If you live in Finland you soon learn that this is the country where Santa Claus lives. There is some controversy about this subject though, because many people outside Finland think Santa Claus lives in the North Pole. Not Finns, for them Santa Claus lives right here in this country. Maybe that's why they are so crazy about Christmas. The last weeks I've had 'pikkujoulut' (Christmas parties) and I went to different Christmas markets. The nicest Christmas market in the city is definitely the one in Senaatintori.
Vendors on this market sell all kinds of stuff. Homemade items, like knitwear, leather gloves, candles, and cookies and bread. There's even a blacksmith! But you can also find vendors that sell well known Finnish brands.
There's also a carrousel for the kids. Or if you're young at heart... Because in this picture the only ones riding the carrousel are two grown up men. Completely normal here in Finland of course. Or maybe they had kids with them but you can't see them in this picture.
The yellow building in the background is part of my university. All my lectures are in that building. I went to this Christmas market between two lectures. Isn't it amazing to be able to do that?
Another great Christmas market in Helsinki is at the Cable Factory. There you can buy all kinds of handmade stuff. I didn't take any pictures there because it's inside and although the vendors sell great things the atmosphere isn't as nice as above.
Another great Christmas market in Helsinki is at the Cable Factory. There you can buy all kinds of handmade stuff. I didn't take any pictures there because it's inside and although the vendors sell great things the atmosphere isn't as nice as above.