German Christmas Traditions
- Dara Wissinger Pütz
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Before I moved to Germany, I knew it as the land of Christmas with its bustling and picturesque Christmas markets. Let me tell you, after living here it fully lives up to that assumption. I am biased, but I truly believe the best time to visit Germany is during the Christmas season. Aside from the absolute joy and magic Christmas markets in Germany (and all over Europe) bring, there are many other traditional events, foods, and celebrations across Germany I have now come to learn about and experience.
Advent
The season of advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Each Sunday leading up to Christmas an advent candle is lit which sits within an advent wreath. Besides enjoying kaffee und kuchen and lighting the advent calendar on Sundays leading up to Christmas, Germans love advent calendars. Many German families create their own counting down the days of Christmas with exceptional small treats and gifts made especially for the person opening the advent calendar.
St. Nicholas Day
The origins of our Santa Claus begin with St. Nicholas. He was known for being a bringer of gifts to children. On the eve of St. Nicholas day, December 5th children put their shoes outside in hopes St. Nicholas will leave something for them. Usually when the children wake up in the morning small chocolates, an orange or tangerine, and some small toys will await them inside their shoes. Many schools participate in this as well and I was lucky enough to substitute at the international school here in Germany where the children left their classroom slippers out for St. Nicholas to be welcomed with goodies on the next day at school.
Krampus
The concept of Krampus is the most special German Christmas tradition. Its roots begin and stay in the German state of Bavaria and is still widely celebrated in that region today as well as into neighboring Austria. The tradition itself centers around the concept of scaring naughty children with Krampus chasing after them with whips and ropes. Krampus is supposed to be part goat and part demon. He is a physically horrifying creature with a furry large body, long protruding tongue and horns sprouting from his head. He is enough to give anyone, let alone a child, nightmares.
In towns across Bavaria during the Christmas season Krampus comes out at night after the Christmas markets are shutting down. The most famous Krampus event is in Munich with the Krampus run held in later afternoon. Hundreds of people dressed as various versions of Krampus Walk the streets of Munich. The event across the region is usually held on the eve of St. Nicholas day.
Christmas Cuisine
In the German family I have married into, they traditionally around Christmas participate in fondue. Not the sweet and chocolatey kind, but the savory meat cooking kind and I love it. It’s a great way to enjoy the meal and chat as your meat is simmering in the fondue pot. Other families participate in raclette, with slippery gooey cheese as the main star accompanied by various options such as potatoes, charcuterie, assorted meats, etc. Though, many families reserve raclette for a special New Years Eve dinner instead of Christmas. While others purchase a large leberkäse (the German version of meatloaf) and traditional potato salad to devour. Many people in Germany also can’t miss having goose with red cabbage, savory apple and potatoes for their Christmas meal.
Top of the list for German holiday favorites is lebkuchen or German gingerbread. The version here is not typically shaped into gingerbread men but usually stars or hearts. It is also much richer in flavor and a denser cookie than the crisp more cinnamon forward American version. To pair with lebkuchen, you must enjoy a warm glass of spiced mulled wine or the non-alcoholic version of spiced punch. For the adventurous drinker, you can also try feuerzangenbowle which is mulled wine with a rum-soaked chunk of sugar that is lit on fire, and it slides into the drink.
No Christmas in Germany is complete without having a slice of stollen as well. Often this is served at the traditional kaffee und kuchen time around 3pm daily. At the holidays, this time is particularly sacred for spending it with family and having a slice of cake or a sweet holiday treat. Stollen is a dense fruit bread filled with nuts and spices. It is usually topped with icing or powdered sugar. Do be warned, it can be a messy bread to consume. This bread is fairly shelf stable for any time of a few weeks to a few months depending on the manufacturer or bakery. This makes it a great souvenir to take back home for your family to try after visiting the Christmas markets of Germany.
Heiligabend – AKA Christmas Eve
Traditionally, in America the main Christmas celebrations occur on Christmas day. While families usually still get together on Christmas Eve and sometimes exchange gifts, I would say the bulk of celebrations happen on Christmas day. While in Germany, Christmas day is much more relaxed with Christmas Eve being the main dinner and church service attendance with family. In America, our Christmas decorations are booming and often put up quickly after Thanksgiving (though increasingly sooner for many nowadays) but in Germany the Christmas tree is generally put up the week of Christmas or decorated as a family together on Christmas eve. This is because many Germans still purchase real trees as it is more traditional and safer for the environment.
Normal ornaments adorn the tree but a typical “German” Christmas ornament by American standards, won’t be found hidden among its branches. Growing up I was often told of the “German” tradition of hiding a pickle or pickle ornament in the tree. Whoever is the first to find the pickle hidden in its branches on Christmas morning gets an additional small gift. My brother and I grew up loving this tradition and it always added to the excitement of Christmas morning. When I married into a German family, I was shocked to not find a pickle ornament on their tree and even further fathomed to discover it isn’t a German tradition at all! Come to find out it was a marketing ploy created by an American department store in hopes of selling their product.
As an American, I know my German Christmas musings may differ compared to others from various nations. I love how living abroad gives me a unique opportunity to not only experience these differences but live them in my day-to-day life. Uniquely, being married into a German family gives me a real glimpse into some true German Christmas traditions. I love learning more about how everyone celebrates differently. So how do you celebrate the holidays? What are the unique traditions to your family and where you come from?
Meet Dara
Originally I am from the very first and second smallest state in America, Delaware. After achieving my masters degree I wanted to take a 'gap year' to work in Shanghai, China with Disney. I met my husband in Shanghai and somehow that 'gap year' turned into more than 8 years of living abroad! I have lived across three continents and four countries before I turned 30 and I wouldn't be surprised if those statistics change again before I am 40. I currently reside in the land of fairytale inspiration itself, Bavaria, Germany with my German husband. I love the thrill of visiting somewhere new and I am passionate about planning every single detail for all of our trips. I have always wanted to share my knowledge and expertise from this magical life abroad and thus this column was born. Join me as I take you from Delaware to Everywhere.
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