I can remember visiting Santa in (I think) Lewis’s Argyll Street in Glasgow – Christmas decorations everywhere, a long queue, and being propelled in and out of the Grotto. My children have never done anything like that. Christmas in Switzerland is different.
For a start, we don’t have Father Christmas. (Though the Samichlaus, who comes on December 6th and distributes peanuts, chocolate and mandarine oranges does bear more than a passing resemblance to Santa…) Christmas presents, however, are brought on the 24th by the Christkindli (little Christ Child).
For parents, this has huge advantages. Not for a moment were we tempted to spend Christmas in the UK when the boys were small, and here’s why – in Switzerland, you get to sleep. This is how it works:
By afternoon on the 24th, most people are off school/work for Christmas. The tradition is for families to gather for dinner in the evening, often preceded by a walk in the woods, or a frantic last-minute shop, or a visit to a carol concert. This means the kids are out the house, which gives the Christkindli plenty of time to whizz in, erect and decorate the tree, leave a selection of presents underneath, and whizz back out again. No reindeer involved, no getting stuck up the chimney, and no sherry and biscuits to consume.
The family return home and do their own traditional thing. We had a separate dining room so the living room was locked (by the Christkindli) until after dinner, when we all trooped in (it was magically unlocked by this time), opened the presents, played, and finished the Christmas sherry…
So the kids go to bed exhausted on the 24th, and (if you’re lucky) sleep late on the 25th. Nobody is creeping around at 3 a.m to see if Santa has been, and nobody is up for the day at 4.30 to investigate their sock.
I have to admit, I missed the sock bit when my boys were small. A couple of times I filled them a sock for the 25th, but the magic just wasn’t there. Sometimes, you can’t mix traditions.
Whatever you’re doing, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas – see you next year!
Hi Linda, this brings back special memories of my Christmas time in Switzerland. We celebrated it in a similar way, a walk in the snow-covered landscape on the 24th. In my home, I was in my bedroom in the evening, trying to get a glimpse of the Christkind flying down from heaven with the presents–of course I missed it every time–then the little bell, me rushing into the living room where the magic continued. There is something on my blog about the Samichlaus: http://christa-polkinhorn.blogspot.com/.
Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How lovely! It’s such a special time for children, when the magic still exists! Have a lovely Christmas and ‘rutsch gut’! 🙂
LikeLike
This is wonderful – I love reading about what happens elsewhere in the world, it is so interesting to find out the traditions others follow and I’m very much liking the getting a decent nights sleep bit! 🙂 Have a terrific Christmas Linda and see you next year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Georgia – I have more ‘Swiss’ posts planned. Don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. Have a lovely Christmas too – see you on Twitter! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love hearing about other traditions and celebrations! Thanks so much for this very fun post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a fun time, isn’t it – especially if you have little kids around to enjoy it with!
LikeLike
When we lived in Switzerland the tradition was to go Kerze ziehen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We used to do that too when the boys were small. It was beeswax – the candles had a lovely smell. Whereabouts did you live? We’re in the top left corner on Lake Constance. Great place!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We were near Zug!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice and central! Near Luzern, too, it’s a fab city. I have a son in Rapperswil, not too far away from Zug. https://widgets.wp.com/notifications/2207934940#
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seems much more civilised, Linda, I’d agree, although don’t the kids enjoy dressing the tree also?
Would be interested in your take on Norah’s post about Santa being away of lying to children:
http://norahcolvin.com/2015/12/22/the-magic-of-christmas-bah-humbug/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw Norah’s post yesterday – interesting one! Whether it’s Santa who brings the pressies or the Christkindli – the myth/tradition is the same. I think we can explain it to older children as a way for parents (and older kids) to make Christmas special for the little ones. Young children and truth is often difficult because they’re not always able to understand. I remember my three-year-old asking if the injection he was getting that afternoon would hurt. I told him ‘a very little’. He was afraid at first and when we arrived at the surgery he became hysterical. After the injection (which he barely noticed, he was screaming so hard) he was fine, but me telling him the truth cost him over an hour of terror. If I’d said ‘No’ he would have said ‘Ouch’ and that would have been it. Being a parent means it’s sometimes impossible to get things right!
About the tree – you’re right about dressing them, and after the Christkindli has been outed in the family, people usually put up their trees with the kids.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s delightful to read of the tradition in Switzerland. I remember reading of the ways different countries celebrated Christmas years ago, each with its own take on the gift giver and the associated myth. I like the explanation you give older children, and if it works for them, that’s great. Sounds like you will have had a wonderful time. Happy new year!
LikeLike
Same to you, Norah! Christmases in this household are adult-only affairs at the moment – it does make things a little easier!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would! I hope you enjoyed it and have a wonderful New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person