Overview of German Christmas customs
Christmas is the most important holiday of the year in Germany. It has a religious, Christian origin - Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ every year. Nowadays, it is also celebrated by non-believers and is a firm tradition; 25-26 December are public holidays.
In Germany, Christmas is traditionally celebrated with the family. On Christmas Eve (24 December), there is a decorated Christmas tree in almost every household, people eat a festive dinner together and gifts are distributed. By the way, friends also often give each other presents for Christmas.
Christmas is a celebration that is prepared for a long time - the four weeks of preparation for the Christmas Eve are called Advent.
Advent is the time of preparation for Christmas in Germany, during which one counts the days until Christmas Eve. Traditionally, Advent begins with the church evening prayer on the day before the first Sunday in Advent, four weeks before Christmas Eve. Advent is a reflective time, but at the same time it is also a period full of traditions: from the Advent wreath, Christmas markets and the Advent calendar to decorating the Christmas tree and the smell of biscuits and mulled wine.
This "countdown custom" begins on 1 December. It is a calendar with little doors, usually containing chocolate or small gifts. Children in particular are excited to open one door a day as they wait impatiently for Christmas. There are a variety of different types of Advent calendars, so everyone can find one they like - or make one themselves.
The Advent wreath is also a variation of the Advent calendar and symbolises the time of waiting for Christmas Eve. It consists of four candles that are often placed in a wreath made of fir branches. Every Sunday, beginning with the first Advent, one candle is lit. Advent Sundays begin four weeks before Christmas Eve, so it can sometimes happen that the first Advent is already in late November. Once all four candles are lit, Christmas Eve is not far away.
Christmas markets are a widespread tradition throughout Germany in the run-up to Christmas. Vendors usually set up their decorated stalls in the city centres and offer all kinds of things like handmade toys, jewellery, cuddly toys and Christmas decorations. Many stalls offer food and drink - no visit to the Christmas market is complete without a cup of mulled wine (this is also available non-alcoholic).
Find more information on Bochum's Christmas market here.
Put all ingredients in a pot and heat, but do not boil; leave to infuse for at least 15 minutes; then serve hot.
Biscuits are part of Advent and Christmas - a large selection of recipes in the latest magazines as well as on the Internet invites you to bake them. Gingerbread, cinnamon stars, vanilla crescents, butter biscuits and chocolate cookies are the typical Christmas biscuits. They are often baked together with friends or family and also given as gifts.
1. Knead the flour, sugar, butter, egg yolks, almonds, vanilla pod and salt into a dough.
2. Form 2 dough rolls and chill them in cling film for at least 2 hours in the fridge.
3. Cut the dough rolls into 30-35 slices each and shape into small croissants. They should not get warm – in case they don’t stay cold place in the fridge for a short time again.
4. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (convection oven 160°C) for approx. 15 minutes.
5. While still warm, carefully roll the croissants in vanilla sugar in a deep dish and leave to cool.
The highlight of the Christmas season is Christmas Eve - originally the birthday of Jesus Christ. In Germany, family, and sometimes friends, gather on 24 December to eat together and give each other presents. A traditional German Christmas meal is, for example, a sausage with potato salad or roast duck. After the meal, Christmas carols are often sung together before the gift-giving begins. On the two following holidays, other family members or friends are often visited.
A Christmas tree is a must on Christmas Eve. While everyone decorates their tree differently, there are a few standard decorative pieces. Almost every Christmas tree has baubles, a string of lights and a star at the top. Gifts are collected under the tree and then distributed and unwrapped on the evening of 24 December.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
How are thy leaves so verdant!
Not only in the summertime,
But even in winter is thy prime.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How are thy leaves so verdant!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure dost thou bring me!
For ev'ry year the Christmas tree,
Brings to us all both joy and glee.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure dost thou bring me!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are thy branches!
Not only green when summer's here
But in the coldest time of year.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are thy branches!
© Translation from The Bay View Magazine (1913), p. 175
