Christmas in Germany

Froehliche Weihnachten! That's German for Marry Christmas! Use this helpful guide to traditional, German, Christmas festivities and celebrate like your ancestors! This is a great way to brush up on some historical customs!

German, Christmas Traditions

A Month Full of Christmas

In Germany, Christmas celebrations begin as early as December 1st. Germans are usually busy baking cookies and creating little dolls made out of dried fruit.

Gingerbread Houses

Gingerbread houses are a huge tradition in Germany. As is the German Christmas tree pastry, Christbaumgeback, which is a white dough that can be molded into shapes and baked for tree decorations.

The Advent Wreath

Lighting the candles of an Advent wreath is a popular tradition that seems to have begun in Germany. Beginning with the first Sunday before Christmas, a candle is lit each week until Christmas. Christmas fir trees are also hugely popular in Germany and many families are known to have more than one.

The Christ Child

Christkind (Christ child) is the mythical figure that is believed to leave presents for good children on Christmas day. He is derived from St. Nicholas (the patron saint of children) and is a winged figure dressed in a white robe, wearing a gold crown.

St. Claus Day

Many regions in Germany also still celebrate Nikolaustag or St. Claus Day on December 6. Children leave a boot on the outside of their doors in hope that St. Nicholas will leave a small gift such as fruit and/or chocolate.

A Christmas Feast

A German Christmas dinner usually consists of roast goose, suckling pig, weisswurst and rice porridge. Fruitcakes such as Christollen and Dresden Stollen are popular, as is marizpan for dessert.