Comments on: Thursday Thirteen #31 - German Christmas Traditions

By: J. Lynne

J. Lynne — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:51:49 +0000

One of my friends married a German woman and has spent several Christmases visiting her family over there. From everything he has told me, it sounds enchanting. I hope you have a wonderful time.

Happy belated TT!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 18:30:54 +0000

Considering I am of German heritage, these are some interesting facts I didn’t know before. My TT is up too.

By: Gattina

Gattina — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:58:16 +0000

You did it very well, although it changes from “land” to “land” in Southern Germany in the middle and the north it is celebrated differently. But for everybody counts the Christmas eve where the gifts are opened. When I was a child I wasn’t allowed in the room where the Christmas tree was put up, I spend the time waiting in my room ! What a suspense. When the little bell rang, the window also was open and I ran through the room to look out of the window because I absolutely wanted to the Baby Jesus (or Christ child) Christkind. (not an angel) But I never saw it ! Today a lot has changed people are doing outside decorations and every tree is more colorful it depends on the families. Children now are also allowed to decorate the tree with the parents. What you describe was really like that when I was a child. You can find some stories about traditions on my blog. Just scroll down a bit. I am German but I live since many years in Belgium.

By: Carol

Carol — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:35:39 +0000

Wish I could go to Germany with you. I loved the photo of the skiing accident (sorry about that, too). J is marrying a beautiful woman.

By: Nicholas

Nicholas — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:07:05 +0000

I love the idea of rivers of wine! So much more fun than non-alcoholic fruit punch! I hadn’t heard the expression “The Pretty German Toy” before though I did know that Christmas trees had been introduced to Britain by Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg when he married Queen Victoria.

By: Greatfullivin

Greatfullivin — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 05:28:49 +0000

What a wonderful list. I want to go to Germany for Christmas too. Hope you have a wonderful time. Sounds like it would be hard not to. I bet the wedding will be awesome.

By: Roth's Rudiments

Roth's Rudiments — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 05:27:33 +0000

I love your post! Happy TT!

By: beth

beth — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 05:03:21 +0000

Yeah - can you believe that! And that’s not the half of it. Something I read said they had to start the holidays sooner because they have so many traditions they can’t fit it all in! I believe it too!

The same is true of their weddings. They have so many traditions that you literally can’t do them all. lol

Thanks for coming by!

By: SJ Reidhead

SJ Reidhead — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 05:02:49 +0000

Excellent. I’ve learned something.

The Pink Flamingo

By: Damozel

Damozel — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 04:26:43 +0000

Wow, Christmas in Germany sounds like way more fun than Christmas here. Rivers turning to wine, suckling pigs, demons if you don’t eat; wow. I never knew any of that—thanks so much for this fascinating post.