A delightfully long season of anticipation: Anu starts her Christmas countdown at Midsummer
“For me, Christmas isn’t just about Christmas Eve; it’s the entire long, atmospheric wait.” Anu decorates her family’s three-room rental apartment in Turku in a Scandinavian minimalist style, and their Christmas begins in early November with Christmas songs on the radio.
I’m a complete Christmas fanatic, and I start looking forward to the holidays already on Midsummer’s Day. In the middle of summer, my mind drifts to Christmas ornaments, festive scents, and beloved traditions. For me, Christmas isn’t just about Christmas Eve; it’s an entire long, atmospheric wait. I get in the spirit by scrolling through Instagram, watching Christmas movies, reading Christmas books, and thinking about gifts for my loved ones. It’s wonderful to see how the children enjoy the dim, cozy season and our shared activities, and how that anticipation tickles them with excitement.
Residents Anu and Luca and children Jonathan, 18, Mea, 15, Amelie, 9, and Eemi, 6. Instagram: @heim.lig.
Home A rental apartment in a block of flats built in 1968 in Turku. The three-room home has 80 square meters (860 sq ft).
For us, Christmas begins in early November, when the Finnish Jouluradio (“Christmas radio”) starts playing, and it’s a tradition. I hang paper snowflakes in the windows, gather evergreen branches in vases, and get my candle cupboard ready for the festivities. Soon, the scent of gingerbread drifts from the oven, as we treat our neighbors and loved ones to small Christmas goodies.
We also eagerly visit Turku’s Christmastime events. The Old Great Square Market and the lighting of the cathedral’s Christmas lights are part of our yearly schedule.
Among my all-time favorite Christmas decorations are those made by the children: they’re the dearest to me. When the kids were smaller, we often crafted together, but nowadays we mostly bake together. Some of the ornaments were chosen by the children back in the day, and some come from my mother’s heirloom collection.
Year after year, I gravitate toward dark green, deep red, and gold. The way I set the table changes annually: sometimes it’s lavish and abundant, while other times I just add evergreen branches, candles, and small wooden or brass trees. Recently, I’ve been fond of lightweight paper decorations that are easy to store.
On the day before Christmas Eve, I’m still wrapping the last gifts and making sure everything is set so that Christmas Eve truly feels like a celebration. We start the morning with rice porridge, and then my husband and I finish up the cooking and table setting. The Declaration of Christmas Peace from Turku is one of our traditions, and we watch it on TV.
We linger at the Christmas table for a long time, since food is so important in our family. My Italian husband loves Finnish holiday dishes, especially the Christmas ham and carrot casserole. On Christmas Eve, we stick to Finnish traditional delicacies, but by Christmas Day he’s ready to dive back into Italian flavors. As for me, I’m happy to enjoy Christmas foods for several days.
The wait for Christmas Eve peaks when Santa arrives. We open gifts together little by little. In the evening, the children immerse themselves in their new toys, and I sit with my husband, watching and storing up the magic of Christmas in my mind.
