In Germany, the preparations for the Christmas celebration usually begins in November. The people in Germany set aside special evenings so that they can bake delicious deserts and make Christmas decorations and gifts.

December 6 is Nikolaustag, St. Claus day. On the eve of December 5, shoes or boots are set beside the fireplace. While all the children are asleep, St. Nicholas goes from house to house with his book of sins, which lists all the misdeeds of the children.

If he checks his book and finds out that the child has been good, he will fill the boot with holiday candies and treats. But, if the child has been naughty, he would awake to find his boot filled with nothing but twigs!

Many of their Christmas tree decorations are made with a white dough called Christbaumgeback. The dough can be shaped, molded or cut into any shape and it is then baked to harden. The ornaments are then decorated in various ways and hung on the tree.

Children aren’t allowed to see the Christmas tree until Christmas Eve! While they pre-occupied in another room, one of the parents will bring out the tree and decorate it. Trees are often decorated with apples, cookies, nuts or candy. They will also be adorned with angels, trains, tinsel and lights or candles. Sometimes family treasures are used as decorations.

The presents are then placed under the tree and nearby tables are set with a brilliantly decorated plate, one for each member of the family. The plates are filled with Christmas treats such as marzipan, fruits, chocolates and nuts.

After all the preparations are made, a bell is rang to announce that the Christmas room is ready. It is traditional for carols to be sung and for the Christmas story to be read. Sometimes sparklers are even lit to celebrate and then all the presents are opened. 

In some areas of Germany, it is believed that the Christ Child sends a special messenger on Christmas Eve. This special Christmas angel is called Christkind. He is a winged creature that is all dressed in white robes and wears a golden crown. The children in those parts of Germany leave their Christmas wish lists on their windowsills for Christkind.

Another traditional Christmas visitor is the Christkindl. She is also considered a messenger of the Christ Child. Christkindl is a beautiful young girl that wears a crown of candles on her head. She visits each house delivering presents from her basket.

In other parts of Germany, hey have a figure that is much like the  traditional Santa Clause in America. He is called Christmas Man or Weihnachtsmann and he travels about delivering all the Christmas gifts on Christmas eve.

Many of the homes in Germany have several Christmas trees decorated each year. Advent wreaths called the Adventskranz, are made of holly and have four red candles placed in the center. They are laid on a table and one candle is lit on each Sunday counting down the days until the last one is lit on Christmas Eve.

These are just a few of the many traditions celebrated in Germany. If you more feel free to use the comment form below!

By Connie Corder, Copyright 2009 ChristmasChimney.com all rights reserved and may not be republished in any form.