What Are Christmas Traditions In Germany
The wonderful tradition of the christmas tree which started in germany is the heart of the celebration.
What are christmas traditions in germany. Christmas eve is the most important time of the christmas season for families. Another german christmas tradition we discovered is that every place in germany makes its own special christmas biscuit. Read here about the best german christmas markets to visit. When it comes to german christmas traditions the holiday season simply isn t complete without a nice slice of stollen the traditional german christmas cake.
Here are some of the beloved customs you might find on a trip to germany or in your own hometown. The tradition of advent wreaths was started by german lutherans in the 16th century and today the wreath is still an icon of christmas in germany. While there are many german christmas traditions here are a few i particularly love. Over christmas and the new year in germany and austria the famous ski jumping four hills tournament vierschanzentournee is held it starts in germany with oberstdorf germany on the 29th or 30th december and garmisch partenkirchen germany on new year s day and continues in austria with innsbruck austria on 3rd or 4th of january and bischofshofen austria on the 6th january.
More on the german way photos. The advent calendar can be traced to 19th century germany. The festive season is started with the advent celebrations in preparation to the arrival of baby jesus on christmas day. Protestant families were known to mark the days leading up to christmas with a chalk line.
The wreath consists of four candles in a bed of pine cones berries dried flowers and christmas ornaments. It s similar to a standard holiday fruit cake but it s sprinkled with powdered sugar and sometimes includes a zest for an extra kick. Advent in germany always starts on the fourth sunday before christmas day the 25th of december. Some even say it is a magical night when animals can speak.
In germany christmas traditions are alive and well during december. Usually the christmas tree stays in the living room until the end of the christmas season. Different families have different traditions when it comes to adventskranz. Many christmas customs north americans recognize as their own actually began in europe with most of the traditions hailing from germany.
After the christmas tree decorations are finished the kitchen becomes the busiest place. Christmas in germany typical advent traditions. By the way the christmas tree is the most popular german christmas tradition which was exported and adopted overseas. Many of these customs originated in germany and austria.
Christmas traditions in austria germany switzerland although we often take today s christmas celebration customs for granted most of the so called traditional christmas practices only date back to the 19th century.