CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY CHRISTMAS FIGURES IN GERMANY

Advent Wreaths Christmas.

Nutcracker

Christmas gifts

St. Nicholas

The Christmas tree

Christmas pyramid

Smokers

Authentic German Music Boxes

Candle Arches

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Advent Wreaths Christmas.

The advent wreath has four candles and Christmas decorations. The four candles represent the four Sundays before the birth of Jesus. The circle is a universal symbol for the continuous cycle of the seasons. The circle is a universal symbol for the continuous cycle of the seasons, while lighted candles signify the persistence of life in the middle of hard and dark winter.

Nutcracker

Authentic German Christmas Nutcrackers. The Nutcracker was first developed around 1870 and is nowadays one of the most famous representatives of the Erzgebirge. Often the Nutcracker is the image of authorities from the past. Especially kings, soldiers and gendarmes are often used as a model

Christmas gifts

In Germany, gifts are not given by St. Nicholas on December 25th. Gifts are not given by the three wise men on January 6th. Gifts are distributed on Christmas Eve (am Heiligen Abend). Gifts are given by the Christkind.

St. Nicholas

In Germany, the sixth day of December is a very special day for children, St. Nicholas is celebrated. Children put a shoe on the fireplace the night before and they receive candy as a gift.

The Christmas tree

The Christmas tree should be natural. The Germans go into the woods in search of a big, beautiful, leafy tree. They decorate the tree with Christmas decorations.

Christmas pyramid

It is a kind of carousel with several levels, some depicting Christian motifs such as angels or manger scenes, and others with more secular motifs such as mountain-folk, forests, and other scenes from the everyday life of people in the Erzgebirge. The spinning motion of the pyramids is traditionally achieved with the help of candles whose rising heat spins a propeller above.

Smokers

The first smoker was developed around 1850 in Heidelberg close to Seiffen. At first dough served as material. Mostly figures of the everyday life were used as motif. Nowadays also Santa Claus and other modern motives are manufactured

Authentic German Music Boxes

The invention of the Music Box goes back to 18th Century. At first it was a simple toy, which was turned by hand and sounded quite wooden. Around 1930 the Music Box developed into what it is today. Inside is a filigree mechanical play work and the detailed designs display angels, the Holy Story, nativity scenes, scenes from everyday life and fairy tale motifs

Candle Arches

The first predecessor of Candle Arches (Schwibbogen) was manufactured 1726 from wrought iron. The German name Schwibbogen refers to a type of arch constructed in gothic times when an arch between two walls was called "Schwebebogen" (floating arch)

DECORATION OF OUR STAND

We think decorating the stand with a collage. Figures will be glued on the collage. The images will be projected from a laptop too. Each image will have a description.