Christmas in Switzerland
Continuing our journey through Christmas Around the World, we landed in Switzerland—a country that truly embodies the magic of Christmas with its distinctive traditions and vibrant community celebrations. There was so much to explore and celebrate that we hardly had time to get to everything!
One standout tradition is Adventsfenster, a captivating take on the advent calendar where families and businesses showcase elaborate displays in their windows throughout December. Each day, a new display is unveiled, turning the city into a festive wonderland of creativity and joy. Inspired by this tradition, we created our own family Adventfenster window display, adding a personal touch to our Swiss Christmas experience that the rest of the neighborhood can enjoy the rest of the year.
Another highlight was the Rabechilibi turnip festival, reminiscent of Halloween pumpkin carving but uniquely Swiss. We joined in the fun by carving holiday-themed turnip lanterns, immersing ourselves in this playful and artistic tradition.
The Klausjagen, or Nicholas Chase, left us in awe with its grand procession of men cracking whips and carrying massive cow bells. The towering paper hats illuminated like stained glass windows added a magical touch to the festivities. We couldn’t resist trying our hand at crafting these enchanting lantern hats. We weren’t quite as successful, but we sure had a lot of fun with it!
And who could forget the Silversterchlause celebration, a New Year’s Eve tradition dating back to 1663. Dressed in nature-inspired costumes, locals ring huge bells and sing slow yodels as they wish everyone a happy new year. We embraced this tradition wholeheartedly, donning our own impressive Silversterchlause costumes to join in the festive spirit with a quite amusing walk around the neighborhood.
Central to Swiss Christmas folklore is Samichlaus, the country’s Santa Claus figure rooted in the historical Saint Nicholas. On December 6th, St. Nicholas Day, Samichlaus visits children in canonical robes, bringing nuts, mandarins, cookies, gingerbreads, and chocolates. Accompanying Samichlaus is Schmutzli, who is a the alter-ego of the benevolent Samichlaus. Schmutzli is ressed in a long dark robe with shaggy dark hair and carries around a broom, a whip, and a large sack with him as a thread to kidnap or punish misbehaving kids. One final fun fact: Samichlause and Schmutzli don’t travel by sleigh. Oh no! Instead, they arrive by pulling a donkey through the snow from their mountain cottage.
To honor Samichlaus, we headed to Yoerg Brewing to enjoy one of Ben’s all-time favorite beers: the Samichlaus. Little did we know until researching Christmas that this beer has a fascinating history. It was first brewed in 1979 and is only brewed once a year, on December 6th (Saint Nicholas Day). It is a Bavarian Doppelbok and ages over a ten-month period, resulting it once being the strongest beer in the world. And now that we’re aware of the Christmas connection, it’s no wonder that Ben would have liked it so much!
Of course, no Swiss celebration would be complete without indulging in delicious Swiss cuisine. We started our day with classic grittibanz buns and warm apple juice, a comforting Swiss breakfast. The kids, along with Ben’s parents, delighted in making Mailänderli (Butter Lemon Cookies) while we enjoyed a festive happy hour at Yoerg Brewing. Later, as the kids drifted off to sleep, we gathered for a cozy Swiss dinner of fondue and roasted potatoes, savoring the flavors of Switzerland to conclude our memorable day.
Overall, our journey through Switzerland’s Christmas traditions was filled with joy, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the rich cultural heritage woven into every festive celebration.
Merry Christmas from Switzerland! And it’s four official languages (German, French, Italian, & Romansh)
Schöni Wiehnachte!
Joyeux Noël!
Buon Natale!
Bellas festas da Nadal!
ACTIVITIES:
FOOD & DRINK MENU:
Warm Apple Juice
Samichlaus Beer at Yoerg Brewing
Samichlaus Beer
Fondue w/ Potatoes, Cornichons, Pickled Pearl Onions
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