Rantakatu street 9, Vihernikkari, Pohde, Greenhouse
Christmas without a Christmas tree – an impossible idea. The Christmas tree is a familiar symbol of Christmas for all of us. More important to some than others. A fragrant real tree or a plastic one?
Christmas without a Christmas tree – an impossible idea. The Christmas tree is a familiar symbol of Christmas for all of us. For some, it is more important than for others. Some people like the scent of a real fir tree, while others are happy with an artificial one.
Although we live in a country of coniferous forests, Christmas trees were not first used in Finland, but in Germany. Aki Pulkkanen has researched the history of Christmas trees in his book Pohjolan Joulu (Christmas in the North). He writes: "In Protestant parts of Germany, especially among the upper classes, Christmas trees were already widely used in the 18th century."
A few years ago, a wonderful series about the life of Queen Victoria of Great Britain was shown on television. In one episode, her German husband, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg, brought a Christmas tree to the court. "From there, it slowly found its way first into the homes of the upper classes and wealthy merchants, and then into all London homes." This was in the 1840s.
According to the book Pohjolan Joulu (Christmas in the North), the first reliable information about Christmas trees in Finland comes from Baron Otto Wilhelm Klinckowström's Christmas celebrations. On December 8, 1829, he put up no fewer than eight Christmas trees in his home.
Small table trees were in fashion throughout the 19th century. In cramped apartments, the trees could be hung from the ceiling. Schools, city offices, companies, and parishes began to celebrate Christmas with Christmas trees.
Samuli Paulaharju writes in his book Wanha Raahe (Old Town Raahe) that Christmas trees stood in the halls of wealthy bourgeoisie and shone like trees of paradise. During the sailing ship era, Christmas trees were decorated with all kinds of paper decorations. Long strips of paper were hung around the tree so that candles could be placed in the holes at the top of the strips. Patterns cut from shiny paper purchased from Heickell's boutique were glued to the strips.
Undoubtedly, even in the small houses of Katinhäntä, Christmas trees were decorated with shiny paper from Heickell's shop, which cost three kopecks per sheet.
It was also customary to hang apples and candies on the Christmas tree. The candy maids of Raahe made paper-covered candies especially for this purpose. A piece of wood wrapped in old candy paper could be used as a Christmas tree decoration.
Raahe’s candy
"Before that, there were no Raahe-style feasts, weddings, funeral receptions, christenings, or other celebrations without kompiaiset. At weddings, up to five nails of makijaiset were negotiated. The candies were wrapped in crinkly paper and a glossy picture was glued on top.
Everyone folded the paper according to their own taste, but it had to be neat. Sometimes the candy maker would tease the recipient of the confectionery and slap a picture of a hen or a sheep on it.
Mrs. Stjernuddin bought Heickell's candy wrappers from a bookstore, along with pictures and small printed cards with verses on them. A verse suitable for the occasion complemented the candy. A wedding card might read, for example: "Joy is a natural need for people. Happiness is its innate companion." (From Pekan kulumilta)
The Christmas tree is built
In Finland, the first thing to be placed on the Christmas tree is usually the star on top. It reminds us of the star of Bethlehem, which showed the way to the wise men from the East.
From my own childhood, I remember that strips of paper were used to make ribbons that were wrapped around the branches of the Christmas tree. Small flags threaded onto ribbons were also popular. In elementary school, we made little elves out of wool yarn, which we then dug out of the attic year after year and hung on the tree.
Factory-made decorations and silver and gold ribbons in various designs are an easy option for busy decorators. Whether your favorite decorations are homemade or store-bought, the Christmas tree is an integral part of Finnish Christmas traditions.
Vihernikkari’s greenhouse
Vihernikkari's operators decorated this window. Vihernikkari workshop took over the greenhouse in 2003. The workshop will move to the school of Pitkänkari in January 2026. The greenhouse is owned by the city of Raahe, and the city's gardening department will take it over. The Vihernikkari's operators will continue to plant summer flowers as before, and cooperation with the city will continue in other ways as well. There is certainly no shortage of gardening work in Raahe. The office section of the greenhouse, which was built in 1936, got a new roof last year.
More information
Aki Pulkkanen: Pohjolan Joulu – perinteitä kekristä nuuttiin v. 2018
Samuli Paulaharju: Wanha Raahe
Kirsti Vähäkangas: Pekan kulumilta
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