Christmas Traditions in Germany Christmas is celebrated all around the world. Each country has different customs and traditions. Learn about the Christmas traditions in Germany. Different countries celebrate in their own way including different dates, food, drinks which lead to a variety of diverse Christmas traditions around the World! This article features popular German Christmas traditions detailing the celebrations, gift giving, Santa Claus and other customs followed in Germany. We have even included some useful facts and information about Germany, the German flag and even the language!
Flag of Germany
Christmas Traditions in Germany A tradition is a specific practice of long standing in which unwritten customs and practices are passed from one generation to the next. Traditions and customs form part of a country's culture and heritage. The following information provides some fast, interesting facts about German customs and Christmas traditions in Germany:
December 6 is Nikolaustag (Saint Nicholas' Day). Traditionally, a shoe is left outside the door on the eve December 5 and children hope that the following morning they will find small gifts if they had been good - or a rod if they had been bad
The German markets are one of the famous Christmas traditions in Germany. Striezelmarkt, in Dresden, is the name of one of the oldest German markets
"Krippenspiele" (nativity plays) are staged
The Christmas Trees are often put up in December at the latest on December 24. Many tree decorations and the custom of Christmas trees originated in Germany
A scary character called "Knecht Ruprecht" (the servant Ruprecht) who dresses in dark clothes and carries a small stick sometimes accompanies St. Nicholas. The Knecht Ruprecht is supposed to punish children who haven't behaved during the year!
Gift-giving, "Bescherung", usually takes place on Christmas Eve when gifts are sometimes brought by the Weihnachtsmann (meaning "Christmas man"), a similar character to Santa Claus
Another traditional visitor in Germany is an angel called Das Christkind (the Christ child) and the Christkindl (Christ Child's messenger) who is a beautiful fair-haired girl with a shining crown of candles who visits each house with a basket of gifts
Christmas traditions in Germany
Christmas Traditions in Germany - The Food! What do people eat in other countries at this special time of the year? Festive feasts and recipes are traditional for special occasions including family dinners and meals. Interesting facts about the special food eaten as part of the customs and Christmas traditions in Germany:
Honey-based Gingerbread cookies are called Lebkuchen - this German tradition has been adopted by many other countries around the world
German bakers began baking Gingerbread houses of lebkuchen and even employed artists and craftsmen to decorate them!
Christbaumgeback, is a pastry moulded into Xmas shapes and baked for tree decorations in Germany
Carp, potato salad with frankfurter or wiener sausages are popular in Germany on Xmas Eve
A typical Christmas dinner in Germany would be a roast dinner of goose, duck, pork or turkey
Christmas traditions in Germany
German Christmas Vocabulary How do you say Merry Christmas in Germany? If you have friends or family who live, or have ties with, a different country it is a nice gesture to add a seasons greetings in the language of the country. A practical addition to learning about Christmas traditions in Germany:
How do you say Merry Christmas in German? "Frohliche Weihnachten!"
What is the name for Santa Claus? Weihnachtsmann
Christmas traditions in Germany
Facts and Information about Germany Learn a little about the country of Germany, as well as its Christmas traditions! The following information provides some fast, interesting facts about Germany:
Location: Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark
German Land Size : 349,223 sq km
German Climate / Weather : temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind
German Capital City: Berlin
German Currency : euro (EUR)
Facts and Information about the German Flag Facts and info about the flag of Germany:
The flag of Germany is described as: Three equal horizontal bands of black , red and gold
The history of the German flag: German National flags were banned by the Allies in Germany after the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. On May 9, 1949 the black-red-gold flag was adopted as the federal flag for the Federal Republic of West Germany flag. 1990 - East Germany was reunited with the Federal Republic
Christmas Traditions in Germany This article provides an overview of the country and the different Christmas traditions in Germany. Lots of free, facts and information for kids, children and teachers! Popular German Christmas traditions detailing the celebrations, gift giving, Santa Claus and other customs followed in Germany.
Christmas Traditions in Germany
Christmas Traditions in Germany
German Christmas traditions and customs
Festive greetings in German
Interesting Facts and Info about Germany
Read about Christmas Traditions around the World
Christmas Traditions around the world including Germany
Traditions for teachers, kids and children
Christmas traditions in Germany
Free, useful facts and interesting information about Xmas traditions in Germany
Christmas Traditions in Germany
Christmas Traditions in Germany
"Merry Christmas, have a happy and prosperous New Year!"
