnish Christmas carols I listen to old English-language classics.

Advent candles and an elf on the tabletop — Elves by Maileg live on the side table; they’re Meri’s favorites year after year. Meri arranged the Advent candles on a teak tray by Iittala and used sprigs of juniper from her own yard as embellishments.

Living room with a lit fireplace — The log wall between the living room and kitchen is on display like a painting on the living room side, too. In front of the logs Meri has set a paper star, and a small spruce tree stands beside it. The poster is from London; the butterfly chair is by Cuero.

Book and knitting on a tray — Knitting is one of Meri’s favorite pastimes. A glass of steaming mulled wine, music on—and the moment is set for getting cozy.

“In the dark season I burn candles and light the fireplace every day.”

What are your favorite flowers?

The amaryllis is my favorite Christmas flower, and it’s so eye-catching I don’t need anything alongside it. I also love parrot tulips. A white orchid suits Christmas, but I’m not a fan of poinsettias. I use evergreen sprigs as decoration indoors and outside. I don’t know how to make wreaths or flower arrangements myself, so I buy them from local Christmas markets.

Meri walking up the stairs — The gray-painted staircase leads to the upper landing, which serves as a dressing room, and from there to Meri’s bedroom. The molding has been replaced with thick rope.

Mirrored dresser in the bedroom — The bedroom’s old mirrored dresser was inherited from her grandparents. The slanted ceiling adds some charm to the space.

Jewelry on a tray atop the dresser — On the bedroom’s mirrored dresser Meri keeps her jewelry. The pieces are like decorations themselves, but she slips in a touch of Christmas with added ornament balls.

Bedroom with a painting on the wall above the bed — Meri painted the bedroom walls gray. The large painting was commissioned, inspired by a work by Peter Zanguillon. The crisp white bedding gets warmth from light-pink pillows and a blanket.

Bookcase and painting — Above the bookcase Meri hung a painting commissioned from Noora Svärd. The ceramic horse was acquired in the 1990s from Eastern Finland. Meri collects posters made by Artek.

What preparations have you let go of?

Santa doesn’t really visit us anymore, but leaves the presents at the door—it’s an honor for the young ones to hand them out. I’ve given up making gingerbread cookies, so I buy them ready-made from the store. I also used to think Christmas needed a big, real tree, but in recent years I’ve gone into the forest already in November to bring a small tabletop spruce tree for the living room. Its irresistible scent on its own gives my home the feeling of Christmas.

Half of a duplex in a winter landscape — This half of a duplex became Meri’s home about three years ago. The living room view opening onto the sea is the reason she fell in love with the house.

Header edited on 12/23/24.

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