By five o’clock in the afternoon, it is already dark in Zurich. It is freezing and dark outside, and we must find things to keep ourselves busy. Over time, the Swiss created many customs and opportunities to entertain themselves. We participate and attend where we can to learn from them.

Turnip lantern festival

At the end of October, Halloween kicked off the winter program. In early November, there is a turnip lantern festival. People hollowed out large turnips and carved images into the walls to serve as lanterns for the festival. Zander and I attended the school’s turnip festival. The younger children created the most beautiful lanterns during school time, and children and parents went for a walk in the forest behind the school with the lanterns late afternoon.

The children sang Swiss folk songs in the middle of the forest next to a huge campfire. I understand the custom goes back to the 1800s when people ate turnips as a staple food. End of November, they celebrated the end of the harvest season with a thanksgiving service at the church and then walked to church while singing with the turnip lanterns.

Fondue and Raclette

We see a large variety of cheese and accessories for Fondue and Raclette in the shops. We were fortunate to be invited to a fondue dinner at the house of a colleague of Charl. I never thought dinner consisting of bread and cheese could be so special! The Swiss wine also made its contribution. After all the cheese, they recommend drinking Kirsch (cherry brandy) to assist digestion.

Raclette is a thick slice of Swiss cheese that is melted in a raclette oven and eaten with bread, boiled potatoes, or vegetables. The dinner invitation inspired Charl’s birthday celebration. He has a fondue set he received years ago as a gift after hosting a training session in Zurich.

Ice hockey and ice skating

Ice hockey is a spectator sport in Switzerland during winter. We had an opportunity to watch an ice hockey match in Lausanne, close to the French border. It is a fast sport and was an exciting experience. This time of year, the children celebrate their birthday parties on the ice rink. The ice rink has a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and is a popular attraction.

Christmas markets and shopping street

In late November, officials switched on a Christmas tree decorated with Swarovski crystals to kick off the official Christmas celebrations. They decorated the shopping street between the Zurich train station and Zurich’s lake with the most beautiful lights that make it look like a starry sky. Everywhere there are stalls selling Christmas gifts, food, and mulled wine. The warm wine has a deliciously sweet spice flavour and provides some heat when it is so cold.

My Christmas gift this year will be the visit of Jacques, Christo, and Candice. In my heart, I will carry all who celebrate a Summer Christmas and picture everything on your Christmas table. I will sing with you – Christmas is coming, Christmas is coming – Give God all the glory. Grant us a bright Summer Christmas with many blessings in our country Lord!

I hope you experience a wonderful time together and a blessed time this December.
Kind regards
Emsia