Christmas in Switzerland??

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mxix_1546

Hello

Hope I can help.

1. their equivalend santa clause

Santa Claus is called Samichlaus. He comes on 6th December with a donkey from the forest and is accompanied by Schmutzli (his assistant). He visits the homes of children and brings them nuts, oranges, dates and chocolate - and sometimes a gift. He recounts the good and the less good things children did during the year. When I was little, there was sometimes also the threat that he will pack you in his bag and takes you to the forest - this is in case you did very bad things. So the next day all the children tell each other how it was and "did you take you with him"? In fact they let you go at the front door of their house.

2. food they eat

Each family has their own food tradition. Popular are ham and potato salad, or sausage rolled in dough, this is for the evening of 24th. The 25th is reserved for a more elaborate menu. In our family it was Fondue Chinoise (meat that is cooked in a soup and accompanied by small pieces of food and sauce).

-songs they sing

Singing is quite important, especially when you're little or if there are kids around on that evening.

http://www.weihnachtsmarkt.ch/lieder-bilder/lieder/o-du-froehliche.html

The link provides some titles and you can also click on the text "Zum Abspielen bitte hier klicken" to hear the songs. As such you can hear the english equivalent and maybe know the song.

-how to say merry christmas in their language
We say "beautiful or merry christmas", that is:
- schÃ¶ne Wiehnacht
or
- frÃ¶hlichi Wiehnacht

- how they exchange gifts

The Christkindli (Christ child) comes on the 24th and brings the gifts through the open window.

The gifts are laid under the christmas tree.

To avoid too much consumerism, many people have abandoned the gift ceremony and they do not share any at all. But this is of course not the case for little children, especially not if they believe in Christkindli.

-what they do at christmas eve

Have a light dinner and go to Midnight Mass. This depends on the family tradition, though. Going to mass is only for those who do have this tradition.

Sometimes people often avoid all this and go on a ski holiday with family or friends.

Good luck with your presentation and Merry Christmas - soon :)

Esther

santa claus comes on december 6, he brings nuts and chocolate. The christchild comes on December 24 ( evening) and brings the presents. People have a christmas tree with candles.
My family always has ham and potatoes salad and lots of christmas cookies. The gifts are wrapped and under the tree. When I was a child we used to sing. Now, we play christmas songs.
Merry christmas is " schÃ¶ni wienacht".

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