And the ones that are older have been heavily modified. Even what we think of as old traditions are usually remarkably new in how they're done, even if the concept has been around for generations.

When people want "traditional [thing]", what they usually mean is "I want it like it was when I was a teenager".

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Samichlaus, giving presents and Schmutzli with the rod, to punish bad children. When we still had snow in winter.

Btw, Samichlaus and Schmutzli been christianized (though in november, not christmas like american Santa Claus) but it's actually a pagan tradition.

[–] ChickenLadyLovesLife 2 points 2 months ago

Santa Claus

Even Santa Claus coming down the chimney to give presents to children got its real start with St. Nicholas sneaking into people's houses in Constantinople to leave bags of gold so the parents wouldn't have to sell their children into slavery.