Traditions.

I guess being a (major!) Christmas person, like me, it doesn't really matter in what part of the world you are during this time of year as long as you have your Christmas spirit within! My inner elf has already told me to bake an apple pie and cinnamon buns. They seemed to be highly appreciated but I guess you can never go wrong with home made baking :)

Apple pie before going in the oven.

Here on the Gold Coast you don't see a lot of signs of Christmas. Not just that it's summer here but the fact that hardly anyone have lights or candles in their windows, no door garlands, elves or stars. And the ones that do have some sort of decorations are just tacky. I mean, a pink, plastic, blinking reindeer "decoration" on the lawn in front of your house is more of a violation and hazard than a joyful, holiday spirit- bringing symbol. Or what about those multicolor tubes that blink according to your preferable rhythm? Oh DEER...Why do people want to overload their house with plastic crap that not only looks horrible but leaves a big footprint on mother nature and surprises you on the electricity bill...Oh DEER...

I've always been very traditional with my Christmas celebration and decorations. I don't mean I'm not open for new things but I think Christmas is one of the holidays that are suppose to be a bit "old school". For this I have my parents to thank, for they have always valued the traditions. As a kid Christmas was obviously all about getting presents, but looking back, I'm glad we always did all those traditional things that kept the spirit for all these years. About a week before Christmas me, dad and my bro Toffi walked to the local Christmas tree sales point to buy a the perfect tree. The tree was then decorated with decorations inherited from my late grandparents and the ones made by me and Toffi when we were kids. Year after year, no matter how broken they were we always had the same ones. In the morning of Christmas eve me, dad and Toffi always went to my grandparents graves in Malmi while mum stayed at home starting preparations for the Christmas dinner. We dressed up for dinner but then changed into something more comfortable for the rest of the evening. We would open presents one by one, eat chocolate, cheeses and nuts until we felt sick and sing along to the same carols we've heard for years. I cherish these memories.

During my lifetime I've spent a few Christmases abroad (without snow) but most of my holiday celebrations have been at home or up in Lapland in Finland. Being in Australia this Christmas is going to be very different for me, especially without my family. My family is going to be in 3 different countries this year. Feels weird even thinking about not spending Christmas with the closest people in my life. You will be missed <3
I got a very lovely surprise today as the postman brought a package adressed to me. Inside was a self-made Christmas calendar in fabric with 24 pockets all including a little present. Sent from the BEST MUM IN THE WORLD <3

It's 6th of December which means it's Finland's Independence day! I wish I could be back home to watch Linnanjuhlat (annual VIP party at the presidents castle) on TV just to comment on the do's and don'ts when it comes to dresses and hairstyles :D

Just because it's tradition.