How to Celebrate a Swiss Christmas
Snowy winters in Switzerland made travel between villages difficult in the past, so some Christmas traditions have taken on unique regional variations.
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Instructions
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1
Celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas on December 6.
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Walk with the men in the village of Kussnacht on their annual parade through the streets. The men wear large cardboard headpieces (called "miters") illuminated with candles to accompany St. Nicholas.
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3
Watch the children of Glarnerland march through the town ringing bells to solicit food and drinks from households they pass on St. Nicholas Day.
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4
Participate in a local parade on St. Lucia Day, December 13. This important holiday commemorates a young girl in Rome who refused to give up her religion and as a result was killed by soldiers.
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5
Expect young carolers to come to your home and serenade you in exchange for food or small gifts. They may sing in Swiss-German, French or Italian.
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6
Go to the village of Ziefen to watch bachelors walk through the streets on Christmas Eve, with the tallest man leading the way. He will wear a white beard and carry a long pole with a soot-covered rag attached.
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7
Ring bells to announce the arrival of Christ Kindli, an angel who wears a white veil and a jeweled crown. She is sent down from the heavens to bring gifts.
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8
Light candles on your Christmas tree to signify her entrance into the room.
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9
Prepare "ringli," or homemade doughnuts, and hot chocolate to serve after the Christmas Eve church service.
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Tips & Warnings
Neighboring villages today compete to see who can ring the bells the loudest to call people to church.
Indulge in Swiss chocolate during the holiday season or give some as a gift.
Switzerland is a country with several cultural influences, so its Christmas traditions are quite diverse and cannot be generalized. The above steps represent a few local traditions that may or may not be appropriate for your celebration.
