Christmas in the Christmas in the German speaking German speaking

countriescountries

©MFL Sunderland 2007 DF http://www.sunderlandschools.org/mfl-sunderland

AdventskranzAdventskranz

In Germany Christmas In Germany Christmas celebrations start a lot celebrations start a lot earlier than in England. earlier than in England. Most German families Most German families have an have an AdventskranzAdventskranz (a type (a type of wreath). There are of wreath). There are four candles on the four candles on the AdventskranzAdventskranz and and one is lit on each of the one is lit on each of the four Sundays leading four Sundays leading up to Christmas day.up to Christmas day.

AdventskalenderAdventskalender

Most German children Most German children also have an also have an AdventskalenderAdventskalender. . These are also popular These are also popular in England now. For in England now. For each day up to each day up to Christmas, there is a Christmas, there is a door to be opened. door to be opened. Sometimes behind this Sometimes behind this door you will find a door you will find a picture or sometimes picture or sometimes a piece of chocolate a piece of chocolate

St. NiklausSt. Niklaus

On the eve of the 6th On the eve of the 6th December, German December, German children are visited by children are visited by St. NiklausSt. Niklaus (Santa (Santa Claus). Claus).

They leave their shoes They leave their shoes or boots out and when or boots out and when they wake up they they wake up they find them filled with find them filled with chocolates, fruit, nuts, chocolates, fruit, nuts, sweets and St Niklaus sweets and St Niklaus figures. figures.

Der heilige AbendDer heilige Abend German speaking German speaking

families celebrate families celebrate Christmas on Christmas Christmas on Christmas Eve (Eve (der heilige der heilige AbendAbend). ).

The parents decorate The parents decorate the tree in the the tree in the ‘Weihnachtszimmer’ ‘Weihnachtszimmer’ (Christmas room) with (Christmas room) with apples, sometimes with apples, sometimes with real candles, baubles real candles, baubles ((KugelnKugeln) and with ) and with EngelshaarEngelshaar (‘angel’s (‘angel’s hair’ – tinsel). hair’ – tinsel).

Der WeihnachtsbaumDer Weihnachtsbaum

At the top of the At the top of the tree the parents tree the parents put a star (put a star (SternStern) )

and at the foot of and at the foot of the tree is the crib the tree is the crib ((die Krippedie Krippe).).

Das ChristkindDas Christkind

Now it’s time for the Now it’s time for the Christ Child (Christ Child (das das ChristkindChristkind) or the ) or the WeihnachtsmannWeihnachtsmann (Father Christmas) to (Father Christmas) to bring the presents. bring the presents.

When he has been, the When he has been, the children are allowed children are allowed into the into the Weihnachtszimmer for Weihnachtszimmer for die die BescherungBescherung (distribution of (distribution of presents). presents).

Das WeihnachtsessenDas Weihnachtsessen

The Germans and The Germans and Austrians often eat Austrians often eat carp (Karpfen) for carp (Karpfen) for their Christmas meal. their Christmas meal.

This is usually This is usually followed by goose followed by goose ((der der WeihnachtsgansWeihnachtsgans).).

Das WeihnachtsessenDas Weihnachtsessen

Other Christmas Other Christmas foods are foods are LebkuchenLebkuchen, which , which are spicy ginger are spicy ginger biscuits, and biscuits, and StollenStollen, which is , which is the German the German Christmas cake.Christmas cake.

Jingle BellsJingle Bells

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,klingt es weit und breit.klingt es weit und breit.Schön ist eine SchlittenfahrtSchön ist eine Schlittenfahrtim Winter wenn es schneit.im Winter wenn es schneit.Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,klingt es weit und breit.klingt es weit und breit.Mach' mit mirMach' mit mir  'ne Schneeballschlacht,  'ne Schneeballschlacht,der Winter steht bereit!der Winter steht bereit!