The TV couple Rita Niemi-Manninen, 45, and Aki Manninen, 49, are now talking about their Christmas celebration, which includes respecting traditions and surprises. At Christmas, we taste a special delicacy that is not on many people’s Christmas tables.
Well-being coaches known from TV Rita Niemi-Manninen and Aki Manninen will celebrate Christmas this year with the tactic of two homes.
If last Christmas life threw one adversity after another and the family got stuck in Mexico, this year we will enjoy the time spent with loved ones in Finland.
– On Christmas, we are on the island, and my mother comes to eat with us, and on Christmas day we see Rita’s mother, sister and friends in Lempäälä, Aki Manninen tells Iltalehti.
Rita and Aki Manninen tell Iltalehte about their Christmas party. Rosa Bröijer
Family Christmas is crowned by the eyeball that came to its new home in the fall: the lively Pomo puppy, who has tried both Manninen’s three-ton board and Rita’s winter ankle boots with his teeth.
– I think you can’t put gift packages under the tree too early, Rita laughs.
– The boss also had time to break the crocs brought to Donna from Singapore, he laments.
The couple suspects that not all the bad things the XL Bully puppy has done have been seen yet.
Rita and Aki spend Christmas with daughter Donna and dog Pomo in two homes. Rosa Bröijer
Gift contract
Every year, Christmas presents cause a kind of tug of the cat’s tail for the couple.
– We have agreed among ourselves that we will not buy anything from anyone. We give the needy what we would put in our own family’s gifts, Aki explains.
– Nothing else is needed but a good mood, food and the presence of the family.
The only problem is that Rita has broken this contract every year.
– I’ve been sad about it, says Aki.
– I have nothing for him, except to give a warm hand.
Rita laughs.
– You could see Aki’s expression when he gets that one package and looks at me in disbelief. I just innocently stated that this is what happened here.
The wife refuses to reveal whether the fault has occurred this year.
Rita surprises Aki at Christmas. Rosa Bröijer
Both agree that the essence of Christmas is not in materialism, but in sharing good cheer. Five-year-old Donna has made Christmas candles and beautiful paintings in the hills of her happiness with Aki, which are given as gifts to the closest family members.
– They are really beautiful and great, Rita praises.
– For me, the best gifts are the ones I make myself, he says and recalls that one year he received Christmas caramels from his sister, and delicious island bread from his cousin.
They have made me feel good.
With the help of her father, Donna wrote a letter to the goat. Its content is touchingly straightforward:
– A pile of play slime and a pile of soft toys. That’s it. The wishes are still quite modest, Rita smiles.
Donna’s daughter sent affectionate gift wishes to Santa Claus. Rosa Bröijer
A special Christmas treat
Treats are enjoyed in moderation at Manninen’s Christmas table. Nothing is refused, and everything is tasted.
– Our Christmas table shows the Finnish tradition with its strong flavors, aromas and delicacies, says Aki.
In addition to boxes and ham, their Christmas table includes one special thing: Aki’s mother’s cabbage-grape-leek salad, which is crowned by the salad dressing she made.
– I got to know this delicacy when I started dating Aki, Rita says.
According to Rita, cabbage is grated into strips, and two types of grapes and leek are added to it. Bebiina Manninen with the salad dressing made with a secret recipe, the whole is, according to Rita, “amazing”.
– This is what we’ve been doing with ham late at night. It’s so good!
In addition to decorations, Manninen’s Christmas includes delicious Christmas food. Rosa Bröijer
Well-being coaches who share lifestyle change coaching as their job feel that it is appropriate to eat well at Christmas. It is also good for the mind.
– It’s not worth thinking about whether there will be a few Christmas kilos here, instructs Rita.
Both are aware that it’s true that sugary and creamy carbohydrate-rich snacks may accumulate fluid in the body, but they wouldn’t worry about that.
– Nothing irreversible will happen. It matters more what you eat between New Year and Christmas than what you eat between Christmas and New Year!
– Our message to the people of Finland is that even at Christmas you can enjoy everything in moderation. It’s not worth straining, and it’s good to drink enough liquid to keep your metabolism working. Besides, it can be moved a little.
According to them, outdoor activities and exercise also help with Christmas swelling. The family plans to go out together at Christmas time.
– Of course we hope for a snowy Christmas. It would be great to visit Yyteri pulkkamäki in Pori. And I’ll probably go to the gym after eating for a couple of days, says Rita.
Aki says that he notices from the twitching of Rita’s face when it’s time for her to let off steam in the gym.
– I’m more kind to myself. He’s a competitive athlete, and I’m a normal person, Aki tells his wife.
For Aki Manninen, the most important thing when celebrating Christmas is family togetherness. Rosa Bröijer
Different traditions
Christmas has already arrived at the couple’s Lempäälän house well in time. Since November, there has been a giant Christmas tree decorating the living room.
There will be two smaller moons in the living room of the Porin archipelago home.
Aki doesn’t participate in the Christmas party, but lets Rita have a good time.
– This difference between us probably goes back to childhood. My mother always created a full Christmas fairy tale home for us, when Rita’s house was decorated with a yucca palm for the eve, she says.
– I don’t need anything overshooting, because I’ve had the chance to experience it.
On the other hand, Rita, who spent more uneventful childhood Christmases, enjoys being able to put up and decorate two homes to her heart’s content.
After ten years of union, both believe that diversity is wealth. During the past year, they have consciously updated their love relationship, faced a crisis and come out victorious.
– We live this family life one day at a time. Our relationship is on a strong foundation, and we are moving forward despite the difficulties. At the moment, it feels really good to be together, the couple says.
The Mannises plan to spend the New Year peacefully with their daughter and puppy.
– This is Pomo’s first New Year. I bet he’s not the most nervous guy when the rockets start going off. We haven’t fired rockets for years because of our dogs. Let’s see if a couple of friends can come up with a night out together this year, they are planning.
The Mannites feel that their relationship has become stronger through the perceived difficulties. Rosa Bröijer