https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Switzerland in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed It is more than likely that most people in Switzerland will understand you loud and clear if you wish them a ‘Merry Christmas’ in English. But if you live in the Swiss-German part of the country, and want to fit in, saying it in its native language is the way to go. https://www.thelocal.ch/20241217/the-swiss-german-vocabulary-youll-need-to-know-for-christmas Tue, 17 Dec 2024 17:15:13 +0100 the-swiss-german-vocabulary-youll-need-to-know-for-christmas Road authorities in Switzerland have warned that the Christmas and New Year period could see heavy traffic on Swiss motorways, but asked drivers to avoid taking diversions on secondary roads. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251212/swiss-traffic-chiefs-reveal-the-roads-to-avoid-over-christmas Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:03:52 +0100 swiss-traffic-chiefs-reveal-the-roads-to-avoid-over-christmas Unlike most European countries, Switzerland doesn't really have 'classic' Christmas dishes such as the turkey in the UK or the roasted goose in Germany. https://www.thelocal.ch/20191223/at-christmas-meat-fondue-brings-comfort-and-joy-to-the-swiss Mon, 23 Dec 2019 11:59:30 +0100 at-christmas-meat-fondue-brings-comfort-and-joy-to-the-swiss Travelling between Christmas and New Year’s is hardly a relaxing experience. What should you be prepared for when leaving Switzerland in the next days? https://www.thelocal.ch/20251222/travel-disruption-to-expect-when-flying-from-switzerland-this-holiday-season Mon, 22 Dec 2025 12:13:19 +0100 travel-disruption-to-expect-when-flying-from-switzerland-this-holiday-season From humble beginnings and a small production budget, "Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel" has become the seminal Christmas film across much of Europe - including Switzerland. https://www.thelocal.ch/20191222/this-christmas-film-is-the-most-watched-movie-in-swiss-history Sun, 22 Dec 2019 12:00:00 +0100 this-christmas-film-is-the-most-watched-movie-in-swiss-history You have probably noticed that Christmas (at least the commercial variety) comes earlier and earlier each year. Even so, it is certainly worth visiting Switzerland’s markets, where the festive ambience prevails from November to the end of December — and sometimes even longer. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251119/what-to-know-about-switzerlands-christmas-markets-in-2025 Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:02:20 +0100 what-to-know-about-switzerlands-christmas-markets-in-2025 Are you dreaming of a white Christmas with every Christmas card you write? Depending on where in Switzerland you are, your dream may – or may not – come true. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251209/where-in-switzerland-is-most-likely-to-get-a-white-christmas-this-year Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:31:42 +0100 where-in-switzerland-is-most-likely-to-get-a-white-christmas-this-year Swiss Post is (mostly) efficient and punctual with mail deliveries, but if you want your letters and packages to get to their destinations for Christmas, don’t procrastinate. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251202/what-are-the-swiss-deadlines-for-sending-christmas-post-this-year Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:24:13 +0100 what-are-the-swiss-deadlines-for-sending-christmas-post-this-year Whether it’s one tie too many, an ugly vase, a useless gadget, or even a partridge in a pear tree, you might want to bring some of the presents you received back to the store for a refund or exchange. Are such returns allowed in Switzerland? https://www.thelocal.ch/20211228/explained-the-rules-around-returning-christmas-gifts-in-switzerland Tue, 28 Dec 2021 17:18:33 +0100 explained-the-rules-around-returning-christmas-gifts-in-switzerland The Swiss love their cheese and chocolate, but they won’t look at you strangely if you don’t eat either. When it comes to wine-drinking, however, things can be different, especially at Christmas time, explains Helena Bachmann. https://www.thelocal.ch/20231212/is-there-pressure-to-drink-at-swiss-christmas-office-parties Tue, 12 Dec 2023 16:00:25 +0100 is-there-pressure-to-drink-at-swiss-christmas-office-parties In case you haven’t looked at your calendar lately, Christmas is nearly here (yes, already). If you have any letters or parcels to send out, don’t procrastinate. https://www.thelocal.ch/20241202/the-swiss-deadlines-you-need-to-know-for-sending-christmas-post Mon, 02 Dec 2024 16:01:01 +0100 the-swiss-deadlines-you-need-to-know-for-sending-christmas-post The festive season can be difficult for people living abroad far away from their loved ones back home, but we've put together a few gift ideas for staying close to friends and family. https://www.thelocal.ch/20241207/11-christmas-gift-ideas-to-stay-connected-with-friends-and-family-back-home Sat, 07 Dec 2024 09:52:27 +0100 11-christmas-gift-ideas-to-stay-connected-with-friends-and-family-back-home Christmas customs and celebrations in Switzerland might be a bit more subdued and less flashy than in some other countries, but they are rich in traditions. https://www.thelocal.ch/20191202/three-swiss-christmas-traditions-you-should-know-about Mon, 02 Dec 2019 16:50:33 +0100 three-swiss-christmas-traditions-you-should-know-about From the giving of presents to the food and drink consumed, every European country has its own customs surrounding Christmas - and Switzerland has some of the best and most unique. https://www.thelocal.ch/20191211/how-to-celebrate-christmas-like-the-swiss Wed, 11 Dec 2019 02:20:13 +0100 how-to-celebrate-christmas-like-the-swiss From the giving of presents to the food and drink consumed, every European country has its own customs surrounding Christmas - and that is no different for the Swiss. https://www.thelocal.ch/20231222/heres-how-to-celebrate-christmas-the-swiss-way Fri, 22 Dec 2023 16:25:16 +0100 heres-how-to-celebrate-christmas-the-swiss-way The Local has been delving into festive traditions in Switzerland. Today we head to the Italian-speaking region of Ticino - where ‘il dolce’ takes centre stage on Christmas Day. https://www.thelocal.ch/20191218/bizarre-swiss-christmas-traditions-3-get-drunk-on-cake-but-dont-make-it-vomit Wed, 18 Dec 2019 15:57:25 +0100 bizarre-swiss-christmas-traditions-3-get-drunk-on-cake-but-dont-make-it-vomit After a heavy snowfall that hit most of Swiss regions earlier in the week, you may be wondering if there will be more of the same for Christmas. https://www.thelocal.ch/20231206/what-are-the-chances-switzerland-will-have-white-christmas-this-year Wed, 06 Dec 2023 13:36:46 +0100 what-are-the-chances-switzerland-will-have-white-christmas-this-year Switzerland’s postal service has outlined its mailing deadlines for Christmas to help customers get their letters and parcels to friends and loved ones in time for the holidays. https://www.thelocal.ch/20231124/what-are-the-christmas-deadlines-in-switzerland-for-posting-letters-and-parcels Fri, 24 Nov 2023 12:26:21 +0100 what-are-the-christmas-deadlines-in-switzerland-for-posting-letters-and-parcels The leaves haven’t totally fallen off the trees across Switzerland yet, but Christmas markets in some areas are already setting up their stalls. Where can you eat, drink, and be merry in November? https://www.thelocal.ch/20231030/the-swiss-christmas-markets-opening-in-november Mon, 30 Oct 2023 13:09:28 +0100 the-swiss-christmas-markets-opening-in-november Switzerland's four national languages means there are four different names for Christmas. We break down why - and how to say Merry Christmas wherever you are in the country. https://www.thelocal.ch/20191223/understanding-the-different-names-for-christmas-across-switzerland Mon, 23 Dec 2019 14:07:53 +0100 understanding-the-different-names-for-christmas-across-switzerland