Christmas in Switzerland

Christkindli, an angel in white robes and veiled face and a jeweled crown, arrives with silver bells tinkling to announce it, in all the homes in Switzerland on Christmas. As he enters the house, people light candles on the tree and then, he hands out presents. Presents are kept in a basket held by the angel's child helpers. A week before Christmas, children go home-to-home with small gifts, in their best festive dresses. Tradition of ringing bells has almost become a competition and cillages ring loudly to call the parishioners to Midnight Mass. After the service, huge doughnuts called Ringli and hot chocolate are shared in family gatherings.

In Switzerland, another festival before Christmas is worth mentioning. It is the Chlausjagen Festival or Feast of St. Nicholas celebrated at dusk on 6th of December. On this day, processions of 'lifeltrager' wearing gigantic illuminated lanterns in the shape of a Bishop's mitre on their heads are taken out. Christkindli is actually the Christ child and Swiss children wait for his arrival in his reindeer-drawn sleigh. The Star Singers or Sternsingers dressed as the Three Kings sing Christmas carols and songs during the Christmas holiday season and parade through the streets of cities and towns. However, in Zurich, Santa visits the children in a special fairytale tram to give them a ride through the city, sing songs and share a basket full of sweets with them.