Christmas Traditions

This year we are featuring delicious Christmas recipes courtesy of CMA UK, the Marketing Board for German Food and Drink, www.foodsfromgermany.co.uk. The recipes focus on German Christmas bakery and confectionary.

Christmas in Germany is a magical time of festive markets, family celebrations and delicious seasonal confectionary. The build-up to Christmas Day traditionally starts on the first Sunday in December, the beginning of advent. The advent wreath (Adventskranz), a circle of pine branches with four candles on it, is a popular decoration in German homes. On the first day of advent the first candle on the wreath is lit, two candles are lit on the second, three on the third and all four on the fourth Sunday.

The markets

First advent is traditionally the day the Christmas markets open and create a festive atmosphere around towns. This is the place to look for Christmas presents and indulge in special Christmas treats such as baked apples, hot chestnuts, gingerbread biscuits, marzipan shapes and the hot and spicy mulled wine (Glühwein). For Christmas presents, nativity scenes, wooden toys and craft items are still popular and sought after along with a whole range of traditional Christmas foods. Excitement and activity builds through December, accompanied by the usual shopping and the preparation of traditional Christmas foods. Special baking evenings are held to make spiced cakes, biscuits and gingerbread houses.

St Nicholas’ Day

On 6th December the celebration of St. Nicholas’ Day (St Nikolaustag) takes place. Children leave a polished boot or shoe by the fireplace or outside their door or window on the evening of 5th December. They hope to find the boot filled with sweets, nuts, fruit or biscuits in the morning. St Nicholas, in his long red coat, boots and beard, is traditionally the bearer of gifts and Father Christmas is based on this figure.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

In Germany the pinnacle of the festive season is Christmas Eve when the tree is brought in to the house and decorated with baubles, lights and sweets. Presents are placed under the tree and carols are sung before exchanging gifts.

Christmas Day, as in the UK, is a day for feasting and celebrations with family and friends. Today, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day all kinds of food are eaten. However, traditional Christmas dishes such as carp accompanied by boiled potatoes and cucumber salad or goose with potato dumplings and red cabbage remain very popular.

Enjoy... and merry Christmas!

Call 0871 231 3422 to reserve your short break to visit the Christmas Markets now.

DERTOUR, based in London, is long established as one of the UK’s leading specialist tour operators for holidays to Germany.