Adventskranz During the advent season we have a "Adventskranz". Every Sunday we light one candle so on the Sunday before Christmas all candles are lit. Adventskalender
Children often get an "Adventskalender" by their parents. Starting form the 1st of december they always may open one door per day. In the calender are little presents and sweets Weihnachtsmärkte/ Christkindlmarkt
These markets can be found in all German cities and towns. They usually start at the 1st of december and last till the 24th of december Nikolaus
On St. Nikolaus day (6th of december) St Nikolaus (usually a diguised family member or friend of the family) visits the children and brings them presents. Traditionally he brought fruits like oranges or apples as well as nuts and sweets. The children usually preform something to the Nikolaus like a poem or a song. With this tradition people remember th holy "Nikolaus von Myra" |
Glühwein
This drink is made out of whine, spices (cinemon, cloves,...), lemon peel and sugar. It is a hot drink that one can be found on all Christmas markets, but people also like to drink it at home with friends or family. For children their is a similar drink without alcohol. Lebkuchen
They are typical sweets, which we eat during the Adventszeit. It is made out of a special dough containing amongst other things honey, spices and different nuts or/and chocolate. Plätzchen
Their are a lot of different kinds of Plätzchen. They can be bought, but a lot of people also like to make them themselves. |
Family day
On the 24th of december families go to chruch together. In church they iften play the scene abou Jesus birth. Later the family has dinner together at home. Decoration
At the 24th of december people will put up a Christmas tree adn decorate it with lights and other docorations. Some people also decorate their home with a Christmas crib, which shows baby Jesus in a cirb, his parents, the shepherds as well as ox and donkey next to him. Over the scene angels who report the birth of God's son. Ususally they already show the holy three kings, although their day is on the 6th of january. The churches only add the figures to their cribs on the 6th of january |