German Christmas traditions are fun to include in your own annual Christmas traditions. It doesn't matter if you're of German descent or not. These are some fun German traditions to do with your entire family, especially the children.
On December 21, which is the shortest day of the year, the feast of St. Thomas is celebrated. Whomever is the latest to get up in the morning, or shows up last to work is the Thomas Donkey for the day. The Thomas Donkey is given a donkey cutout and are the butt of many jokes throughout the day. At the end of the day yummy Thomasplitzchen, iced current buns, are eaten and the abuse of the Thomas Donkey ends.
On Christmas Eve, before the huge feast, is the presentation of the Christmas tree. This is one German tradition that has gone all over the world. In Germany, the Christmas tree is not allowed to be seen until Christmas Eve. The children are kept entertained in another room, usually by Father, while Mother gets out the tree and decorates it with fruit, candy, cookies, angels, lights, trains, family ornaments and tinsel. She also places the presents under the tree. Decorated plates are set out for everyone in the family. The plates are loaded with fruits, nuts marzipan, biscuits and fruit. A bell is rung and the children run into the room to celebrate. German Christmas songs are sung, the Christmas story is read and the gifts are opened.
Christmas Eve also goes by another name, Dickbauch which means fat stomach. There is a German tradition that if you do not eat a lot on Christmas Eve you will be harassed by demons all night long. I always thought if you ate too much before sleeping you'd have an upset stomach all night!
Find out more wonderful German Christmas traditions to include in your family holiday at our Free German Lessons site.
Source: www.a1articles.com