• About
  • Travel Planning Services
  • Blog
    • Stories of People & Poetry
Global Heartbeat Travel

travel that speaks to the heart

MENU
  • Contact
  • Work with Me
    • Partners and Sponsors

December 1, 2017 By Hailey

8 Christmas Characters To Find On Your Holiday Travels in Switzerland

If you visit Switzerland during the Christmas season, you are likely to encounter a special cast of characters that very well may surprise you. With a history like Switzerland’s – where Catholic and Protestant beliefs have merged with German, French and Italian customs – today’s Swiss Christmas traditions are a rather unique mix. During your wintry visit to this European nation, keep your eyes peeled for these Swiss Christmas characters.

A Swiss Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Can you find all of these Christmas characters over the holiday season?

 1. SAMICHLAUS
In Switzerland, a jolly man in red does appear during the Christmas season, but he’s not from the North Pole. Saint Nicholas, the beloved saint from the Catholic cannon, is the Man of the Month, and he’s affectionately known as Samichlaus in Swiss German. December 6 is The Feast of St. Nicholas, and all Samichlaus activities revolve around this date.

Samichlaus invites children to ride the Märlitram at the Bellevue tram stop in Zurich.

Samichlaus is now a blend of the beloved Catholic saint and the commercialized Santa Claus, as explained in this article by Newly Swissed. For example, in Zurich, children can hop on the Märlitram for a special ride around town with Sami and his angels.

2. SCHMUTZLI
A black-bearded man dressed in a brown robe is almost always at Samichlaus’ side. The Swiss call him Schmutzli. (In Germany, St. Nicholas also has a right hand named Knecht Ruprecht.) Although Schmutzli’s origin story is as murky as his drab garb, he serves as the counterpart to the goodness of St. Nicholas.

Children can meet Samichlaus and Schmutzli in their forest cabin in Kaferberg in the beginning of December.

Today, Schmutzli is by and large thought of as a woodsman who helps Samichlaus with his duties – such as helping kids recognize their mistakes and deliver goodies for promises of being better in the future. Yet, not too long ago did parents warn their kiddos that Schmutzli would snatch misbehaving children in his sack and leave them in the forest. I think some still threaten Schmutzli’s wrath in the form of switches and coal…

3. ORANGE PEELS… HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE
Samichlaus and Schmutzli leave some edible gifts – like cookies, nuts, and Mandarin oranges – in children’s shoes placed at the doorstep on the eve of the Feast of St. Nicholas. The odd couple also doll out these tasty treats (with tidbits of wisdom) when they make appearances in parades, Christmas markets, and other holiday events. Inevitably, orange peels end up all over the place… just another sign of the Christmas season in Switzerland.

Whether we call them tangerines, clementines, or mandarins, you can find baskets full of oranges during the Christmas season; and you’ll probably spot discarded peels on the ground!

4. CHRISTKIND
When Martin Luther led the Reformation in the 16th Century, he introduced a “new” Christmas character to deflect attention from the Catholic figures like St. Nicholas: Christkind. The Christ Child (or Le Petite Jésus in French and Gesu Bambino in Italian) is depicted more like a little cupid or angel than an actual baby. Luther intended for the Infant Jesus to be the center of the holiday season, and he moved the gift-giving festivities back to Christmas Eve & Christmas Day to correspond with the celebration of Jesus’ birth. I suppose he needed to add some fantastical elements to keep the magic of the season alive. Eventually, Catholic regions in Germany and Switzerland accepted the Christkind into their Christmas cast.

5. THE THREE KINGS… CAKE
On January 6, the Feast of Epiphany, the Three Kings from the story of Jesus’ birth deliver gifts to children in some countries like Spain. Switzerland, however, seems to be all about the cake. Called Dreikönigskuchen in German and Gâteau/Galette des Rois in French, King Cake has become a staple figure in the Swiss holiday tradition… but only since the mid-20th century. If you find the figurine inside one of these bready cakes, you’ll be king or queen for the day.

6. GRITTIBÄNZ
An army of “Bread Men” form ranks in bakeries across the German-speaking countries of Europe this time of year. Called grittibänz in Swiss German, the Christmas Bread Men are a sweet snack available only during the holiday season. These merry doughboys come in various shapes and sizes, and they are a popular Christmas treat. Just don’t get between them and the butter or else…

I love these ads from Floralp, the Swiss butter company. They make me smile!

7. ADVENT CALENDARS
I don’t know why, but I’ve noticed that the Swiss are crazy about Advent Calendars. Starting in November, they appear in supermarkets and specialty shops. Some are petite and hold little treasures; others are enormous and house a generous supply of chocolate for each day. Once you see the Advent calendars appearing, you know the Christmas season is near.

I love that the Swiss love Advent calendars! My family had one that we used every year, where we’d put little felt ornaments to decorate the Advent tree. Too bad we didn’t know Advent calendars could contain so many sweets…

8. CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Perhaps the most exciting players (at least, for adults!) in the Christmas cast are the incredible markets that pop up in towns and cities throughout the season. With an assortment of hand-crafted goods, hot food and drinks, and holiday commodities, Christmas markets are definite crowd pleasers. Check out my post Christmas in Zurich to learn about the ones in my Swiss city!

The Christmas market in the Zurich Main Station is a great place to shop around. Plus, you’ll find one of the famous Swarovski Christmas trees, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2017!

The next time you’re in Switzerland during the ‘most wonderful time of the year,’ I hope you have some holiday fun with this Christmas scavenger hunt. Also, I’d love to hear how you’ve experienced the holiday season in Switzerland! So, please drop a line in the Comment Section below. Good luck and frohe Weihnachten!


Happy Holidays, everyone! What did you think about this list? Did any surprise you? Are there any more Swiss Christmas characters that I should mention? Should I have included roasted chestnuts on this list? Or a raclette stand? What do you think about Schmutzli? What body part of a grittibänz would you eat first?

Postcards from Hailey
I agree to have my personal information transfered to MailChimp ( more information )
Get helpful tips, exclusive insights, and updates on my latest travels - just every once in a while! Also, when you subscribe, you'll receive my lookbook "The Best of Switzerland" for free :) So, what are you waiting for? Continue the adventure and join my travel team today!
We hate spam. Your email address will not be sold or shared with anyone else.
Tweet
Share on Tumblr

Related

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hailey Domeck is a Southern girl with a Spanish heart and Swiss soul.

As a wife, mom, and travel addict, her love for mountains, fairy-tales, and great food keep her mind and heart always on the lookout for the next great adventure.

♥ Connect with Me ♥



💫 2020 - not about travel; all about family. 💫

#littleAlpenRose #WaveyBow
For me, this year was all about #motherhood - the For me, this year was all about #motherhood - the beauty of growing a child in the womb and then nurturing a precious newborn around the clock; the wild roller coaster of shepherding a toddler, whose contagious joy and  stubborn defiance make each day a challenge and a gift; the mundane tasks that help make a home feel warm and welcoming; and a bunch of other things. 

.
.
.
#littleAlpenRose #WaveyBow
📷: @whitneykeilman
Merry Christmas, y’all! 🤍 No matter your circ Merry Christmas, y’all! 🤍 No matter your circumstances, may you experience JOY in this holiday season and have HOPE  for a brighter year ahead. 

.
.
.
#littleAlpenRose #WaveyBow 

📷: @whitneykeilman
• T H A N K F U L • We are saying thanks for • T H A N K F U L • 

We are saying thanks for all things in life this week. It’s so easy to get stuck on either the big picture or the tiny details, but I believe it’s important to take it all in - like I did on this ridge overlooking #Manang Village last year while trekking the #AnnapurnaCircuit in #Nepal. 

Creating a culture of gratitude takes intentionality and discipline... and it’s especially not easy when babies and toddlers demand so much of you at all hours of the day and night. Yet, here we are at the start of the holiday season, and I’m choosing to be grateful for the whole lot. 

What are you thankful for this year?
Hooray, it’s the weekend! 🥳 I don’t have a Hooray, it’s the weekend! 🥳

I don’t have any big plans today (#newbornlife), but I’m recalling the joy of “Heidi Hailey” in the Himalayas last November. ☺️ Shout out to @thatdutchieguy for bringing his Polaroid camera on our #CreateConnectNepal journey... what a fun way to capture special moments, - like my favorite stretch of the #AnnapurnaCircuit in the #Manang District ❣️

What are you up to this weekend?
As I sit here nursing an 8-week old babe, it’s j As I sit here nursing an 8-week old babe, it’s just wild to me that on this date exactly one year ago, I was walking among giants and completed the most difficult hike of my life. 

On November 11, 2019, the #CreateConnectNepal team and I went up and over the Thorong La Pass. At 17,769 feet (5416m), this is the pinnacle of the Annapurna Circuit and one of the highest mountain passes in the world. The day began in the dark with a grueling 4+ hour ascent through snow-kissed trails and then required a fierce descent down a bone dry valley. It demanded everything of me. 

Yet, that day up and over Thorong La was just one part of my epic adventure in #Nepal last November. I am eternally grateful for that experience and cherish those memories dearly. I also miss those people a lot. ❣️
Follow on Instagram

  • Popular
  • Comments
  • Latest
  • Today Week Month All
  • 7 Things to Do in Zurich in Winter 7 Things to Do in Zurich in Winter
  • Hiking in Zermatt: 3 Scenic Trails You Don’t Want to Miss Hiking in Zermatt: 3 Scenic Trails You Don't Want to Miss
  • To the Top of Pilatus To the Top of Pilatus
  • The Best Fondue Restaurants in Zurich The Best Fondue Restaurants in Zurich
  • 6 Fun Things To Do At The Zurich Airport 6 Fun Things To Do At The Zurich Airport
  • 3 Questions to Ask Before Travel Planning 3 Questions to Ask Before Travel Planning
  • Reset & Ready: An Update from the Swiss Family Domeck Reset & Ready: An Update from the Swiss Family Domeck
  • An Open Letter to My NEWEST Newborn Daughter An Open Letter to My NEWEST Newborn Daughter
  • The Don CeSar: Highlights from Our Stay at the Pink Palace of Florida The Don CeSar: Highlights from Our Stay at the Pink Palace of Florida
  • 7 Tips For Planning A Trip to Nepal 7 Tips For Planning A Trip to Nepal
  • Today Week Month All
  • Sorry. No data yet.
Ajax spinner

Tags

adventure travel art & culture beach trip expat life family travel festivals & holidays food & drink hiking Munich Orlando Paris people & poetry Photography product reviews reflections road trips Sicily summer travel tiny country spotlight travel tips winter travel Zermatt Zurich

Recent Posts

  • 3 Questions to Ask Before Travel Planning
  • Reset & Ready: An Update from the Swiss Family Domeck
  • An Open Letter to My NEWEST Newborn Daughter
  • The Don CeSar: Highlights from Our Stay at the Pink Palace of Florida
  • 7 Tips For Planning A Trip to Nepal

 

DISCLAIMER POLICY

SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE “POSTCARDS FROM HAILEY”

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn

Discover Stories

adventure travel art & culture beach trip expat life family travel festivals & holidays food & drink hiking Munich Orlando Paris people & poetry Photography product reviews reflections road trips Sicily summer travel tiny country spotlight travel tips winter travel Zermatt Zurich

Global Heartbeat Travel

Copyright © 2023 Global Heartbeat Travel travel that speaks to the heart

 

Loading Comments...