German Culture

All about Germany

  • Home
  • Learn German
  • Articles
    • Famous Germans
    • German Holidays
    • German Cuisine
    • How To In Germany
    • Daily Life
    • German Facts
    • German Traditions
  • Facts About Germany
  • German History
    • Early History of Germany
    • Middle Ages in German History
    • German Reformation Period
    • 19th Century and German Unification
  • German Recipes
    • German Baking Recipes
    • German Bread Recipes
    • German Christmas Recipes
    • Desserts
    • German Easter Recipes
    • Halloween Recipes
    • Main Dishes
    • German Salad Recipes
    • German Salads
    • Sauerkraut Recipes
  • Travel to Germany
  • Contact

German Christmas tree – Tannenbaum

Christmas-Tree2The 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 hung on a tree of that time were “roses cut of many-colored paper, apples, wafers, gilt, sugar”. However the Christmas tree tradition dates back to the middle of the 16th century when the first of “Tannenbaum” ballads appeared in printing. By the 19th century the tradition spread across Germany and abroad. It was due to the royal Germans that the custom of decorating a tree for Christmas crossed German borders, and reached the United States.

People use different festive ornaments, nuts, candies, and candles to decorate the tree. Once the real wax candles were used, and people learnt how to make it safely: the candles were not left to burn for a long time, and not without someone in the room. It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the sixteenth-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling among the evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles. Nowadays more and more electric candle lights replace their wax predecessors.

In some parts of Germany it is a tradition on the 26th of December to visit friends and praise their Christmas tree. This is called “Christbaumloben”. Mostly you ring at the door and when someone opens and lets you in, you look at the tree and say “A nice tree!” (in German: “Ein schoener Baum!”)

Why do people do such a crazy thing? Because, normally those who praise the tree will receive a little glass of alcoholic drink, mostly some sort of brandy. After they get their drink, the visitors normally sit down for a while, talking and eating some cookies, perhaps praising the tree one more time (“A VERY nice tree!”).

Such visits are not too long, because people don’t visit only one person: normally there are around ten different persons visited, and of course ten different trees praised. As you can guess now, these evenings end often in drunk people, but it is also very funny.




Related Articles:
German Christmas Traditions
Christmas traditions in Germany
Christmas Celebration in Germany
Advent in Germany – Four Weeks Left till Christmas!
German Christmas Markets – Christmas Shopping in Germany
Christ Child – Christkind

You might also like:

  • Christmas Tree Cupcakes
    Christmas Tree Cupcakes
  • German Christmas Traditions: A Journey Through Festive Customs and Enchanting Celebrations
    German Christmas Traditions: A Journey Through Festive…
  • Celebrating Christmas in Germany
    Celebrating Christmas in Germany
  • Forgotten German Christmas Traditions That Deserve a Comeback
    Forgotten German Christmas Traditions That Deserve a…
  • The Magic of the Munich Christmas Market: A Festive Wonderland
    The Magic of the Munich Christmas Market: A Festive…
  • Exploring the Rich History of Advent Calendars in Germany
    Exploring the Rich History of Advent Calendars in Germany
  • Discovering Joy and Tradition: A Visit to the German Christmas Museum
    Discovering Joy and Tradition: A Visit to the German…
  • Exploring the Magic of the Cologne Christmas Market: A Festive Journey
    Exploring the Magic of the Cologne Christmas Market: A…

Recent Posts

Sunday in Germany: Why Everything Closes and Nobody Minds

Sunday in Germany: Why Everything Closes and Nobody Minds

Punctuality in Germany: More Than Just Being on Time

Punctuality in Germany: More Than Just Being on Time

Traditional German Clothing: The Stories Behind the Styles

Traditional German Clothing: The Stories Behind the Styles

Dirndl Decoded: The Meaning Behind Germany’s Most Iconic Dress

Dirndl Decoded: The Meaning Behind Germany’s Most Iconic Dress

Lederhosen Lore: From Peasant Gear to German Pride

Lederhosen Lore: From Peasant Gear to German Pride

Copyright © 2025 · German Culture

Go to mobile version