The Citizen, 2015-12-24, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015.
Swiss Christmas traditions important for Studhalter
For Ursina Studhalter, the
Christmas practices in Canada are
interesting, but not the way she
remembers Christmas.
The former Queen of the Furrow
for the Huron County Ploughing
Match and McGavin Farm
Equipment Ltd. employee didn’t
arrive in Canada, specifically the
Walton area, until 1999, after
spending her formative years just
north of Zurich, Switzerland.
“When I was really young, we
emigrated right before Christmas,”
she said. “I remember Christmas in
bits and pieces before that,” she said.
“My mother’s brother would have
Christmas at his farm. We would go
there on Christmas Eve and
everyone got together. That was
where you got all your gifts. We
celebrated a bit as our family, but
that was the big highlight.
“There were actual candles on the
Christmas tree,” she said. “It was a
big celebration.”
Her father’s side of the family had
already moved to Canada in search
of better opportunities before her
family did.
While it was a culture shock for
Studhalter, one of the biggest things
she realized, likely due to moving
right before the Christmas season,
was how differently the holiday was
celebrated.
Probably the biggest change was
the jolly old elf in red, Santa Claus.
“Santa Claus doesn’t exist in
Switzerland,” Studhalter said. “I
found out about him here but I never
believed in him. We had St. Nicholas
on Dec. 6 and that was a big, huge
thing for us.”
Studhalter explained that someone
dressed as St. Nicholas would travel
around with a helper passing out
small gifts and snacks to children
who had behaved and switches to
those who didn’t.
“Saint Nick always had this great
big, gold book and he must have
been working with our parents
because he would know things he
shouldn’t know,” Studhalter said.
“He would give out peanuts, cookies
and mandarins if you behaved or his
assistant would give you coal if you
hadn’t. The stories also say he might
take you away if you were really
bad.”
The differences were pretty stark
for young Studhalter when she came
to Canada to join her family that was
already here.
“St. Nicholas and his donkey and
his assistant and the Christ candle
were pretty unique here,” she said.
“My mom made sure that the
tradition stayed alive though. We
would go to the Swiss Club Thames
Valley and they would have someone
there being St. Nicholas. It was very
traditional.”
Very traditional foods are also a
big part of the family’s Swiss
celebration, Studhalter said.
“They would have lebkuchen at
the Swiss club, which my mom still
makes,” Studhalter said. “There
were also snacks that were bread that
looked like little men. We would
decorate them as kids.”
Cookies are also important to the
tradition, Studhalter said, stating that
there are half a dozen different kind
of cookies that her family enjoys at
holidays.
The family also enjoys a
traditional holiday meal which
Studhalter couldn’t put a name to but
said involved a pastry with fish in it
as well as leeks, mushroom, herbs
and sauce.
Advent is also big for the family.
“There was the cake and we would
light the Advent candles,” Studhalter
said. “Advent wreaths are also a big
thing, because that’s the fourth week
of Advent. It’s also celebrated at
night because there is no morning
stuff.”
The holiday celebration at the
Studhalter home runs until Three
Kings Day on Jan. 6. She explained
that there is a special cake baked that
day and whoever finds the king
hidden in the cake gets to be king for
the day.
While her family may celebrate
Christmas in a different way from
most, Studhalter said the family has
adopted some more western
Christmas traditions since settling
here.
“We still do have a Canadian
Christmas celebration with the
Merry Christmas
from all of us
Country Store
519-887-8429
Feed Mill
Dungannon
519-529-7951
Walton 519-887-6023
1-800-665-5675
May you enjoy the blessings of the season with the
ones you love and may the New Year bring you
much happiness, success and good fortune.
Thank you for your patronage.
~ Winter Store Hours ~
Mon. - Fri. 6:30 am - 7 pm, Sat. 8 am - 7 pm, Sun. Closed
Please accept this
load of good cheer,
along with our thanks
for your business this year!
Have a great holiday!
Christmas Greetings
Brussels, Ontario
519-887-6122 • 1-800-667-8399
A unique Christmas experience
Ursina Studhalter, a former Queen of the Furrow for the Huron County Ploughing Match and
employee at McGavin’s Farm Equipment in Walton, remembers Christmas as it was in
Switzerland before her family emigrated to Huron County. Her recollection of the Christmas
celebration in her home north of Zurich, Switzerland is quite different from those Huron County
children become accustomed to growing up. (Photo submitted)
Dave Franken
CONCRETE FORMING
COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL
• Foundations • Floor Finishing
• Circular Tanks • Sandwich Walls
FREE ESTIMATES
RR #3 Blyth
519-523-9971
Wishing all our friends, customers and neighbours
a very Merry Christmas
and all the very best for the coming New Year.
Thank you for your business this past year,
we look forward to serving you in the future.
Dave, Lisa, Patrick & Rochelle
Continued on page 28
By Denny Scott
The Citizen