Sinister, Unhealthy Swiss Christmas traditions

When I live in Switzerland back in 2001, I was told by my painting instructor about a quaint Swiss Christmas traditional.  Santa not only keeps a naughty and nice list but he brings the muscle to back it up.  Thats right - he travels with Schmutzli. Schmutzli resembles Santa with a beard and cloak except that he is dressed in black. He carries a broom for whomping naughty kids and a sack to take them away if they are really bad.  I found the Swiss children to be very well behaved!


samichlausfaellanden.ch

Another interesting item acquired in Switzerland was a sweet little advent calendar made by playmobile.  It features Santa and a couple of  angels baking in a heavenly kitchen.  It was cute until Santa and the big angel decided to go all psycho.

Finally, the Swiss are really health conscious except when it comes to smoking.  Their Christmas decorations are even hooked.  Here is one of my favorites in the form of a wizard.  He enjoys a good pipe.  His feet come off to reveal a small stand for burning incense.  Once back together the incense smoke exits his mouth.  I tried to take a film but the smoke is impossible to see.  He has many uses such as masking the smell of a litterbox or convincing your mom that he's the only one in the room smoking.