People in Estonia do not roast a turkey for Christmas or any other time of year for that matter. The only crackers known in Eesti are the thin, crisp biscuits, known as a kreeker and fireworks known as ilu/tulestik, tulevärk and individually sometimes as a rakett.
As I've seen in other people's photos, Christmas crackers, first conceived in London in 1846, usually contain a paper crown. Estonians, especially on the country's western coast, have traditionally made crowns to hang above their heads, literally from the ceiling. They are thought to have been inspired by chandeliers (lühter or KROON/lühter) in churches and mõisad (manor houses). Made from pilliroog (reeds) or straw (õled), they are part of a larger Scandinavian tradition of making Christms decorations out of straw.
Many have no doubt seen jõulu/sokud or Yule goats, called jul/bock in Swedish, at Ikea stores. (Here's the perfect moment to point out the linguistic pattern JUL > YULE > JÕUL!) Small Christmas tree ornaments made of straw are also a staple in Scandinavia and Swedes lived on Estonia's eastern coast for centuries.
Riina Kindlam, Tallinn
