Together with the country becoming the corner post of three diverse cultures - French, German, and Italian - Christmas in Switzerland combines a few of the traditions of all 3 nations although also introducing some which are uniquely Swiss.
From the French, the Swiss have borrowed a surprising degree of discipline for the festive season. In France, whilst Father Christmas is dishing out presents for the very good kids, he is accompanied by "the whipping father", who provides the naughty kids a sound thrashing. During Christmas in Switzerland, St Nicholas is accompanied by Schmutzli, who serves the same function.
As using the Italian celebrations, Christmas in Switzerland is based heavily about the scene of your Nativity. This was in fact invented in Italy in the request of St Francis of Assisi and remains very well known in Central and Western mainland Europe. The Yule log, which is traditionally burned in Italy for the 12 days of Christmas, is also a common tradition for the Swiss.
While markets are frequent across most European nations during the festive season, they may be especially prevalent in Germany and most traditional Christmas markets usually possess a slightly German really feel to them. Because of the big German-speaking population in the country, markets have also develop into an significant part of Christmas in Switzerland, with several large arrays of stalls in all of the significant cities as well as in some of the smaller towns.
On the other hand, some Swiss traditions are unique for the country. Right after attending midnight mass, on Christmas Eve, the Swiss share hot chocolate and large, homemade doughnuts ("ringli"), as opposed to the Italians that have their primary meal at this point. There are also ceremonies like the Klausjagen ("the chase of St Nicholas") - a torchlit procession through the extra Catholic areas from the country - that are really in contrast to any celebration in any other country.
From the French, the Swiss have borrowed a surprising degree of discipline for the festive season. In France, whilst Father Christmas is dishing out presents for the very good kids, he is accompanied by "the whipping father", who provides the naughty kids a sound thrashing. During Christmas in Switzerland, St Nicholas is accompanied by Schmutzli, who serves the same function.
As using the Italian celebrations, Christmas in Switzerland is based heavily about the scene of your Nativity. This was in fact invented in Italy in the request of St Francis of Assisi and remains very well known in Central and Western mainland Europe. The Yule log, which is traditionally burned in Italy for the 12 days of Christmas, is also a common tradition for the Swiss.
While markets are frequent across most European nations during the festive season, they may be especially prevalent in Germany and most traditional Christmas markets usually possess a slightly German really feel to them. Because of the big German-speaking population in the country, markets have also develop into an significant part of Christmas in Switzerland, with several large arrays of stalls in all of the significant cities as well as in some of the smaller towns.
On the other hand, some Swiss traditions are unique for the country. Right after attending midnight mass, on Christmas Eve, the Swiss share hot chocolate and large, homemade doughnuts ("ringli"), as opposed to the Italians that have their primary meal at this point. There are also ceremonies like the Klausjagen ("the chase of St Nicholas") - a torchlit procession through the extra Catholic areas from the country - that are really in contrast to any celebration in any other country.
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With all the country being the corner post of three different cultures - French, German, and Italian - Christmas in Switzerland combines some of the traditions of all three nations while also introducing some which are uniquely Swiss.
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