Our beloved Aunt Sirpa celebrated a milestone birthday shortly after the middle of July. What better reason could there be to gather the whole family for a summer celebration around her birthday? The concept is not entirely new in our family. In fact, summer gatherings have often been arranged specifically around Sirpa’s birthday. Many people are on summer holiday at that time, and, by the day of the celebration, the snow has usually managed to melt as well.

The celebration has been held many times before at Grandma’s house in Impiö, but this was the first time at Mattilan talo. The house and the yard were the same as always, of course, but this time I had the pleasure of hosting the event in my role as the owner of a guesthouse and event venue.

Well, I probably shouldn’t brag too much of that hostess role. The celebration was organized the same way it always has been: together. Our WhatsApp group was buzzing when my other aunt, Kaarina, started coordinating the catering and RSVPs together with Sirpa. The menu gradually took shape into something that made you hungry every time you opened the group chat. More and more people were added to the group as enthusiasm for preparing food began to spread.

Juhlapäiväksi valikoitui sunnuntai 19.7.2026. Edeltävästä torstaista alkaen Mattilaan alkoi saapua majoittujia: minun kumpikin siskoni puolisoineen, perheineen ja koirineen sekä omat tyttäreni (sekä toisen poikaystävä) ja Kaarina-täti miehensä kanssa. Lauantaiaamuna majataloaamiaisen jälkeen alkoi juhlien valmistelu. Koska Mattila on Kaarinan ja Sirpan sekä siskojeni entinen koti, kaikki sujui aivan kuin ennen vanhaan. Mattila täyttyi iloisesta hyörinästä ja pyörinästä, naurusta ja kiljahtelusta, imurin hurinasta ja vatkainten surrauksesta. Lauantaina saapui vielä lisää majoittujia. Porukalla laitettiin pystyyn mm. trampoliini pienempien juhlavieraiden iloksi. Mikään ei ole yhtä riemukasta kuin trampoliinin kokoaminen tutulla porukalla, joista osaa on nähnyt edellisen kerran vuosikymmeniä sitten, mutta tuttuakin tutumpi inttäminen ja kevyt keljuilu lämmittivät myös vierestä seuraavan, ulkosaunaa lämmittävän majatalon emännän sydäntä. (Eli minun, jonka ei kuulemma tarvinnut katsoa, neuvoa eikä kommentoida tekemistä.) Lämpö täytti sydämeni. Nämä ovat minun heimoani.

On the morning of the celebration, empowered by the successful trampoline assembly, the men quickly put up the party tents in the yard. Soon the lawn was filled with delightfully mismatched table groups in every imaginable style. Inside the Pirtti, the long festive buffet began to take shape, and what a magnificent sight it was. In the traditional style of Impiö gatherings, the table groaned under countless delicacies, both savoury and sweet.

Guests started arriving at eleven o’clock. We had already been given permission, and even encouragement, to park cars in the neighbour’s yard across the road. The additional parking space was certainly needed, as nearly one hundred guests attended the celebration. From the long buffet table in the Pirtti, people filled their plates with delicious treats. Outside, beneath the party tents, we had set up a drinks station where a large coffee maker produced fresh coffee almost continuously, while beautiful beverage dispensers offered juice and homemade (non-alcoholic) beer brewed by Mattila’s Tintti.

Sirpa had ordered good weather for the day, and once again her order had been delivered perfectly. The sun was shining, and a slight coolness in the air made sitting outdoors especially pleasant. Happy conversation filled both the yard and the Pirtti. People played Mölkky, threw darts, passed a volleyball around, and bounced on the trampoline. We enjoyed good food, caught up on each other’s lives, and simply savoured a relaxed summer day together.

Later, we all gathered in the Pirtti to enjoy a succession of wonderful performances. There were speeches, poetry recitations, instrumental music, and singing. Being a musical family, we naturally ended up singing together as well, and the Pirtti echoed with joyful voices.

The video below offers a small taste of the beautiful Italian song Torna a Surriento, performed by the outstanding tenor Heikki Rainio.

So yes, Mattilan talo is perfectly suited for larger celebrations too, especially during the summer months when the yard can serve as a natural extension of the event space. Should the weather turn rainy, tables can easily be moved into the barn, where guests can enjoy its wonderfully gritty farmhouse charm. So, when you start planning your next celebration, be sure to keep Mattilan talo in mind and do not hesitate to contact me!

Tintti