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| Christmas Traditions in Switzerland |
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| Christkindli is a white clad angel who holds a jeweled crown. It is believed that as she enters every house on Christmas and hands out Christmas presents from the basket held by her child helpers beautiful candles are lit on Christmas trees. Children dress up in beautiful clothes in bright colors and visit every home with small Christmas gifts the week before Christmas. |
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People in every village call for midnight masses by ringing bells. This has become an important Christmas tradition in Switzerland. There is a lot of competition in every village when calling people for the midnight masses.
On December 6th in Switzerland Chlausjagen Festival or Feast of St. Nichohlas is celebrated. On this day a procession of “lifeltrager” who wears gigantic lanterns is carried on their heads.
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The people in Switzerland eagerly wait for christkindli, who is also called the Christ child to come in his reindeer drawn sleigh with Christmas gifts.
The Sternsingers who are also well known as the star singers dressed as the three kings parade through streets and towns singing Christmas carols.
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Homemade doughnuts are shared among family members after the midnight masses on Christmas.
A special fairy tram in Zurich makes for the perfect Christmas celebrations. The Swiss people believe that Santa Claus visits them on this tram with little children on Christmas.
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