Christmas in Germany celebrates Christkind, a fairy-like being who brings gifts on the 24th of December, unlike Santa Claus in other countries. The days up to the 24th people traditionally spend their time at Weihnachtsmärkte, where you can enjoy warm Glüwein and other baked goods. Baking during this period is done extensively, as the cookies and Lebkuchen are supposed to last the entire December month!
Decorating the tree, unlike in Sweden, is done on the 24th and traditionally, everyone in the family participates. Nevertheless, other Christmas decorations are set up beforehand, such as the Adventskranz, a wreath with four candles is lit on the first advent, and is lit as each advent passes by. Usually, the entire house is decorated with the Christmas colors and candles.
On the 24th, is when Christmas is celebrated in Germany and when most of the action happens. The Christmas tree must be decorated, and only a couple sausages and Lebkuchen can be eaten because the big meal is after church. Only after church and dinner, where duck, and red cabbage is eaten, can we open the presents!
Noemie
Christmas in Luxembourg isn’t very different from Germany’s traditions. Chrëschtmaart, or Christm
as markets in Luxembourgish are a traditional way that Luxembourgers enjoy their time during the winter months. Symbolised by the giant Christmas pyramid, Gromperekichelcher or Glühwein, the Christmas markets are the heart of Christmas in Luxembourg city, the capital.
Just like in Sweden, a Chrëschtbeemercher, or a Christmas tree is set in each house to decorate with your family. In the months prior to the 25th, every boulangerie in the country will be filled with Boxemännercher, which are little Brioche pastries in the shape of a man. Another typical dish of Luxembourg during this period is Kniddelen, very close to Knödel which is a potato dish typical of central Europe!
Another tradition in Luxembourg, that isn’t food, is the Kleeschen and the Houseker, which are Luxembourg’s version of Saint Nicholas in Germany and Zwarte Piet in the Netherlands. To prepare for the arrival of the Kleeschen on the 6th of December, little children leave their slippers out of their bedrooms so that Saint Nicholas can fill them with candy and gifts.
Gioia
Christmas in Switzerland is quite similar to Christmas in Germany or Luxembourg, with Christmas celebrated primarily on Christmas Eve, the 24th of December, when the Christkind brings the presents. However, there are some traditions that set our Christmases apart.
It is rare that a typical Swiss family would participate in the ritual of setting out shoes for Saint Nicholas to fill up with sweets and gifts on the 6th of December, however some still do. The real tradition for the Swiss on the 6th is rather the baking of the Grittibänz, which is basically typical Swiss milk bread that you shape into a little man and decorate with raisins, almonds and sugar, which you then eat in celebration of Saint Nicholas.
Advent Calendars are also a hot topic in Switzerland, and are usually filled with gifts or chocolate, and are particularly enjoyed by children. Similarly, like in Germany, the Adventskranz is also a key part of Christmas in Switzerland.
A typical staple of a Swiss Christmas is the many variations of Christmas biscuits we have. Biscuits that are usually always present at a Swiss christmas event are ‘Vanillekipferl’ which are vanilla sugar cookies, ‘Schoggibölle’ which translates to ‘Chocolate balls’, ‘Chräbeli’ which are a type of hard biscuit with Anis inside, ‘Mailanderli’ which are lemon butter cookies, ‘Brunsli’ which are chocolate almond cookies alongside many more variations!
As for a typical Swiss dinner on Christmas day or eve, there is not a specific food in general as it varies from family to family, however most families celebrate with a big Raclette or cheese fondue, which are both variants of melted cheese paired with a form of carb. Meat fondue or ‘fondue chinoise’ is also a classic Christmas dinner staple.
The actual celebration usually always consists of eating, opening gifts, and Christmas carolling of songs like ‘Das isch de Schtärn vo Bethlehem’ – this is the star of Bethlehem’.
Having said that, Christmas in Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland are all quite similar, however they all bear some slight differences, making them unique to each country! Frohe Weihnachten! (Merry Christmas)
Maude
