Valentine’s Day in Finland? Unlike many Western countries, where Valentine’s Day traditions date back centuries, Ystävänpäivä, or Friend’s Day, is a relatively young celebration in Finland.
Forget candlelit dinners and heart-shaped chocolates—in Finland, Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance. Here, it’s called Ystävänpäivä, or Friend’s Day, because what’s love if not one of the best friendships? And if it’s “just” a friend? Well, friends should be loved as much as oneself. Right?
But don’t worry, romance isn’t entirely off the table — it just shares the spotlight with the wonderful chaos of friendship.
Unlike many Western countries, where Valentine’s Day traditions date back centuries, Ystävänpäivä is a relatively young celebration in Finland. It first made its way into Finnish culture in the 1980s and officially landed in Finnish calendars in 1996. Though, in true Finnish fashion, it was accidentally added a few years earlier in 1990 and 1991 — because why wait for official approval when you can just go for it?
The idea of a day dedicated to friendship was first introduced by the Tampere Heart Association in 1979. They cleverly incorporated the red heart symbol — a global sign of love — into their marketing, and with the help of the Finnish Red Cross printing Finland’s very first Ystävänpäivä cards, the holiday quickly took off.
Well, not quite. But Ystävänpäivä is the second most popular day for sending cards in Finland, right after Christmas. Whether it’s a heartfelt message to a best friend, a cute doodle for a coworker, or a not-so-subtle hint to a crush, Finns love putting their feelings on paper.
And while traditional Valentine’s Day gifts like chocolates and flowers are definitely around, gift-giving has been growing year by year. Whether it’s a cozy coffee date, a surprise sauna visit, or a little something sweet, Finns know how to make their friends (and lovers) feel appreciated.
Simple. Send a card, meet a friend, enjoy some pulla (cinnamon buns) and coffee, and just appreciate the people in your life. And if love is in the air? Well, that’s just an added bonus. 💙
