The December tradition of festively decorated windows, called Adventsfenster (Advent Window), is popular throughout Switzerland. Organised by local community groups, these creative pops of festive joy bring much-needed light to the longer days of the year and bring the community together for one last hurrah before the year is out.
For those new to Switzerland or looking to integrate, just visiting your local advent windows throughout December is a great first step into the local community. Joining in is as simple as grabbing your local list and taking a walk admiring your creative neighbours’ work. And if you are wondering what to wear while walking around in the cold, check out our complete guide to what to wear in Switzerland in winter.
But if you want to take it one step further and join in on the Adventsfenster tradition yourself, why not make an advent window of your own! Below you will find everything you need to know, even if you have missed this year’s deadline.
All you need to know about creating an Adventsfenster in Switzerland
What exactly is an Adventsfenster?
Advent Windows are like a living advent calendar where twenty-four homes, businesses, and local groups take turns to present their decorated window the 24 days before Christmas. The opening on each advent window often coincides with an open house invitation to join the family or business for an Apero of Glühwein and Gingerbread.
How do I make an Advent Window?
Making an advent window is as straightforward or as complicated as you want it to be! So let your imagination go wild! I organise the event in our village, and my only requirement is that your assigned number and decorations are visible in the dark – otherwise, the canvas is yours.
But here are some advent window inspiration:
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- Go traditional and cut out shapes in black cardboard and fill them with transparent paper like a stain-glass window. Here you will need patience, a good idea and a sharp cutting knife.
- Go full Picasso and create an entire scene using just different coloured paper.
- Get creative with natural objects like driftwood and lights.
- Or get the kids to cut out hundreds of paper snowflakes.
- A white window marker is a simple but effective way to create your own wintery scene without having to pick up a cutting knife and glue.
Whatever you create, make sure your masterpiece is visible at night!
For more inspiration, Pinterest is your friend.
Does it have to be a window?
While the tradition started with decorated windows, and a window may be required to participate in some villages, my theory is it doesn’t have to be! So if you don’t have a window that is easily visible from the road, why not decorate your front door, terrace or garden. Live in an apartment? Why not get the whole building together to decorate the front entrance (with permission, of course).
How do I sign up?
Look around your local community and see who is responsible for organising your local advents window – usually, it is the local women’s group or church. From my personal experience managing the advent windows in our village, I know I appreciate people who reach out themselves, which means I have one less person to find to fill those 24 days! I even started collecting names a year ahead, so really there is no wrong time of year to ask! Participating in a tradition such as this is a great first integration step into your local swiss community!
I missed this year. Can I still make a window?
Yes!!!
While you won’t be able to add a number to your window and won’t be on the official list, you can still festively decorate a window and bring a bit of Christmas spirit to your community. Think of it as a practice for next year!
And if your local community doesn’t practice this tradition – take the initiative as my friend Jody did in Unterägeri and create one next December! Your community will be thankful!
