Christmas in Germany, like in Poland, is colourful and very family oriented. The symbols of Christmas aren’t much different from those we know in Poland, the Czech Republic, or the Netherlands, for example. This shouldn’t be surprising, as we borrowed most of our Christmas traditions from the Germans.
The following article is based on my experiences and observations; your impressions and opinions about how Christmas is celebrated in Germany may be wholly different. Much depends on the region and the involvement of the people with whom you celebrate the holiday. Be sure to let us know how you experienced the holidays in Germany.
Christmas and German Diversity
Despite many similarities and shared Christmas traditions, our neighbours have several customs that are completely unknown in Poland. The differences between Christmas traditions in Poland and Germany stem primarily from the fact that German society is divided into many Christian denominations. Because each denomination treats Christmas somewhat differently, the holiday season in Germany is diverse, colourful, and therefore very interesting.
Of course, Christmas is a very family-oriented holiday, and the way the celebration is organised depends entirely on the involvement of the family itself. In large cities, where different cultures and customs mix like in a huge melting pot, Christmas looks similar, regardless of where you are. Berlin, Warsaw, or Prague are decorated with Christmas trees and thousands of lights, and the streets are filled with Santa’s dressed in red coats. The real differences begin in the countryside, where in small towns and villages old traditions, beliefs, and customs are still very much alive.
Christmas preparations in Germany
Preparations for the holidays in German homes begin on the first day of Advent. This is when housewives begin thinking about how to decorate the house, what dishes will be on the table, and who will be attending.
Advent is an important part of the Christmas tradition in Germany
Some Germans believe that the Advent season is actually the most important period connected with Christmas. After all, it is a time of waiting for one of the most significant events in the Christian world. For this reason, the first Sunday of Advent is a holiday in itself. Families gather to prepare Christmas decorations together and to exchange Advent calendars, which from that moment on will count down the days remaining until Christmas Eve.
In some German states, entire families spend this day making Advent wreaths. These are made from fir or spruce branches. Ribbons—most often purple, symbolising remembrance of the past, while the green branches represent hope for the future—are woven into the wreaths. Children also receive their Advent calendars in the form of a house full of windows. In the small windows or little bags representing each day of Advent, chocolates are hidden, which the youngsters may eat freely every morning.
Another Advent custom originating from southern Germany is the lighting of a candle on each Sunday of Advent. When all four candles are burning, it is a sign that Christmas is just around the corner. In the windows of homes, glowing decorations are hung, often handmade from paper and green branches.
Christmas Tree – The German Symbol of Christmas
As we mentioned in one of our previous articles, the custom of decorating the Christmas tree originates from Germany. It is believed that the German region of Rhineland is the birthplace of the tradition of adorning the Christmas tree. The earliest references to this practice appear in old records from the 15th century in one of the local monasteries. According to a German legend, the spruce tree appeared in the world at the moment of Jesus’s birth. Since then, it has become a symbol of life and hope. In German Christmas Eve tradition, a nativity scene—called a Krippe—with all the biblical figures is an essential element placed under the Christmas tree.
Christmas fairs and markets in German cities Weihnachtsmärkte
Just like the Christmas tree, the Christmas markets—now found across Europe—also have their origins in Germany. At these festive markets, you can buy everything associated with Christmas. The stalls offer Christmas decorations, gifts, sweets, and traditional baked goods. In the afternoons, you can also warm up with the traditional mulled wine known as Glühwein.
Another essential element of German market stalls are Christmas dishes and baked treats. You can try the famous gingerbread cookies—Pfefferkuchen. They are delicious, and the Christmas season is the only time of year when you can find them. The largest Christmas market in Germany is set up in Berlin, on the square in front of the Church of Our Lady. Only slightly smaller, yet boasting a centuries-old tradition, is the Christmas market in Munich.
Christmas Eve in Germany Heiligabend
Christmas Eve is the part of the holiday season that differs most from the way it is celebrated in Poland. Since, according to tradition, Jesus was born on 25 December, Christmas Eve is not particularly celebrated in Germany and is not a fasting day. The word wigilia comes from the Latin vigilia, meaning “watch” or “night vigil.” And that is precisely what Christmas Eve represents in Germany — people keep watch in their homes, waiting for the arrival of the Saviour on 25 December.
As a result, the first star in the sky does not herald the birth of Jesus. Does this mean we have been doing it wrong by celebrating Jesus’s birth at the Christmas Eve table? Of course not. It is simply a different tradition with different customs. After all, we know that Jesus was not actually born in winter. Germans enjoy singing Christmas carols and often go to Midnight Mass with the whole family. Interestingly, many non-religious Germans also spend Christmas Eve in church, explaining that tradition and good manners call for it.
Christmas in Germany – Christmas Eve on the German table
The Christmas Eve table in Germany is not as lavish as the one in Poland. There are no twelve dishes, no extra plate for a wandering guest, and no sharing of the opłatek wafer. These traditions are unique to Poland. One German Christmas Eve custom involves placing a small coin under a plate; the person who finds it and carries it in their wallet is believed to enjoy prosperity in the coming year.
German Christmas Eve meals are much simpler than ours, and they are not meatless. Potato salads, sausages, fish dishes, and a bit of cake dominate the table. Old traditions speak of nine dishes, but in most homes there are only a few, usually the family’s favourite treats. Often the meal consists simply of potato salad with sausages or hot dogs.
On Christmas Eve, children are allowed to indulge in sweets. Plates or bowls filled with dried fruit, caramel, and chocolate are prepared for them. And finally, the presents — awaited by German children with just as much excitement as children everywhere. Here, gifts are not placed under the Christmas tree as in Poland, but on the main table. However, before the family can start opening them, everyone gathers in the living room to read one of the traditional Christmas Eve stories.
Christmas in Germany – The first day of Christmas in Germany Weihnachten
25 December marks the peak of the Christmas season. This applies both to the celebrations themselves and to what appears on German tables. On Christmas Day, Germans are much closer in custom to the English than to us Poles. What they do share with us, however, is that—just like us—they enjoy eating well during the holidays. And they have plenty of opportunities to do so. The Christmas meal is rich and exquisite. Although Germans, being pragmatic, choose dishes they particularly enjoy rather than strictly following tradition, it is no surprise to anyone that their favourite sausages and beer are served during the holidays.
Christmas in Germany – Boxing Day in Germany
While in Europe, we are still stuffing ourselves with leftover salad and bigos from Christmas Eve, Germans feast on goose, duck, and turkey served with potatoes. Goose is particularly popular. In almost every second German household, goose is served for Christmas dinner. Interestingly, birds from Poland are especially sought after. Polish goose meat is considered in Germany to be much tastier and more natural than that of locally raised birds.
Geese and other meats are served with potatoes and a thick gravy. The birds are often stuffed with chestnuts, fruit, or other kinds of meat. We encountered similar ways of preparing Christmas roasts in England as well. On the second day of Christmas, while many Poles relax watching TV and finishing holiday treats, Germans spend time outside the home. They take walks in nearby parks, meet in restaurants or pubs, and often travel to popular destinations. In the past, festive sleigh rides or hunts were organised on the second day of Christmas.
Christmas in Germany and Christmas sweets
Traditional German cakes and pastries also make their way onto the Christmas table. Housewives compete in baking Lebkuchen gingerbread cookies in various shapes, which children then exchange with their neighbours. Those whose cookies are the most popular consider their mothers true kitchen magicians. While meat dominates the main meals, desserts are entirely ruled by aromatic gingerbread, rich fruit-filled cakes, ginger cookies called Plätzchen, and of course, various yeast-based strudels such as Weihnachtsstollen or Baumkuchen, which resembles the Czech trdelník.
Christmas in Germany and the German Saint Nicholas heilige Nikolaus and the famous Krampus
During Christmas, German homes are visited by Santa Claus. Importantly, he comes twice, just like in Poland. Children eagerly await his first visit on 6 December, a day known as Nikolaustag. On this night, Santa sneaks into the homes of well-behaved children and fills their shoes with sweets. For naughty children, he sends his assistant, Knecht Ruprecht, who leaves birch twigs in their shoes. This tradition is based on the legend of Saint Nicholas (Sankt Nikolaus), who lived in the 4th century in Turkey. He was a wealthy and generous man who, over time, gave away all his possessions to children and the poor.
Santa’s second visit falls on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, depending on the region. To make things more interesting, in some parts of Germany, gifts on 25 December are brought by the Christ Child, similar to the tradition in Silesia. In southern Germany, folk tales tell of a creature that is the opposite of Santa Claus. Known as Krampus, he is depicted as half man, half goat. According to legend, this demon sneaks up behind Santa Claus and secretly carries away naughty children in a sack on his back.
All traditions and holiday rituals are very intriguing and enjoyable. However, let’s remember that Christmas is, above all, an opportunity to gather with family and all those we like and love.
We would also like to wish all our readers a healthy and Merry Christmas.
Christmas in Germany – Interesting Facts
- Christmas in Germany is similar in many ways to that of Poland.
- Christmas Gifting (Wichteln) – In Germany, there is a custom of giving gifts to friends and colleagues during Advent. It’s a fun event, as the gifts are old and forgotten things that we no longer need. It’s also an opportunity to get rid of things that have been sitting in the garage or attic for a long time.
- One custom is hanging a pickle on the Christmas tree. The first child to find it gets an extra portion of sweets.
- Christmas Eve in Germany is not a festive day. It is often the last working day before Christmas.
- There is no fast on Christmas Eve, and people do not share the Christmas wafer.
- The nativity scenes placed under the Christmas tree are typically true works of art. These are not cardboard cutouts. Typically, an entire set of figurines costs a fortune and is passed down from generation to generation.
- Christmas Eve dinner begins with a glass of champagne and presents.
- German children don’t wait until Christmas Eve to open presents. Parents or family members place them on the table before Christmas Eve dinner.
- The most popular Christmas dish in Germany is potato salad.
- The most popular Christmas carol in the world, “Silent Night,” was composed in Germany in 1818 by an Austrian priest and his organist.
- Currently, a large portion of Germans don’t celebrate the holidays religiously, but merely replicate old traditions and customs.
- December 25th is the most solemn day. Boxing Day is spent actively, but it’s not particularly celebrated.
- Because so many Germans live in Germany, traditional Polish dishes are becoming increasingly popular during the holidays. Pierogi, croquettes, borscht, herring, and bigos are increasingly found on German tables.
- During the holidays, Germans roast goose, turkey, or venison.
- Each state in Germany celebrates the holidays in its own way, and there is no single tradition that applies nationwide.
- Germans can’t imagine Christmas without a Christmas tree. Even those who aren’t religious, they decorate their homes and gardens with twinkling lights.
- The most popular Christmas cake in Germany is the Weihnachtsstolle, a yeast cake with dried fruit and nuts.
- It is believed that during Christmas Eve dinner, no one should leave the table until the last person has finished eating. This brings bad luck and can offend the host.
- Famous Christmas markets originate in Germany. The largest are those in Berlin, Munich, and Cologne. In Germany, such markets are set up in every city, and their tradition dates back to the 14th century. Today, similar markets are held in many cities across Europe.
- Only during the holidays can you sample the famous Lebkuchen gingerbread in Germany.
- The most fragrant thing at German Christmas markets is mulled spiced wine. Its scent can waft through the air for miles, making it a beacon for holiday travellers in ancient times.
- In Berlin, there’s a Christmas-themed shop called Kathe Wohlfahrt.
- We’ve written about Christmas in other countries in previous articles:
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