Radio | News week in plain Finnish | Saturday 13.12.2025

Christmas party

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Little Christmas

The topic of this week’s news is Christmas Eve.

At this time of year, many companies and groups of friends celebrate Christmas. People gather at restaurants, for example, to eat and drink.

We will now tell you what kind of traditions there are for Christmas Eve. We will also tell you how Christmas Eve will be celebrated this year.

The history of Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was celebrated in Finland for the first time at the beginning of the 20th century. Christmas Eve came to Finland from Sweden. Christmas Eve was first celebrated in Finland by university students. Christmas Eve was previously called a porridge party, because porridge was often eaten on Christmas Eve. Porridge was a festive food.

Companies began celebrating Christmas parties in the 1930s. By the 1950s, many companies were already celebrating Christmas parties. Later, groups of friends and hobby groups also began celebrating Christmas parties.

Christmas Eve is usually celebrated at the end of November or during December. It is intended to be a cheerful and informal celebration, held when it is dark outside.

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Photo: Museum of Central Finland

Christmas Eve in restaurants

Nowadays, Christmas Eve is often celebrated in restaurants. Christmas Eve is important for restaurants because companies and people who celebrate Christmas Eve spend a lot of money in restaurants.

Restaurants believe that this year companies will spend less money on Christmas Eve than last year. The reason is that companies want to save money. Many companies are in a bad financial situation. There are also many unemployed people.

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Photo: Heini Holopainen / Yle

A changed Christmas

Christmas Eve is celebrated more peacefully these days than before. Less alcohol is consumed on Christmas Eve than in the past.

Many companies also celebrate Christmas in places other than restaurants. For example, Christmas is celebrated at the theater or with sports. Companies want to organize a Christmas that increases the well-being of their employees.

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Photo: Dance Sports Club Dance Flow

Repetition

The topic of the news week was a mini Christmas.

Christmas Eve was first celebrated in Finland in the early 1900s. At first, Christmas Eve was a student celebration. Now, for example, many companies celebrate Christmas Eve. People who celebrate Christmas Eve bring a lot of money to restaurants. Christmas Eve is often celebrated more peacefully than in previous years.

Newsweek again tomorrow, Sunday. See you again, stay tuned!