The 2025 holiday season highlights a persistent tension: while the cultural ideal is "Christmas Peace" (Joulurauha/Julefred), the reality remains a peak period for alcohol-related harm, domestic instability, and public safety challenges. The tradition of "Declaring Christmas Peace" remains the central civic ritual of the season, serving as the official demarcation line between the chaos of preparation (and the "Little Christmas" party season) and the enforced stillness of the holiday proper. In December 2025, this tradition was upheld with rigorous formality, serving as a stark counter-narrative to the police reports that would follow hours later. In **Finland** , the City of Turku continued its role as the custodian of this tradition. On Christmas Eve, 2025, at exactly 12:00 noon, the Declaration of Christmas Peace was read at the Old Great Square. https://www.joulukaupunkiturku.fi/en/finlands-turku-declares-christmas-peace/ The text, a 19th-century transcription of a medieval statute, was delivered in both Finnish and Swedish. It serves as a performative speech act; by reading the words, the city officials effectively "create" the peace. The declaration admonishes citizens to behave "quietly and peacefully," warning that those who break the peace - historically through violence or drunken disorder - would face aggravating circumstances. A parallel and equally significant observance occurred in **Estonia** , highlighting the shared Hanseatic and Swedish legal heritage of the region. On December 24, 2025, Christmas Peace was proclaimed in the capital, **Tallinn** , by Mayor Peeter Raudsepp from the window of the Town Hall. https://news.err.ee/1609894037/christmas-peace-to-be-declared-in-tallinn-and-tartu-on-wednesday The lineage of this custom in Estonia is directly traced to the 17th-century reign of Queen Christina of Sweden, creating a historical bridge between the nations. **Sweden: Addressing High Intoxication Perceptions** * **Systembolaget Survey:** A new survey reveals that **79% of Swedes** believe it is common for adults to drink to intoxication around children during Christmas. This highlights a significant gap between the "family holiday" ideal and reality. https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/ahead-of-christmas-8-in-10-see-intoxication-around-children * **Nationwide Action:** To counter this, the **"Vit Jul" (White Christmas)** campaign is hosting over **200 alcohol-free activities** across Sweden, providing safe environments for youth when they need them most. https://drugnews.se/2025/12/01/200-vit-jul-aktiviteter-for-barn-och-unga-i-hela-sverige/ * **Local Initiatives:** In Robertsfors, organizations like **IOGT-NTO and the Scouts** are actively creating "safe harbors" through sober events like holiday discos, emphasizing that Christmas should belong to the children.****https://www.mellanbygden.nu/2025-12-18/de-jobbar-for-en-alkoholfri-jul-d1e66 **** **Norway: Concerns in Homes and Workplaces** * **Child Safety in Buskerud:** An Ipsos survey for **Av-og-til** shows that **one in three residents** in Buskerud has witnessed intoxicated adults with children during the last two holiday seasons. https://www.eikernytt.no/2025/12/21/en-av-tre-i-buskerud-har-sett-berusede-voksne-sammen-med-barn-i-jula/ * **The Workplace Culture:** A national survey on the traditional **"julebord"** (Christmas parties) found that **55% of Norwegians** feel the alcohol level is too high, with 60% reporting they have seen colleagues or leaders over-intoxicated.****https://www.dagsavisen.no/nyheter/derfor-skiller-julebordet-seg-ut/10097412 **** **Estonia: Combating Risky Behavior** * **"Black Christmas Cards":** The Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) sent **880 black cards** to the country's most dangerous repeat traffic offenders. This 15-year tradition aims to force reflection on the "mark" these drivers leave on society. https://news.err.ee/1609889512/estonia-s-police-send-black-christmas-cards-to-over-800-dangerous-drivers **"Gift the Child a Sober Christmas":** National health and police officials are urging parents to prioritize stability, noting that **domestic conflict calls involving children** and alcohol-related EMO visits spike during the long holiday weekends. https://etakoda.ee/kained-joulud/index.html **Finland: Breaking the Silence** * **"Anna lapselle raitis joulu":** The **Raittiuden Ystävät** campaign highlights that **1 in 10 Finnish children** live in homes where alcohol use is excessive. The initiative focuses on the fact that even small changes in adult behavior can break a child’s sense of security. https://www.annalapselleraitisjoulu.fi/ **** **Denmark: Support During Family Festivities** * **The Helpline is Open:** **Alkohol & Samfund** reports that **one in ten Danes** believes too much alcohol is consumed at family Christmas lunches. Their national helpline, **Alkolinjen** , remains open throughout the holidays to support the **26% of Danes** who feel nervous about a relative’s drinking ruining the atmosphere. https://alkohologsamfund.dk/nyheder/alkolinjen-holder-aabent-i-juledagene-hver-tiende-synes-der-bliver-drukket-for-meget-til **** **Lithuania: Policy Progress and Individual Risks** * **Memories vs. Reality:** Child rights defenders are calling for a **"sober balance,"** reminding parents that children’s holiday memories are shaped by the emotional safety adults provide. https://vaikoteises.lrv.lt/lt/naujienos/vaiko-teisiu-gynejai-primena-vaikams-kurkime-saugias-kaledas-fBZ/ * **Consumption Trends:** While **OECD 2025 data** shows Lithuania's annual consumption has dropped to 11L per capita (a 32% decrease over a decade), health experts warn that holiday "binge" drinking remains a high-risk factor for poisoning and long-term health issues. https://aina.lt/skaudzios-alkoholio-vartojimo-pasekmes-per-sventes-nedarykite-siu-klaidu/

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