For the Germans, as well as for the whole Catholic world, the most important holiday of the year is the Nativity of Christ. They begin to prepare for this celebration in a few months, observing all the ancient traditions of this people is mandatory for every person. Therefore, now we will consider in detail when Christmas is celebrated in Germany, what date, what the holiday is characterized by, what are its features and much more.
What is Christmas for Germans?
Perhaps, only one holiday of the year the inhabitants of this country spend in a warm family circle. Children who live their lives long ago come to their parents, bringing their grandchildren with them. Distant relatives become closer to each other, and old friends again begin to be friends. When Christmas is celebrated in Germany, it is customary to forgive each other all insults, all debts and quarrels. Close people gather in a close circle, have dinner together, give each other gifts and just talk. All this for the Germans - ancient traditions that they honor and support from year to year. They have the greatest value to the nation.
Determine the exact date
Starting from the end of November, a real parade of Santa Clauses opens on all the streets of Germany. Some of them perform the most difficult tricks (they climb walls, ride ropes), others surprise the audience with their inventions, and others just sleep at the entrance to shops and cafes. All this action comes to a climax when Christmas is celebrated in Germany. And this happens not on December 25, as in most Catholic countries, but on the 24th. For the Germans, the most important day of the year is precisely Christmas Eve, that evening for which they are preparing for several months. It is he who is accompanied by the famous Holy Supper, the gathering of relatives and friends, the forgiveness of all insults and other rituals of this country.
Advent calendar and its secrets
Cooking for Christmas here is not only about cleaning the house, cooking, and so on. To understand the whole mystery of this celebration, you need to purchase a special Advent calendar (wreath), which is used by the Germans, from December 1 to December 24. When Christmas is celebrated in Germany, in every house from the 1st of the month this wreath is made of cones, coniferous branches, clusters of mountain ash and ribbons. Every Sunday (that is, every Advent), they hook a candle to a wreath and light it. Just in time for Christmas, there are 4 candles left on it, which means the arrival of the Holy Evening. As a rule, children like to light candles. They adore this tradition and always choose both a wreath and all its components. We also note that the most diverse candles are produced here. They can have both a traditional shape and be in the form of animals, geometric shapes, angels, and so on.
Ancestral Traditions and History
From December 1 to the very moment when Christmas is celebrated in Germany (December 24), the history of the appearance of Christ the Savior in dolls is displayed behind the glass windows of most stores. This is a kind of imitation of the national theater "nativity scene", which was popular throughout Europe and even in Russia in the 17-20th centuries. Dolls and other toys, as well as handmade props show us scenes. They tell about the birth of Jesus, about how the Virgin Mary protected him, about how Herod ordered to destroy all the babies in Bethlehem, and other facts from the Bible. It is noteworthy that these dolls are not for sale. They exhibit annually only so that children can learn as much as possible about the life of the Savior, and adults - once again plunge into a fairy tale and forget about their everyday problems. However, the stores sell everything they need to make such toys with their own hands. That's what the kids in Germany are doing on Christmas Eve.
Gifts that Germans love
As in all countries of the world when Christmas is celebrated in Germany, it is customary to give each other presents. For each individual nation, there are traditions, but this people they are gradually erased, unfortunately. That’s why we came to this conclusion. About 70 percent of state residents prefer to receive money or gift vouchers for Christmas. The second most important gift is a book. In third place is smart technology (phones, tablets, etc.). Children love to receive toys and sweets as gifts. It is customary for women to give cosmetics, jewelry, souvenirs or just products. A small percentage of people like to receive vouchers to various tropical corners of the world as a gift. But the most unloved by the Germans present are socks.
Home Furnishings on Christmas Eve
As in our country, as in Africa and Indonesia, on the eve of Christmas (or New Year), the Germans carefully sort out all their things. They throw out unnecessary trash, thereby cleaning their home from bad energy. By the Holy Supper, every home has an ideal order, and at the same time the most delicious dishes are prepared. Most of the population of Germany decorates a Christmas tree. It is noteworthy here that the Germans mainly install not northern conifers in houses, but southern ones, that is, thuja or fir. Traditional jewelry - tinsel, balls, figures of angels and stars.
Festive table in the old days and today
Perhaps, only culinary traditions that stretch from the depths of centuries remain unchanged. They are presented as obligatory dishes on all tables, which are exhibited when they celebrate Christmas in Germany. The year 2015 to be gone through will not differ from, say, 1886. As before, Christmas Eve will be celebrated on December 24, and all tables will be crowned with a duck or a goose. This is a traditional German bird that is baked for this celebration. To her, the Germans prepare potato salad with sausages, rolls with almonds, often serve fondue as a dessert. The main drinks are red wine and beer (not champagne).
