Christmas in Christmas in GermanyGermany

AdventskranzAdventskranz

In Germany the In Germany the Christmas celebrations Christmas celebrations start a lot earlier than in start a lot earlier than in England. Most German England. Most German families have an families have an AdventskranzAdventskranz (a type (a type of wreath). There are of wreath). There are four candles on the four candles on the AdventskranzAdventskranz and one and one is lit on each of the four is lit on each of the four Sundays leading up to Sundays leading up to Christmas day.Christmas day.

AdventskalenderAdventskalender

Most German children Most German children also have an also have an AdventskalenderAdventskalender. . These are also popular These are also popular in England now. For in England now. For each day up to each day up to Christmas, there is a Christmas, there is a door to be opened. door to be opened. Sometimes behind this Sometimes behind this door you will find a door you will find a picture, sometimes a picture, sometimes a chocolate chocolate

St. NiklausSt. Niklaus

On the eve of the 6th On the eve of the 6th December, German December, German children are visited by children are visited by St. NiklausSt. Niklaus (Santa (Santa Claus). Claus).

They leave their shoes They leave their shoes or boots out and when or boots out and when they wake they find they wake they find them filled with them filled with chocolates, fruit, nuts, chocolates, fruit, nuts, sweets and St Niklaus sweets and St Niklaus figures. figures.

Der heilige AbendDer heilige Abend German families German families

celebrate Christmas on celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve (Christmas Eve (der der heilige Abendheilige Abend). ).

The parents decorate The parents decorate the tree in the the tree in the Weihnachtszimmer Weihnachtszimmer (Christmas room) with (Christmas room) with apples, sometimes with apples, sometimes with real candles, glass real candles, glass balls (balls (KugelnKugeln) and ) and with with EngelshaarEngelshaar (‘angel’s hair’ – tinsel). (‘angel’s hair’ – tinsel).

Der WeihnachtsbaumDer Weihnachtsbaum

At the top of the At the top of the tree the parents tree the parents put a star (put a star (SternStern) )

and at the foot of and at the foot of the tree is the crib the tree is the crib ((die Krippedie Krippe).).

Das ChristkindDas Christkind

Now it’s time for the Now it’s time for the Christ Child (Christ Child (das das ChristkindChristkind) or the ) or the WeihnachtsmannWeihnachtsmann (Father Christmas) who (Father Christmas) who brings the presents. brings the presents.

When he has been, the When he has been, the children are allowed children are allowed into the into the Weihnachtszimmer for Weihnachtszimmer for die die BescherungBescherung (distribution of (distribution of presents). presents).

Das WeihnachtsessenDas Weihnachtsessen The Germans often The Germans often

eat carp (Karpfen) eat carp (Karpfen) for their Christmas for their Christmas meal. meal.

This is usually This is usually followed by goose followed by goose ((der der WeihnachtsgansWeihnachtsgans).).

Das WeihnachtsessenDas Weihnachtsessen

Other German Other German Christmas foods Christmas foods are are LebkuchenLebkuchen, , which are spicy which are spicy ginger biscuits, and ginger biscuits, and StollenStollen, which is , which is the German the German Christmas cake.Christmas cake.

Jingle BellsJingle Bells

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,klingt es weit und breit.klingt es weit und breit.Schön ist eine Schön ist eine SchlittenfahrtSchlittenfahrtim Winter wenn es schneit.im Winter wenn es schneit.Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,klingt es weit und breit.klingt es weit und breit.Mach' mit mirMach' mit mir  'ne Schneeballschlacht,  'ne Schneeballschlacht,der Winter steht bereit!der Winter steht bereit!