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CHRISTMAS - WEIHNACHTEN<br />
THE “FEST” IS THE “BEST”<br />
Christmas, or WEIHNACHTEN, is considered to<br />
be the most wonderful time of the year by Germans.<br />
To be “kissed” by Christmas season does not mean<br />
to only worship Christmas shopping! Germans don’t<br />
even celebrate “boxing day”!<br />
The Germans’ most important wish is “happiness and<br />
peace for all”. All of us live different Christmas traditions<br />
such as cutting down a tree at our favourite Christmas<br />
farm, to enjoy “Advents Sundays” listening to grandma’s<br />
music box, but most of all we love our four candles on the<br />
“Adventskranz” sweetened by the smell of Mum’s handmade<br />
“Baumkuchen”. Some of these traditions may have been<br />
passed on for generations. They are perfect to bring the<br />
whole family together to celebrate.<br />
“I AM DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS”<br />
The most popular song, not only on German radio, the<br />
Christmas Carol symbolizes dreams of the deep and merry<br />
wish of a Winter Wonderland. Unfortunately it only snows<br />
about every years in the lower regions (the temperature in<br />
December is mainly about 28-40 degrees Fahrenheit). But<br />
you might be lucky to enjoy snow in the higher regions such<br />
as Bavaria and the Black Forest.<br />
LOVELY MAGIC ADVENT! CHRISTMAS SEASON<br />
COMES EARLY IN GERMANY<br />
to be picked up by the Christkind at the beginning of the<br />
Advent season.<br />
People celebrate St Thomas day on December 21st, the<br />
shortest day and the longest night of the year. December<br />
24th is THE day of exchanging all the gifts! All kids around<br />
the world would be quite jealous knowing that German<br />
children received their presents 12 hours earlier! The next<br />
few days are rather quiet and peaceful, visiting friends and<br />
family. Germans are a little less consumption-oriented than<br />
the US or Great Britain. December 26th, is our second<br />
Christmas day and we relax in a very festive atmosphere.<br />
TURKEYS ARE SAFE IN GERMANY!<br />
Generally speaking, Germans are no big snack or junk food<br />
eaters. But no need to worry, you definitely won’t go hungry.<br />
On Christmas Eve we generally eat light food such as a<br />
simple potato salad and sausages. On Christmas day the<br />
family tucks into stuffed or roast goose (Weihnachtsgans)<br />
with red cabbage and potato dumplings (Kartoffelklöße)<br />
and wine-flavoured sauce. There is no special technique<br />
144<br />
As soon as the first Christmas feeling is in the air the<br />
countdown starts several weeks ahead with the Advent<br />
season. This period is the time of waiting, hope, love,<br />
peace and joy for all. Inviting the family to slow down and<br />
celebrate with the scent of fresh pine green in every room!<br />
Isn’t that lovely smell of baked apples, cinnamon and<br />
marzipan what Christmas is all about? Advent invites us to<br />
take a deep breath and to appreciate this most wonderful<br />
time of the year. In some parts of the country, mainly in<br />
the Southeast, children write letters to the “Christkind”<br />
asking for presents. These letters are decorated with sugar<br />
which is glued to the envelope to make it look attractive and<br />
sparkling. Children leave these letters on the windowsill
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