Eight years ago Michael became Swiss on paper, but his Swissness has also shown in his behaviour: If our phone rings after 9 p.m. he wonders what the emergency was, he never once starts a meal before everybody has sat down and wished each other an enjoyful meal and punctuality is his golden rule.

Last Monday, however, Michael became even more Swiss. He played the role of Samichlaus’ servant. Samichlaus (a bit like Father Christmas in other regions of the world) is an ancient tradition in Switzerland; the day of St. Nicklaus is celebrated on 6th December. Samichlaus, his Schmutzli and in this area even a servant go from house to house and bring joy to the children (in some cases it’s rather dread than joy). They announced themselves by the ringing of a bell or the blowing of a cow horn. Sometimes Samichlaus comes with a donkey, sometimes on foot or by car, if the distances are too great.
The parents who have requested the visit of Samichlaus with the local council, put a small gift in front of their houses. Samichlaus picks this up discretely before entering the home and presents it later to the child. We used to get a few peanuts, tangerines and chocolate, now, there are kids who get huge Lego sets from Samichlaus. What these same children will find later under their Christmas trees, I’d rather not know.

Samichlaus has also been previously informed about the good and bad deeds of the child (e.g. if he/she is helpful at home). He speaks a few words of praise and a few words of warnings to the impressed offspring and encourages them to do better (one family took the opportunity to wean their child off his pacifier and made their son hand them over to the Samichlaus). The little ones usually recite a poem and are finally rewarded with the gift, before the troop moves to the next house.

More often than not, the children are less cooperative and hide themselves out of fear of the impressive men. I can sympathize with them, as I too give Samichlaus and his Schmutzli a wide berth when I meet them on the streets!