Top 11 Popular German Christmas Traditions for Everyone

As the holiday season approaches, the world becomes a tapestry of diverse and enchanting Christmas traditions. Among these, German Christmas traditions stand out for their rich history and heartwarming customs that have been lovingly passed down through generations. From the magical allure of the Christmas markets, where the air is filled with the scent of gingerbread and mulled wine, to the cherished tradition of the Advent wreath, German Christmas celebrations offer a unique blend of nostalgia and joy.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or simply looking to infuse your holiday season with a touch of European charm, exploring German Christmas traditions is sure to captivate your imagination and warm your heart. Join nationalparkshops’s team as we delve into the festive customs that make a German Christmas truly unforgettable.

Stockings are filled on 6th December

In Germany, children receive their stockings on December 6th, which is Saint Nicholas Day. This custom, celebrated as the Feast of Saint Nicholas, is practiced across various European nations, irrespective of their religious beliefs. This is also one of the popular German Christmas traditions.

“The custom involves cleaning your shoes on the evening of December 5th, and if they’re clean, you’ll find presents in them overnight. It’s a wonderful tradition that I still observe with my son. The gifts are usually small items like oranges, chocolate, and perhaps a little present such as a book,” shares Corina Goetz, CEO and Founder of Star Cat.

Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve, known as Heiliger Abend, is a festive occasion for Germans. Many families typically spend the day adorning the Christmas tree, cooking meals, and tidying their homes. As nighttime approaches, family members gather around the tree.

According to customs, the ‘Christkind’ brings the gifts while the children wait outside the room. A bell is rung, signaling the children to come in, and then the family sings carols before starting the bescherung, or gift opening. Afterward, some families attend church services while others enjoy a delightful meal.

Christmas trees

Many countries worldwide have their own Christmas tree traditions, referred to as Weihnachtsbaum or Tannenbaum in German, but German Christmas traditions stand out for several reasons.

It is said that the earliest recorded Christmas tree was established in Freiburg in 1419 by local bakers, who adorned it with fruits, nuts, and baked goods that children could take and eat on New Year’s Day.

The practice quickly gained popularity throughout Europe, especially among the English nobility, and eventually made its way to America with German immigrants, becoming widely accepted by the late 1800s.

Another unique aspect of the German tradition is that the Christmas tree is set up and decorated on Christmas Eve, unlike in the United States where trees are often decorated weeks or even months in advance. Decorations on German trees often include tinsel, glass ornaments, or straw decorations along with sweets.

Typically, a star or angel sits atop the German Christmas tree, and a nativity scene may be displayed underneath, alongside the presents. Furthermore, Germans often maintain the tradition of using real candles instead of electric lights on their trees.

German Christmas Traditions – Placing an Advent wreath on the table

Advent wreaths, or Adventskranz, originated from the tradition of German Lutherans in the 16th century. The wreath usually features four candles surrounded by pine cones, berries, dried flowers, and assorted holiday decorations. Many families display the wreath at the start of December, lighting one candle on each Sunday during the month.

German Christmas Markets: Weihnachtsmarkt

One of the most recognizable German Christmas traditions is the famous Christmas Markets (Weihnachtsmarkt). In expansive public squares or plazas, small wooden stalls pop up, where sellers offer handcrafted jewelry, crafts, festive decorations, and toys.

The atmosphere buzzes with the melodies of carolers or holiday musicians, along with the enticing aromas of hot mulled wine (Glühwein), crepes, sausages, and roasted chestnuts (Kastanien, Maronen, or Maroni). Sparkling Christmas lights brighten the evening sky, pleasing both children and adults.

Christmas Stollen Bread

In the United States, fruitcake is often met with mixed feelings. Fortunately, Germany offers a tastier holiday tradition: stollen. This rich bread contains candied fruit peels, nuts, spices, and raisins that have been soaked in alcohol. You can think of it as a blend of fruitcake and hot cross buns. Among German Christmas traditions and culinary customs, this ranks very highly.

The origins of stollen are similarly tied to Christianity, as the loaf’s rolled shape is said to represent the Christ child swaddled in a blanket in a manger.

Initially, stollen consisted only of flour, yeast, some oil, and water. However, without butter or sweet ingredients like raisins, candied orange and lemon peels, and almonds, it didn’t resemble the sweet treat we enjoy today.

Throughout time, bakers were permitted to use butter after the Vatican lifted a ban on it, along with other sugary ingredients, which shaped the final version of stollen that has existed since the 20th century.

Krampus Night (Krampus Nacht)

Krampus, a devilish figure, is considered a companion to St. Nicholas. It is thought that he joins St. Nicholas to discipline misbehaving children. In Southern Bavaria, men dressed in frightening Krampus outfits roam the streets on St. Nicholas Night and are occasionally welcomed into homes by parents of especially unruly kids. This is German Christmas tradition commonly seen here.

German Gingerbread Cookies: Lebkuchen

When discussing festive Christmas goodies, no German Christmas tradition is complete without Lebkuchen, their unique take on gingerbread cookies. I mention “take” because Lebkuchen is not exactly the same as the traditional gingerbread cookie. It is essential for upholding German Christmas culinary customs.

While it shares similarities with gingerbread, as it’s seasoned with spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg, and sweetened with honey, molasses, or sugar, lebkuchen stands out with its soft, dense, and often nutty texture. One might compare its consistency to a blend of cake and cookies.

The tradition of Lebkuchen traces back to Nuremberg, where the surrounding forests provided ample honey, a key component in the recipe. Moreover, Nuremberg’s location along ancient spice trade routes allowed bakers easy access to a variety of exotic spices required for the treats.

There are numerous recipes for Lebkuchen that vary based on the proportions of nuts and honey used. Additionally, there are different versions depending on how the Lebkuchen will be utilized.

Mulled wine: Glühwein

German Christmas tradition feels incomplete without a hot cup of Glühwein. This classic German holiday beverage is a spiced drink made primarily from red wine and an assortment of mulling spices. Nonetheless, most Christmas markets tend to offer white wine options as well as non-alcoholic versions known as “Kinderpunsch.”

Additionally, at the Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmarkt), you usually need to pay a deposit for your special mug, which you can get back when you return it, though we often end up keeping them at home. If you’re yearning for the flavors of Christmas or want to share a bit of German festive tradition with friends and family at home, you can purchase glühwein in glass bottles at many grocery stores in Germany to heat up later.

Christmas Angel

In Germany, Christmas angels are the most cherished holiday decorations. They are displayed on Christmas trees and throughout homes during the festive season. Typically crafted from wood, these angels are frequently depicted playing musical instruments. You can expect to find thousands of them at any Christmas market in Germany.

Feuerzangenbowle

Feuerzangenbowle is a German Christmas tradition. The Feuerzangenbowle is a highly alcoholic German festive drink that delights both the palate and the visual senses. Heavily spiced mulled wine is enhanced with a substantial amount of strong rum, and the mixture is ignited. To truly embrace a German Christmas Eve, watch the classic film Die Feuerzangenbowle (1944), which follows the comedic antics of a middle-aged man influenced by the drink.

FAQs

What is the German Christmas boot tradition?

The saint’s practice of giving gifts in secret led to the creation of the modern Santa Claus. Every year on the night of December 5, an unusual event occurs: Children throughout Germany place one boot outside their doors, which is filled overnight with chocolates and candies.

What are traditional German Christmas foods?

German Christmas foods are rich in tradition and flavor, featuring a variety of dishes that bring families together during the festive season. On Christmas Eve, many enjoy fish or sausages with potato salad, while Christmas Day often features a grand feast with roasted goose, duck, or turkey accompanied by sides like red cabbage and dumplings. Desserts play a significant role, with Stollen (a fruit-filled bread) and Lebkuchen (gingerbread cookies) being popular treats. Families also bake an assortment of Christmas cookies known as Weihnachtsplätzchen, which are shared among friends and loved ones.

Why do Germans eat goose at Christmas?

According to a legend, while Queen Elizabeth I was enjoying goose, she received news of the British victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588 and instructed all of England to follow her dining choice that Christmas. This practice likely then migrated from England to Germany, where it became established.