Figure 1.--This charming photograph shows two Swiss brothers enchanted by their Christmas tree at home. The photograph was taken about 1938. It shows that while the smock was primarily schoolwear, some boys also wore it at home. Notice the collar which was part of the sweater he was wearing and not the smock. These boys are from a French-speaking family showing that the Christmas tree was a part of the Christmas celebration in French as well as German families.

Switzerland has many unique Christmas traditions. This is in part because Switzerland basically has four different national traditions. There are German, French and Italian areas and traditions. The Alpine geography is another factor. Snowy winters made travel in Switzerland between villages very difficult, especilly before modern roads were built. as a result, some Swiss Christmas traditions have taken on unique regional variations.Gifts may be given either on Christmas Eve or New Year's Day, and they are brought by the Christkindli or St. Nicholas or even Father Christmas with his wife Lucy. Both the manger and the Christmas tree hold sway. Carols drift on the air in four languages. Switzerland has maintained its careful neutrality by absorbing the best of all nations. As in Germany, the Christmas tree is an important part of Christmas celebrations, at first in the German-speaking catons, but now most Swiss have Christmas trees.

Switzerland is a multi-cultural country. As a result, its Christmas traditions are diverse and cannot be generalized. Some Christmas traditions in variius Swiss towns and cities include the following. Celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas on December 6. The men in the village of Kussnacht parade through the streets. The men wear large cardboard headpieces (called "miters") illuminated with candles to accompany St. Nicholas. The children of Glarnerland march through the town ringing bells to solicit food and drinks from households they pass on St. Nicholas Day. Many Swiss celebrate St. Lucia Day on December 13. This important holiday commemorates a young girl in Rome who refused to give up her religion and as a result was killed by soldiers. Young carolers throughout Switzerland come to homes and serenade the residents in exchange for food or small gifts. They may sing in Swiss-German, French or Italian. At the village of Ziefen, bachelors walk through the streets on Christmas Eve, with the tallest man leading the way. He will wear a white beard and carry a long pole with a soot-covered rag attached. Many Swiss ring bells to announce the arrival of Christ Kindli, an angel who wears a white veil and a jeweled crown. She is sent down from the heavens to bring gifts. Candles are lit on Christmas tree to signify her entrance into the room. Many Swiss prepare "ringli," or homemade doughnuts, and hot chocolate to serve after the Christmas Eve church service. Many neighboring villages compete to see who can ring the bells the loudest to call people to church.

Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[About Us]
[Introduction] [Activities] [Biographies] [Chronology] [Clothing styles] [Countries] [Girls] [Theatricals]
[Bibliographies] [Contributions] [FAQs] [Glossaries] [Images] [Index] [Links] [Registration] [Tools]
[Main HBC Topic page]
[Boys' Historical Clothing Home]

Created: December 17, 2000
Last updated: December 27, 2000