Merry Christmas

Well, it's that time of year again. December is knocking on the door with it all the joys of Christmas. So stay with us, while we take you on a little Christmas journey...

Christmas in Switzerland

Advertisers and supermarkets usually bombard us with Christmas stuff when we just got out of the Summer vibe. And songs like Last Christmas start playing on the radio haha. Yeah we're early too, check out our Christmas playlist on Spotify. But it's not really Christmassy until the Advent season, 4 weeks before Christmas. That's when you slowly start to decorate the house together, bake Christmas cookies (we call them «Güetzi» here), make handicrafts or buy presents. Of course, a nice Christmas tree is very important as well. So we have many Christmas rituals that are also common in other countries.

Santa Claus too, which is called «Samichlaus» in Swiss German. He's always a highlight for the kids. It's usual to practice verses for the «Samichlaus» in school. And on 6th December, the kids meet him (mostly outdoors, for example in the forest) and his helpers to present their verses and receive treats from his big bag. The rod is with one of his helpers – but it's more symbolic. Santa's generally a good guy haha, he doesn't really punish kids or put them in his bag. Of course Santa Claus also comes to many people's homes as well. Or is it just the dear uncle. Hm, we don't know...we're not gonna destroy any childhood dreams here. Church visits are also common of course, especially on Christmas Eve – after all, it's the most contemplative time of the year.

We also sing together at home – mostly traditional German Christmas carols. Here and there paired with typical Swiss folk music instruments. For example the «Schwyzerörgeli», which resembles an accordion. You can also have fun outdoors. Especially if it has fresh snow. Go for a sleigh ride or build a snowman together. Or a good old snowball fight where you can resolve an old conflict with your relatives haha.

Every region, every place and above all every family has its own Christmas traditions. Many of you will certainly have beautiful childhood memories of them – we hope we have been able to revive them a little for you. Maybe take you back to a more carefree time.

A little Christmas Quiz

Now, for fun and to use your brain a little: welcome to our Christmas Quiz.
You'll find the answers at the end of this blog. So don't cheat haha!

Now here are some suggestions for activities during the Christmas season:

• A nice snowshoe hike through our winter wonderland, discover more
• Hit the slopes – people are often busy on Christmas, which means less people
• Attending a church service in the nice little church of Grindelwald
• Ice skating on the illuminated rink in Meiringen
• Benefit from special hotel offers, for example overnight stay & dinner
• Or book a nice apartment, preferably with a fireplace

Somehow, not only for Christmas,
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others
Is the joy that comes back to you;
And the more you spend in blessing
The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart’s possessing
Returns to make you glad.

For Santa Claus all people are equal. He makes no difference between nationality or old and young. He is tolerant and understanding. 

Don't question everything, don't judge everything, you don't have to understand everything. Focus on the important things, enjoy and be thankful for the small things. Really take a minute and recollect, whether you're religious or not. Also think of the many people that, sadly, are alone on Christmas. If you can: make someone smile, help someone, donate to a meaningful organization. We too, as a company and in our private lifes, must try to focus on the essential, be objective, be fair, honest and respectful. But open for new, different and challenging things.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our guests from all over the world! We are privileged to live in such a beautiful region and we are happy to welcome you here and show you the things you can do and experience.

And for our dear partners in Grindelwald, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen, Mürren and the Haslital:

Merci vilmal firdi flotti Zämmenarbeit! Mier wiinschen eech u eune Liebste e fridlichi Wiehnachtszyt und de gli es guets Niuws! Mier freuen iis ufds nägschta Jahr – gämer doch zämen offe, fair u sachlich ad Arbeit. Midenand geids ja schliessli ringer, niid!? Häbid sorg u häbids gued.

 

We're sure you didn't get a word of that. Don't worry, we didn't gossip about you. We just said thank you in Swiss dialect, to our dear partners.