Picture - Father Christmas on His Way to Helsinki - by Nigel A JAMES
Paula Korhonen and a Finish Family Tradition.
Christmas
trees are a big part of Christmas. They turn our flats and our
houses into places of Christmassy peace and goodwill. And, bringing
home a tree is the same as inviting a good friend to stay. Without
them, Christmas would not be the same. Together, we adorn our trees
with candles and balls and other beautiful things; and, around them
we lay brightly wrapped gifts and enjoy the singing of nice Christmas
songs. Our trees then become a very big part of our meaning of
Christmas. A family occasion.
But, there
is one Christmas tree that is different. It's in Finland and belongs
to Paula Korhonen. And, Paula's Christmas tree is not only decorated
with balls, candles, and chains, it's covered with family history as
well. And, this is a tradition that goes back a very long way.
The
decorations on Paula's tree were made not only by herself, but her
grandmother, her mother, her daughter, and, now, even her
granddaughter as well. And, these decorations were all made at
school and all very simple.
And, this
wonderful collection shows not only bright decorations, it shows
changes as well.
The first
decorations, made by Paula's grandmother, were made out of cardboard
and ribbons, then, along the way came bottle-tops, silver paper,
matchsticks, and everything else one can think of as well. And,
interestingly, the last decorations to arrive started life as
aluminium capsules for coffee. Now, they are beautiful stars.
Industrial rubbish had become very colourful. Finland, like the rest
of the world, is changing as well.
But,
hopefully, Paula Korhonen's family tradition won't change at all.
This Christmassy Finnish family tradition is not only unique, it's
also a chain that connects generations.
And, this is
something you could do, too. Trees will always be part of our
Christmas. Why not make your Christmas tree a family tree, too?
Your grandchildren's children, I'm sure, will not only be thankful,
but happy to pass on this tradition to their children as well.
Christmas
has always been family. And, Paula Korhonen is keeping a tradition
alive that has been in her family for a very long time. Decorations
that have come in from the past and are on their way into the future
as well. Christmas trees are beautiful things – they are the past,
the present and future of Christmas.
Paula
Korhonen and a Finish Family Tradition.
Father Christmas in Finland - by Nigel A JAMES
Father Christmas in Finland - by Nigel A JAMES
