The night of the Holy Sylvester, the last night of the year, has always been the night of fun. Every year Berlin hosts one of the largest New Year's Eve celebrations in all of Europe, attended by over a million people. The focal point is the Brandenburg Gate, where midnight fireworks are centered. Germans toast the New Year with a glass of Sekt … [Read more...]
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
German Maiwein
May Wine is a traditional May Day beverage Maiwein (May Wine) is a German drink, dedicated to springtime and flavored with fresh Waldmeister (sweet woodruff). Maiwein, a white wine, imported from Germany, can be found in stores. Waldmeister is a fragrant herb, a small plant with white blossoms. In Germany it grows in the forests. However, the … [Read more...]
Easter Eggs: Traditions and Recipes
Easter Eggs Traditions from Germany It is really impossible to imagine Easter without such an attribute as colored eggs. This is a very old tradition dating back to the 16th century to exchange colored eggs as Easter presents. Later, it became a custom for young people who were in love with each other, to give the decorated eggs to their … [Read more...]
German Easter traditions
Germany is home to some of the most charming and meaningful Easter traditions in Europe. With roots that stretch deep into both Christian beliefs and pre-Christian customs, German Easter traditions blend spirituality, folklore, and springtime celebration in ways that are both time-honored and joyful. Whether you're witnessing an Osterfeuer (Easter … [Read more...]
German Easter Bunny Recipes
Some last-minute recipes of Easter bunny-shaped cakes and cookies Easter is not all about hard-boiled eggs. You cannot make it with egg salads only! Let's honor Easter rabbit - the one who hides Easter eggs - by putting him on the festive table. Easter Bunny Ingredients: 1 kg flour 1 tsp salt 160 g soft butter 600 ml room-warm milk 1 tbsp … [Read more...]
Christ Child – Christkind
In some parts of Germany, mainly the south east of the country, children write to the Christkind/Christkindl asking for presents. The letters to the Christkind are decorated with sugar glued to the envelope to make them sparkly and attractive to look at. Children leave the letters on the windowsill at the beginning of or during Advent. "Das … [Read more...]
German Christmas Markets – Christmas Shopping in Germany
There is nothing so awe-inspiring in the pre-Christmas time as visiting Christkindlmarkt, the German Christmas market. Every town has its own little "Christkindlmarkt", which is a market-fest, where people gather to enjoy the Christmas time. These Christmas markets offer baked goods, sweets and toys and feature local and regional specialties. … [Read more...]
Advent in Germany – Four Weeks Left till Christmas!
In Germany the time from December 1st to December 24th is called "Adventszeit", which means the time before Christmas Eve. Parents give their children Advent calendars that count down the days. Every day in December they can open one of the doors and receive either a small chocolate in the shape of a star, a tree, or a little toy. These calendars … [Read more...]
German Christmas tree – Tannenbaum
The first appearance of a Christmas tree - Tannenbaum - was recorded in 1605 in Strasburg, and the record said that "...people set up Christmas trees in their rooms...". Another record of that time coming from Ammerschweier, said that "... no burgher shall have for Christmas more than one bush of more than eight shoes' length...". The decorations … [Read more...]
Christmas Celebration in Germany
Christmas is coming, bright and sparkling, and we put together several articles that make up a collection of festive stories. In this article we will get acquainted with German Christmas traditions and customs, history of Christmas tree, traditional German Christmas markets, Advent - Christmas calendar that originated from Germany, and Christ Child … [Read more...]