Switzerland (Luzern) : public and bank holidays, closure of banks, stock exchanges, school vacations

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Catholic or protestant : Saint Leodegar or Leger, Bishop of Autun (c. 615 – Sarcing, Somme October 2, 679), was the great opponent of Ebroin— the mayor of the Palace of Neustria— and the leader of the faction of Austrasian great nobles in the struggles for hegemony over the waning Merovingian dynasty. His torture and death made him a martyr and saint of the Roman Catholic Church, which embraced the cause of the Austrasian mayors of the palace, the Arnulfings, in the following century, anointed as the Carolingian dynasty. Wikipedia

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Catholic or protestant : The day now honors all saints of the church, even those not known by name. The first All Saints' Day occurred on May 13, 609 (C.E.) when Pope Boniface IV accepted the Pantheon as a gift from the Emperor Phocas. Boniface dedicated it as the Church of Santa Maria Rotonda in honor of the Blessed Virgin and all martyrs. During Pope Gregory III's reign (731-741), the festival was expanded to include all saints and a chapel in St. Peter's church was dedicated accordingly. Pope Gregory IV officially designated the day in 837.

Culture : The small town of Sursee upholds a custom, which is unique in Switzerland. Participants of all ages try to cut down a suspended dead goose with one single sabre cut, while blindfolded. www.luzern.com

cards/flowers : A festival for children related to surviving legends of the saint, and particularly his reputation as a bringer of gifts.

Catholic : Dogma that Mary was from the first moment of conception, totally free from the stain of original sin.

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Catholic or protestant : Since pre-historic times in Europe, festivities (bonfires, offrerings) were marking the beginning of longer hours of daylight with fires and ritual. The Roman festival of Saturnalia lasted several days in December (gambling and offerings). Germanic tribes also celebrated mid-winter (drinking and rituals). The Bulgarian (with Koleduvane) and the Polish (with Gwiazdka) perpetuate this tradition. Jesus of Nazareth was probably born in springtime (Reformists favour autumn). But in the 4th century, December 25th was chosen for the celebration of his birth by Pope Julius I (Bishop Liberus is also mentioned in 354 A.D.). Thus, a Christian element was introduced in the long-established mid-winter festivals. Before 1582, the Papal States and other Italian city states celebrated New Year’s Day on Christmas Day

Catholic or protestant : Christian remembrance of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr.