We enchant the world with chocolate

New Year

“Starting the New Year with Grandfather Frost”

The New Year celebrations, which extend over several days from December 31 to January 7, are a particular highlight of the Russian year. Russia, unlike other coun- tries, uses the Julian calendar (in keeping with the Orthodox tradition), according to which Christmas does not fall until January 7. Nevertheless, presents are distributed by Grandfather Frost already on December 31.

Chinese New Year

Traditional start of the New Year in China

Chinese New Year is determined by the traditional lunar calendar and falls between January 21 and February 21 each year. The celebrations last for 15 days, with most of the festivities occurring on the first five days. The Lantern Festival provides the crowning finale, exactly 15 days after the start.

International Women’s Day

Here’s to women!

Since 1917, March 8 has been the most important holiday of the year for Russian women. On this day, which combines Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, they are the center of attention and are totally spoiled. Partners, family, friends, and work colleagues present women with the first flowers of spring and with chocolate gifts to mark this special day. There is only one condition – they must not be yellow.

Happy Easter

70 and fabulous!

Since as far back as the 4th century, Easter has fallen on the Sunday after the first full moon in spring. Consequently, Easter can fall no earlier than March 22 and no later than April 25. The Christian festival has its origins in the Jewish Passover and in fertility festivals which were celebrated in the spring. For Christians, the resurrection of Jesus is the central event and Easter is therefore the most important festival in the year.
There are many myths about the origin of the Easter bunny, who hops into the Easter nests around the globe.

Mother’s Day

Viva la mamma!

The veneration of mothers dates back to antiquity. During their spring festivals, the ancient Greeks paid homage to “Rhea”, goddess of the earth and fertility. Mother’s Day has its origin in the early American women’s movement at the end of the 19th century. At that time, Ann Maria Jarvis, a pastor’s wife, was trying to improve the social situation of workers’ families. In 1914, her daughter, Anna Marie Jarvis, finally achieved the introduction in the USA of the first official Mother’s Day in honor of mothers, which is now familiar to us throughout the Western world.

Midsummer Festival

The most Swedish of all holidays is the Midsummer Festival on the longest day of the year. Whole Sweden is in holiday mood between June 19 and 25, the highlight being St. John’s Day. Traditionally, Midsummer’s Day is celebrated by partying with family and friends in the countryside, often all through the light summer’s night. The celebrations include dancing around the midsummer pole, lots of singing, garlands of flowers, strawberries and traditional dishes. Furthermore, the magical night is very much given over to love and is a popular date for weddings.

World Chocolate Day

There is no better day in the year than July 7 for expanding your chocolate horizons. Launched in America in 2003 by the National Confectioners Association, the day is dedicated worldwide to the enjoyment of fine chocolate. It commemorates July 7, 1550, when chocolate first reached the European continent. Everything else is also part of the corporate history of Lindt & Sprüngli, which extends back over 175 years.

National holiday

Switzerland celebrates in red and white!

Switzerland has celebrated August 1 as Swiss National Day since 1891. The date derives from one of the first treaties between the three cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden. Together, they form the core of present-day Switzerland, which took over five centuries to evolve. “At the beginning of the month of August 1291”, representatives from these three cantons sealed an eternal covenant in which they swore to assist and support one another.

Off to school!

The summer holidays are over, and with boundless energy children are heading off to primary school for the first time. For schoolchildren across the world, this exciting time is marked by numerous traditions, from the cone of goodies for the first day of school and small bouquets of flowers for the teachers to special school uniforms which immediately tell teachers which age group the pupils are in. But there is one thing that almost all of these traditions have in common: Parents accompany their children on this important day and give them small gifts and little surprises to support them on their first educational steps.

Halloween

Trick or treat!

The Irish origin of Halloween goes back to one of the four major Celtic festivals, “Samhain”. Samhain essentially means the “end of summer” and was celebrated on the eve of November 1, when Celts believed that the gates to the underworld were open. On the eve of “Oíche Shamhna” the dead were said to wander the earth again to visit their relatives and were welcomed with sweets and lights. But those who were afraid that the dead might want to take revenge on them disguised themselves with the purpose to drive away evil spirits.

Thanksgiving Day

The American holiday of Thanksgiving Day always falls on the fourth Thursday in November. For many families in the USA, this national holiday, an expression of gratitude deeply rooted in society, is even more important than Christmas. Traditionally, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated with family and friends and the prayer of thanks before the shared meal is one of the most important customs.

Sinterklaas

For many people, this is the most beautiful time of the year to spend with family and friends. The Christmas magic begins on December 1 when the first door of the Advent calendar is opened. But it also includes visits to the Christmas market, the Advent wreath, delicious Christmas cookies and exquisite chocolate gifts.
There are a wide range of St. Nicholas Day traditions around the world, but most of them go back to Saint Nicholas of Myra. In the Netherlands, the most important family event takes place as early as December 5. “Sinterklaas” arrives by ship from Spain and brings gifts to the children who are waiting longingly for him at the ports. Incidentally, Dutch migrants took this tradition with them to North America, and that was the origin of Santa Claus.