Christmas has quickly come and passed here in Tartu, Estonia. During this holiday season, I have begun seeing many familiar sounds, smells, tastes, and colours which evoke nostalgia and signify Christmas time for me back in the USA. These familiarities started to make me think, “How similar is the Christmas holiday celebrated in Estonia compared to my home in the USA”? Having now celebrated a few Christmases here in Estonia over the past few years and holiday tidings all around, I decided to express my thoughts in this “Christmas Cultural Exchange.”
Atmosphere and Decorations
Normally, I tell when it is the holiday season, not from a calendar but from decorations covering the town and the inevitable transformation of all music to classic Christmas tunes and carols. This sentiment rings true for both Estonia and the USA. In both locations, come December the “christmasification” begins. Towns, shops, and residential homes put up their decorations and “deck their halls”. Similarly, it wouldn’t be Christmas without hearing Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” which I can assure you spans international borders. Even in Estonia, there is no escape. Additionally, there are many Estonian language covers of popular Christmas songs that can be heard everywhere in the USA.
Generally, my hometown near Chicago has comparable weather to Estonia. However, when wishing for a white Christmas it is seemingly much more likely to snow here in Estonia. In addition to a snowy atmosphere, the larger cities in Estonia have beautiful Christmas markets that feel much more traditional and themed than your average shopping location. In fact, the Tallinn Christmas market has been voted to be one of the best Christmas markets in Europe! However, Tartu’s Christmas market is magical as well!
Beyond the normal lights and baubles which seem to be Christmas staples everywhere, there is one peculiar decoration that always stuck out to me. This decoration is what I would describe as a “menorah” (though a little different), which is usually a decoration for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. However, in Estonia, these menorah-like decorations are everywhere! Apparently, this decoration is a German invention called Schwibbogen and is simply a type of candle holder that gained popularity in Estonia, and the tradition has been kept! Though, I still am reminded of a menorah every time I see them.
Traditions
One of my favourite Estonian Christmas traditions is “Päkapikk”, which is the Estonian version of Santa’s elves and resembles the American “elf on the shelf” or “St. Nicholas” traditions. Every night during the month of December, the Päkapikk visits every home placing treats and presents in the slippers of good boys and girls.
Another Fun tradition is that in order to receive your gifts from Santa, you must perform a poem or song for the group! The first time I attended an Estonian Christmas party this tradition took me off guard, and I was not prepared! I ended up singing some Christmas Carols with a few others at the party, but don’t make the same mistake as me and prepare a small poem or song for when it is time to exchange presents!
In my household growing up, we always had an artificial tree that we put up every year. While this is still common in Estonia, it is very common to source your own spruce tree from the forest! In fact, Estonia’s National Forest Government Department (RMK) has an app https://www.rmk.ee/kuuseke to guide you to your own forest spruce which you can cut yourself. Having a live tree that you cut yourself is certainly a festive tradition, but proper maintenance is required unless you want thousands of spruce needles littering your floor. I see the appeal, but I’ll keep my artificial tree and reuse it each year.
American Christmas movies often make an appearance here on Estonian TV channels and have become time-honoured traditions in many households. In my Estonian Girlfriend’s household, “Home Alone” is a favourite and is watched every year. It became a tradition because of how often the movie is played on Estonian TV.
20th Century Studios
Food
Food around Christmas time in Estonia is certainly unique. In the USA, a Christmas dinner usually consists of a Ham or Bird as the main dish and then many accompanying side dishes such as green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, stuffing, mac n cheese, and many more. An Estonian Christmas dinner, on the other hand, is headlined by “Verivorst” or Blood Sausage and accompanied by potatoes and an assortment of pickled and preserved vegetables and fruits. My favourite is pickled pumpkin! Other special Estonian Christmas-time offerings include “Glögg” which is a spiced mulled wine which is delicious and reminds me of the holidays upon first sip. Piparkook or Gingerbread is another abundant treat around the holidays in Estonia. It is similar to the gingerbread we have in the USA, but to me, it tastes spicey and has a bit of a harder texture.
Overall, Christmas time in Estonia is unique and full of exciting traditions, with each family having their own take on it. It is a time for family to gather and for everyone to enjoy the company of others. For me, Christmas in Estonia is always an exciting time, and I can’t wait to do it all again next year!
