Christmas trees and smoking – a living tradition in Salzburg. Both customs have their origins among Protestants and Celts.
Straw stars, balls and sweets hang on the Christmas tree. For many, the decorated tree really brings Christmas into the living room. The actual peasant Christmas tree, however, is an invention. In Salzburg, the first tree was only in the hands of a Protestant entrepreneur at the beginning of the 19th century, and there are numerous customs adopted around the holidays. For example smoking. Already the Celts practiced protective rites for the new year at this time of the year. However, it seems paradoxical that pagan customs were introduced during the holidays on which Christians now celebrate the birth of Jesus (December 25th). But they are now a permanent fixture, and smoking with herbs should keep mischief away. Later banned by Maria Theresa, the custom remained part of Salzburg despite its Celtic and Jewish roots. With smoking pans, ghosts and misfortune are banished from the room and barn even today. In the nights up to Dreikönig (January 6th), no laundry should be allowed to dry on the line. Evil spirits are said to move in especially in sheets. There is still a Catholic peculiarity this year: If St. Stephen’s Day (December 26th) falls on a Sunday, the church does not remember the martyr Stephen, but Mary, Joseph and Jesus.
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