19. Finnish Christmas — goats, sauna, and secret origins

In this episode, we explore the unique world of Finnish Christmas (joulu): its ancient roots, modern traditions, and the vocabulary you need to understand it all.

You’ll learn:

• the true origin of joulupukki — the Finnish Santa who began as a goat from old pagan rituals

• where the word joulu comes from, and how pre-Christian festivals shaped Finnish Christmas

• the Finnish December calendar: pikkujoulut, joulurauha, joulusauna, Christmas Eve traditions, and more

• the most iconic Finnish Christmas foods (joulukinkku, laatikot, riisipuuro, piparit, joulutortut)

• essential Christmas vocabulary

• cultural insights that explain why Finnish Christmas is both peaceful and full of quirky traditions

Whether you’re studying Finnish, living in Finland, or simply love Nordic culture, this episode will help you understand Christmas the Finnish way — calm, cozy, and deeply rooted in history.

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