vällisiä

Vällisiä is a traditional Finnish holiday celebrated on the evening of January 5th, marking the final night of the Christmas season before the start of the New Year. The name derives from the Finnish word "välli," which refers to the period between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, often associated with the lingering spirit of the Christmas season.

The celebration typically involves a festive gathering where friends and family come together to enjoy food, drinks, and music. Unlike Christmas, which is a family-oriented holiday, vällisiä is more social and communal, often featuring a relaxed atmosphere. Common activities include sharing stories, playing games, and indulging in seasonal treats such as *joulutorttu* (Christmas cake) or *glögi* (mulled wine).

The tradition has roots in pre-Christian Finnish folklore, where the evening was believed to be a time when the boundary between the living and the spirit world was thin. Some older customs included leaving out food for spirits or animals as a gesture of gratitude. Today, while many of these superstitions have faded, the spirit of camaraderie and celebration remains central to the occasion.

Vällisiä is particularly popular in rural and northern Finnish communities, where it serves as a bridge between the festive season and the long, dark winter months ahead. The holiday is also an opportunity to reflect on the past year and look forward to the new one with optimism.