Pikkujoulu facts for kids

Pikkujoulu (say "Pik-koo-yoh-loo") is a special Finnish party that happens before Christmas. The name "Pikkujoulu" means "little Christmas" in Finnish. It's a fun, relaxed party with a Christmas theme. Many different groups, like companies, clubs, or just friends, have their own Pikkujoulu parties. It's different from "Lilla jul," which is celebrated by Swedish-speaking people in Finland the Saturday before the first Advent.

What is Pikkujoulu?

Pikkujoulu is a bit different from Christmas itself. It's usually more casual and not as focused on religion. It's a time when people often try out traditional Christmas foods for the first time each year.

Delicious Pikkujoulu Foods and Drinks

One classic food served at Pikkujoulu is rice pudding with fruit. For drinks, people enjoy "glögi" (say "gloh-gee"). This warm drink is like mulled wine, but it can be made with juice or red wine. It's spiced with yummy things like cinnamon, ginger, cloves, raisins, and almonds.

Fun Activities at the Party

Pikkujoulu parties are full of entertainment! People often give funny speeches, tell jokes, or perform humorous skits. Sometimes, silly awards are given out. Everyone loves to sing Christmas songs from special songbooks, in Finnish, English, or Swedish. Karaoke is also very popular, and everyone cheers for the singers, no matter how they sound! You might also see a band, a stand-up comedian, a magician, or a funny play. A special part of every Pikkujoulu is when Santa Claus shows up to hand out small, funny gifts.

Pikkujoulu in the Nordic Countries

Pikkujoulu is similar to other pre-Christmas parties in countries nearby. For example, Norway has "julebord" and Sweden has "julbord". These parties all share the idea of getting together to celebrate before Christmas arrives.

The History of Pikkujoulu

The idea of Pikkujoulu comes from a tradition called Advent. Advent was a time of waiting for Jesus Christ and a period of fasting that ended on Christmas Day. In the 1800s, this Advent period was sometimes called "the little Christmas." This tradition first started in Germany and Sweden before Finnish students began to celebrate it.

How Pikkujoulu Became a Tradition

The modern Pikkujoulu tradition really began in Helsinki after World War I. It grew out of "Christmas tree parties" that were held in schools. Over time, supper parties held by student groups in the autumn slowly turned into the Pikkujoulu we know today. By the 1930s, these student parties had become popular with other groups and communities too. Before World War II, some of these parties were even called "porridge parties."

Family Pikkujoulu and Old Traditions

The idea of a private family Pikkujoulu might come from an old tradition. On December 21st, which is the nameday of Tuomas, people used to say it was the first day you could taste homemade beer. In Sweden, this evening is called Lilla jul or "little Christmas." This tradition later became connected to the Saint Lucy's Day celebration, which still has some similarities to the Finnish Pikkujoulu.