In Finland, the Christmas tree is decorated on Christmas Eve, with candles, apples, sweets, paper flags, cotton and tinsel. And in the garden, a sheaf of corn is tied to a pole, along with seeds and nuts for the birds

The Christmas festivities are preceded by a sauna, then everyone dresses in clean clothes in preparation for the Christmas dinner which is served between 5 - 7  in the evening.

The main dish is boiled cod, served with boiled potatoes and cream sauce. Also on the menu is roast suckling pig, roasted fresh ham and vegetables.

Christmas gifts are given out either before or after dinner. The children do not hang up stockings, however, Santa Claus comes in person, often accompanied by  six Christmas elves to help him give out   the presents.

After dinner the children go to bed while the adults stay up to chat with visitors and drink coffee until about midnight.

Christmas Day services begin at six in the morning. After Church, the rest of the day is spent visiting   family and friends.

In some parts of Finland, the Star Boys tour the countryside singing Christmas songs, and collect money  for the poor and various charities.