Weihnachten Christmas (English)
Heiligabend Christmas Eve
24. Dezember December 24
1. Weihnachtstag Christmas Day
25. Dezember December 25
2. Weihnachtstag 2nd Day of Christmas; Boxing Day
26. Dezember December 26
Christmas is a family event in Germany, and preparations begin with the Adventskranz, an Advent wreath with four candles. On each Sunday of Advent one more candle is lit. Christmas decorations are generally very traditional, with fir branches, candles and wooden Christmas figurines, which can be bought at the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market).
Typical Christmas baking includes Stollen or Christstollen (a rich fruit bread), Lebkuchen (spicy honey biscuits/cookies), and lots of biscuits or cookies in the shape of stars, bells, etc. The decorated Christmas tree is usually seen by the children on Heiligabend (Christmas Eve), when presents are given out. The erster Weihnachtstag (Christmas Day) is a public holiday in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It tends to be a quiet day for family gatherings, often with a traditional lunch of goose or carp. The zweiter Weihnachtstag (Boxing Day) is also a public holiday; in Austria and Switzerland it is called Stephanstag (St Stephen’s Day).
Silent Night: http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__W__t__G/01/09__Advent__Christmas/SilentNight.html
Nut Cracker: http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__W__t__G/01/09__Advent__Christmas/Nutcracker__S.html
24. Dezember December 24
1. Weihnachtstag Christmas Day
25. Dezember December 25
2. Weihnachtstag 2nd Day of Christmas; Boxing Day
26. Dezember December 26
Christmas is a family event in Germany, and preparations begin with the Adventskranz, an Advent wreath with four candles. On each Sunday of Advent one more candle is lit. Christmas decorations are generally very traditional, with fir branches, candles and wooden Christmas figurines, which can be bought at the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market).
Typical Christmas baking includes Stollen or Christstollen (a rich fruit bread), Lebkuchen (spicy honey biscuits/cookies), and lots of biscuits or cookies in the shape of stars, bells, etc. The decorated Christmas tree is usually seen by the children on Heiligabend (Christmas Eve), when presents are given out. The erster Weihnachtstag (Christmas Day) is a public holiday in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It tends to be a quiet day for family gatherings, often with a traditional lunch of goose or carp. The zweiter Weihnachtstag (Boxing Day) is also a public holiday; in Austria and Switzerland it is called Stephanstag (St Stephen’s Day).
Silent Night: http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__W__t__G/01/09__Advent__Christmas/SilentNight.html
Nut Cracker: http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__W__t__G/01/09__Advent__Christmas/Nutcracker__S.html
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