Hundreds of years ago in Lapland, a little boy named Nikolas loses his family in an accident. The villagers decide to look after the orphaned boy together. Once a year - at Christmas - Nikolas moves to a new home. To show his gratitude, Nikolas decides to make toys for the children of the families as good-bye presents. Over the years, Nikolas's former adoptive families become many, and soon almost every house has presents on its doorstep on Christmas morning. At thirteen, Nikolas is sent to live and work with Iisakki, a grumpy old carpenter, who forbids Nikolas to continue making presents for Christmas. Gradually, however, Nikolas wins Iisakki's trust. Together they begin to look after the Christmas traditional that Nikolas has begun. When the aged Iisakki has to leave Nikolas and move away, the tradition of Christmas presents is once again at risk. Thankfully, Nikolas comes up with a solution that brings children joy every Christmas, even continuing to today.
Production
Lapland locations so authentic you'll feel the frost
Acting
Kari Väänänen's grumpy Iisakki melts perfectly
Costume
Nikolas's evolution into iconic red unfolds naturally
Director
Juha Wuolijoki
Hannu-Pekka Björkman
Nikolas
Otto Gustavsson
Nikolas 13-vuotiaana
Jonas Rinne
Nikolas 7-vuotiaana
Kari Väänänen
Iisakki
Minna Haapkylä
Kristiina
Mikko Leppilampi
Hannus
Mikko Kouki
Eemeli
Laura Birn
Aada
Matti Ristinen
Einari
Antti Tuisku
Mikko
Eeva Soivio
Aleksandra
Pirjo Leppänen
Hilla
Saara Pakkasvirta
Meeri
Ville Virtanen
Henrik
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This Finnish production predates the Hollywood Santa origin obsession by years, drawing from Nordic joulupukki folklore rather than Coca-Cola mythology.
The film quietly argues that Santa's gift-giving began as trauma response—an orphan literally buying love to ensure he wouldn't be abandoned again.
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