As a South African, December holidays are synonymous with the sea, beach, long sunny days, barbecues, family, and friends. This prospect has helped me every year when my energy tank’s needle is touching empty. Preparation for the holiday and festive season is as enjoyable as the holiday itself.

I could hug my children

This year is a different experience. Winter in December for a South African is just as strange a concept as a sunny Christmas for any European. This year, I dedicated most of my planning and preparation to my sons and Candice’s visit in December. Despite the visa challenges and delayed flights, everything was worth it when I saw them walking through the doors of Zurich airport and could give them a good hug. Their visit was my Christmas gift!

Lake Zurich and Christmas markets

I was eager to show them the Christmas decorations in the main street on the evening of their arrival. We walked from the train station to the lake and enjoyed the festive atmosphere created by the Christmas markets.

I had to carefully plan to share all my discoveries with them in the short time they were here. We strolled through the forest near our house and explored the old town of Zurich. We took beautiful photos of the bridges over the Limmat River and the many church towers. With our flask of coffee and a lunch box full of sandwiches, we had a picnic next to Lake Zurich.

Rapperswil

We took the train along the lake to Rapperswil. It has a beautiful old town on the shores of Lake Zurich, and the Christmas markets and food stalls have created a cosy atmosphere. On the hill of the city is a beautiful 12th-century castle.

Lindt chocolate factory shop

A visit to the Lindt chocolate factory shop was a must to buy gifts for everyone in South Africa. The shop is next to the factory, and the chocolate smell hanging in the air is seducing. At the front of the store are all the beautiful displays of coloured chocolate treats, and at the back are the bargains available in bulk.

Our first snow experience

The highlight was the unexpected snow one night just before bedtime. We all became kids again and ran outside, trying to catch the snow, making snowballs and taking pictures. The following morning, a pure white layer of snow covered the world. Candice and Zander wrote letters to their friends in the snow. I will cherish the shared first snow moment forever.

Candice’s wish was to celebrate her birthday on 17 December in Amsterdam, and the three of them got on the plane with great excitement to meet Candice’s friend Tristan there and make their discoveries. They stayed in a youth hostel, met interesting people, and had exciting experiences. After Amsterdam, Jacques and Christo went to London to enjoy Christmas and New Year in the UK with the family. Candice and Tristan flew back to celebrate Christmas with us.

Christmas service in German in the Fraumünster church

We attended the Christmas service in German in the Fraumünster church. The church was packed. They lit the candles of the Christmas tree in front of the church with a long stick, and the choir sang Christmas songs.

Our Christmas lunch consisted of a mixture of South African and Swiss dishes. For the rest of the day, we enjoyed a playing card competition in our warm cosy apartment while it was freezing outside.
Even though I longed for all the other family who could not be with us, my heart was satisfied.

Kind regards
Emsia