St. Nicholas Day

Honored for homemade bakingIn fact, St. Nicholas Day is a preparation for Christmas. This day opens the “hunting season” for gifts and the beginning of festive preparations. And on the night of December 5 to 6, solemn processions in honor of the holiday are held. Gothic huge candlesticks, carts and whips, a choir in white robes that symbolize the positive aspects of life, and a choir in black clothes that symbolize the dark sides of life are all integral attributes of the holiday. And it ends with a bright and beautiful ringing of bells and small bells.

All holidays celebrated throughout the year in Switzerland are accompanied by special dishes and confectionery. St. Nicholas Day is no exception. Shortly before the holiday, gingerbread men are prepared. Because of the Christmas fast, the dough from which the figures of men are baked has almost nothing to do with a real gingerbread dough.

Buying such cookies in the store is not accepted, only homemade pastries are in honor. Therefore, the whole of Switzerland, as if its inhabitants these days have no other worries, for hours conscientiously kneads the dough and stands by the stove, making sure that the precious cookies do not burn.

When the cookie is ready, it is packed in tin, cardboard boxes or in colorful paper bags and handed to friends and acquaintances. Friends and acquaintances, who also spent a lot of time at the stove, do not remain in debt and, in turn, also give gifts. As a result, on this day, no one is left without cookies ... and everyone is firmly convinced that cookies baked at home, much better received as a gift.