The German Christmas celebration typically begins with Saint Nicholas Eve on December 6. The holiday continues until January 6 which is Twelfth Night. Throughout the weeks of Advent, Germans celebrate many special traditions that encompass everything from gifts to food to religious observance.
Gift Giving
Children receive gifts on St. Nicholas Day (December 6), a day that honors a fourth-century bishop. A man dresses up as St. Nicholas and questions the children regarding whether or not they have been good over the past year. If they have been good, they receive small gifts. If they have been bad, they receive switches. Some children also put out their shoes on the night of St. Nicholas Day so St. Nicholas will fill them with presents.
Children write to the Christ child to request their Christmas gifts each year. They decorate the letter with sugar and leave it on the window sill that night where the Christ child will see it sparkling.
Gifts are exchanged on Christmas Eve. Children often receive gifts of toys that have been homemade by family members.
Unique Christmas Traditions
The tradition of the Christmas tree (tannenbaum) was started in Germany by Martin Luther, a German minister. According to legend, he saw small evergreens outside while walking under the stars and decided his family would greatly enjoy having one in the home. He brought one home, put it on a table, and decorated it with many candles to represent Christ as the light of the world.
German families in the past would place a pickle on the Christmas tree as the last decoration. The child who found it on Christmas Day would be blessed with good fortune in the coming year. In German homes today, the Christmas tree is decorated on Christmas Eve behind closed doors. The mother does the decorating and the rest of the family sees it for the first time that evening after returning from church services.
Religious Christmas Observances
Families use an advent wreath starting the first Sunday after November 26. The wreath has four candles that are lit each Sunday following and then on Christmas Eve. The advent wreath focuses on the coming of Christ both the first time as a baby and then in the future.
Families attend church worship services on Christmas Eve. After the service they return home for a special meal and the revealing of the Christmas tree for the first time.
People around the world celebrate special Christmas traditions. In Germany, this includes the advent wreath, decorating the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, St. Nicholas Day, and hiding a pickle in the Christmas tree.
Learn more about special Christmas celebrations in Sweden.
Sallie Schaaf Borrink - Sallie Borrink is a professional writer with extensive experience with business clients, the consumer market, and online destinations.
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