Samichlaus

Today is St. Nikolas' Day, when Samichlaus comes to visit. Traditionally, Swiss children memorize and recite a poem for Samiclaus (R. no longer remembers the words, unfortunately), who then asks if they have been good children or bad. Good children are treated with tangerines, peanuts, Lebkucken (sort of like gingerbread, but not quite) and sweets. Naughty children, as in Germany, get a switch. Samiclaus is accompanied by Schmutzli ("the dirty one"), who threatens to throw the bad children into his sack and steal them away.

Gritibänz - bread shaped like a gingerbread man - are sold on St. Nikolas' Day.



Tangerines and peanuts are commonly eaten all during the Christmas period - I've never seen so many tangerines and peanuts, also called "spanische Nüssli" (Spanish nuts), in my life as in Switzerland during Advent.