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WHILE we're sweltering in Australia, those in Switzerland are doing the exact opposite. Although it's cold, the Swiss know how to put on a festive Christmas.

THERE'S something special about Switzerland in winter, especially around Christmas time.

The Swiss know how to put on Christmas ... big time. While we turn over prawns on the barbie, they're setting up extravagant Christmas trees (in between mulled wines, of course). Here, seven reasons why Switzerland is awesome around Christmas time.

1. It's totally normal to dress up ... Christmas style. In fact, people go all out when it comes to Christmas. St Nicholas, an angel, whatever - locals love getting in on the Christmas spirit.Dressing up is totally in around Christmas time.

2. Those who don't dress up just look cool. It's in their blood. The Swiss ooze style, and those who don't go all out with their Christmas gear, just look super swish in their everyday gear, even when it's cold. The Swiss ooze style ... so do their kids ... it's scary. Picture: Tatyana Leonov. 3. And those who don't look trendy, but don't really go all out when they dress up, can do the half way in between thing and win anyone over with a smile. A smile and a Christmas hat is a winning combination.

3. They have a Singing Christmas Tree in Zurich. I mean who does that? Who dresses their kids in cute green and red outfits, then has them climb into a tree and sing songs ... obviously parents in Zürich. And everyone comes to watch - it's like a Christmas calender highlight!Yep, that's kids in a Christmas tree.

4. They have cheese. Lots of it. Everywhere. And there's mulled wine. It's a foodies mecca.Mountains of cheese is not an exaggeration at any of the Christmas markets in Switzerland.

5. They have lots of other 'interesting' food, often served by 'interesting' people.I don't know what's more interesting, the moustache or the sausage.

6. At night, the streets are just beautiful ... something to do with all the Christmas lights perhaps.At night the streets in Zürich are lit up by Christmas lights.

7. When it snows (which it often does in certain areas of Switzerland during Christmas) it's just magic. A completely opposite magic to the kind we experience here in Australia. When it snows it's magic.

And if you don't get there for Christmas this year, keep up to date with what might be happening next year with Switzerland Tourism.