At Christmas, many people get to slow down and relax, but the holidays do not mean rest or festivities to everyone. A crisis worker, a paramedic supervisor and a library worker recount what it is like to be working while others are enjoying time off. The city serves its residents at Christmas as well.
My work involves supporting people who are experiencing traumatic crises. For example, I encounter people who have suddenly lost a loved one or are victims of domestic violence.
At Christmas, our duties are largely the same: we provide the same services every day of the year. But then again, the time after Christmas may be busier for us due to people needing support to get through crises that occurred during the holidays.
We rarely deal with happy things in this line of work, but time after time I find myself amazed by what kinds of things people are able to get through.
For many, Christmas means joy and togetherness, but for others, it entails difficult and painful things. Not everyone’s home is filled with the peace of Christmas. For example, the first Christmas after the death of a loved one may be difficult. It feels great to be able to take my time to be present for someone in that kind of a situation, and sometimes people even say “thank you, this makes me feel better.”
The best thing about working at Christmas is the atmosphere. We have a tradition in which the night shift gets Christmas food for the others the first night, and the second night we make rice porridge. The most challenging thing is that even if I myself am feeling the Christmas spirit, the job may suddenly make me come across very sad things.
To those for whom Christmas is a difficult period, I wish you a great deal of strength and would like to remind you that we are here to help every day of the year.
I have been doing three-shift work for so long that I do not have any regular Christmas traditions. I feel sincere joy and warmth about being able to be flexible so that others can spend Christmas with their families.
For my part, I would like to wish a merry and peaceful Christmas to all for whom it is possible. To those for whom Christmas is a difficult period, I wish you a great deal of strength and would like to remind you that we are here to help every day of the year.
I work as a paramedic supervisor at the Kallio Central Recue Station. During a paramedic field manager shift I make sure that ambulances are sent to the right places and people receive the right kind of help. If necessary, I will take a ride with the field management unit and join in on the job.
For us, it is very common to be working while the rest of society is enjoying the holidays, and our work duties are the same as always. Here, the line between everyday life and the holidays is blurred in a different way to in other lines of work.
However, when I am on the job, I notice that it is Christmas from people being calmer and more present. Of course, there are also more Santa Clauses out and about than normally.
I am not much of a Christmas person, so working at Christmas is not a problem for me. This Christmas, I will be having days off with my family. I am looking forward to eating my mother’s swede casserole.
My message to the people of Helsinki is: spend time with your loved ones, take it easy and enjoy Christmas.
Of course, there are also more Santa Clauses out and about than normally.
The Christmas season often means rest and relaxation. Some of us are working at Christmas so that the City’s basic functions keep running and everyone can spend Christmas as they see fit. One such place is the library. It is a tradition for the doors of the libraries of Kallio, Rikhardinkatu and Itäkeskus to be open on Christmas Eve as well.
Christmas celebrations highlight communality and the importance of family. I know that for some people, the holidays can feel lonely, or spending Christmas at home does not feel right. The library provides an alternative. With us, you can find the Christmas atmosphere in a variety of ways: by delving into new story worlds, being alone together or just sitting around and taking in the atmosphere. You can make visiting the library on Christmas Eve your own tradition.
The library also provides a break from busy Christmas preparations. For example, the libraries enable the young people of the family to get some space and distance themselves from the bustle of Christmas Eve.
The libraries have their own unique ambiance, and they share a warm and inviting atmosphere. I hope that the libraries open on Christmas Eve give people peace and space to enjoy the spirit of the holiday.
With us, you can find the Christmas atmosphere in a variety of ways: by delving into new story worlds, being alone together or just sitting around and taking in the atmosphere. You can make visiting the library on Christmas Eve your own tradition.
The library staff will also be happy to give recommendations for book presents and Christmas time reading moments. We will gladly help you find suitable books for children and adults alike.
I am immensely proud of our staff. Without their ideas and willingness to work on Christmas Eve, we would not be able to be open at Christmas. You are invited to come and create your own memories at the Christmas libraries of Helsinki! We have glögg, too.
