A Finnish Christmas

Finland has been named the happiest country in the world by World Happiness Report. With a population of just over 5.5 million people this country has a high quality education system, minimal homelessness, a strong safety net and an uplifting community spirit. December in Finland is a standout because the Finnish really know how to celebrate Christmas. It's in Rovaniemi, Finland near the Arctic Circle in the Finnish Province of Lapland where somebody famous resides, SANTA CLAUS.

Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus. Visiting and spending time in the happiest country in the world makes for an exceptional Christmas present.

Santa Claus can be visited everyday of the year in Rovaniemi in Santa Claus village but December is the most magical time to see him in person.

To make your visit to Rovaniemi, Finland extra special stay at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, a world of Glass Igloos, Midnight Sun, Northern Lights and other treasures.

KAKSLAUTTANEAN ARCTIC RESORT

kakslauttanen.fi

JOULUKUUSI:

1) your December
2) your Christmas moon
3) Christmas six
4) Christmas spruce

A Christmas tree is selected in the forest where trees grow and brought to the Finnish home to be decorated. It is a tradition to eat rice porridge at Christmas, watch a broadcast of "Snowman,"enjoy the sauna, and have a bountiful Christmas dinner. Santa Claus visits each home and comes through the doors with gifts.

JOULURAUHA means Christmas peace.

There's so much to eat during the Christmas feast in Finland. The Finnish enjoy all kinds of traditional dishes.

RICE PORRIDGE:

Ingredients:

1 cup of uncooked white rice
2 tbsp unsalted butter
4-5 cups of whole milk
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup heavy cream
3 tsp of cinnamon, nutmeg, or ground cardamom
Sliced almonds

Cook the rice over medium high heat, in a medium saucepan filled with an equivalent amount of water so that the water is barely covering the rice. Add butter and bring to a boil, stirring frequently.Add half the milk, and let cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until all the milk is absorbed.

Add the rest of the milk (2 cups to the saucepan) and continue to cook over medium heat. Keep cooking until the rice thickens and achieves a creamy appearance. Now you can put the heavy cream into the saucepan to make the rice even creamier.

Add salt and remove porridge from heat.

Sprinkle your choice of spices on top of the porridge and some sliced almonds.
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The Finns have a tradition of placing one single almond in an entire pot of rice porridge.
Whoever happens to receive the almond in their bowl will have very good luck the following year!