Decemeber, 2021
Liebe Laura,
Greetings to you across the Röstigraben this December, and my apologies for the 2-week delay in my letter. Every year I forget just how busy November is, always blaming December for sucking away my energy. But actually, it’s November with its dark mornings, very grey days and festive anticipation and preparation that has me in “survival” mode. By the time December rolls around, I am exhausted and in need to curl up on the couch. And this year is no different.
My November saw us celebrating Räbelichtli – a turnip carved lantern festival, a trip to the Emmental to make cookies, sick kids with thankfully negative covid tests, and me preparing to sell my products at a local Christmas pop-up.
And December is flying by too: The second candle on our advent wreath is alight, and we’ve had our annual personal visit from Samichlaus this past weekend, who brought a bag of mandarins, nuts and chocolates for the kids. The tradition of an early December visit from the Swiss Samichlaus, as we call it in our house, is a tradition we only have thanks to living here. Australian Santa comes on the night of the 24th. But of course, with your dutch origins, you know the Samichlaus tradition too! Is it, therefore, simpler to blend this tradition in your family?
Another early December tradition much loved by the kids in our village is the noisy Klausjagen, or “Chlaus hunting”. Around the 5th of December, you will hear lots of loud bells in many parts of central Switzerland. Groups, both old and young, walk around the villages ringing bells, accompanied by lanterns called Ifelen and whips called Geisselklepfe and move from house to house, which is said to help “scare away the spirits”. It is an unorganised affair in our village with groups walking wherever they wish, but just over the lake in the town of Küssnacht am Rigi, there is a huge parade. Unfortunately, the parade cancellation was inevitable again this year. Even though the parade takes place outside, typically, a crowd of up to 30,000 gathers to watch. Not being a fan of big crowds, even in non-pandemic times, I’ve only dared to visit once, where arrival an hour or so before the festivities begin to snap up the perfect viewing spot is a must. Do you have any unique December traditions down your way?
Not being a fan of crowds means I don’t hop from Christmas market to Christmas Market this time of year either, instead sticking to just a few favourites. In particular, the Zurich Christmas market at Bellvue and Einsiedeln’s Christmas market (which just finished up) are my favourites. But I only really only go to the Christmas markets for the food! I love enjoying a raclette, a glühwein and indulging in sweet treats like a Grittibanz Berliner, a speciality from the Einsiedeln market (jam-filled Grittibanz) and Öpfelchüchli (Apple Fritters). What about you? Any favourite markets and things to enjoy there?
What we, though, don’t eat out this time of year, but rather enjoy at home, is fondue. We usually only eat My Father-in-Law’s, an ex-cheese maker, special mix, but I aim to branch out and try a wide variety this year. There are so many combinations to try. We serve whichever cheese fondue we have in a beautiful ceramic fondue pot decorated with the storybook character Schallen Ursli (do you know him?). We also have a few matching plates mixed in with fondue plates I picked up at my local second-hand store. I have been reading a lot into fondue recently and noticed the mention of cast iron fondue pots, but I have never seen one in use here – neither has my Father in Law. Perhaps something found more on your side of Röstigraben than here on my German side?
Wow, I just realised I’ve spent most of the letter talking about food. But I guess that is what the festive season is all about for our family. Gathering around the table with yummy food, be that hot cider and Christmas cookies, a three-course home-cooked meal or something as simple as a soup. (Btw I must try the Soupe de Chalet you mentioned in your last letter, it looks delicious.) But the most important thing is to be around the table with the people we love spending time with most!
Next week we will host an outdoor Apero by the crackling fire for our family and friends who want to pop by (if it’s safe to do so) and celebrate our advent window – a tradition that I am organising in our village. Each year I look for 24 families to decorate a window, door or garden each day leading up to Christmas. We are on the 18th, so we still have time to finish off our creation. It is a beautiful tradition that brings more festive light to the village on these longest days of the year.
And as the longest day and the end of the year approaches, we can celebrate not only the festive season but our letters! We have had now 11 months of letters between us, documenting an entire year across the Röstigraben. And even now, 12 months after deciding to write these letters, I am still surprised at how many differences there can be across such a small difference. I’ve looked forward to your reply each month, Laura, especially to hear about your festive traditions.
Now all there is left to do is wish you and your family Happy Holidays and all the best for a wonderful 2022!
Liebe Grüsse
Kristin
MAKE SURE YOU READ LAURA’S REPLY HERE.
