Christmas in the German speaking countries MFL Sunderland
- Slides: 10
Christmas in the German speaking countries ©MFL Sunderland 2007 DF http: //www. sunderlandschools. org/mfl-sunderland
Adventskranz In Germany Christmas celebrations start a lot earlier than in England. Most German families have an Adventskranz (a type of wreath). There are four candles on the Adventskranz and one is lit on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas day.
Adventskalender n Most German children also have an Adventskalender. These are also popular in England now. For each day up to Christmas, there is a door to be opened. Sometimes behind this door you will find a picture or sometimes a piece of chocolate
St. Niklaus On the eve of the 6 th December, German children are visited by St. Niklaus (Santa Claus). n They leave their shoes or boots out and when they wake up they find them filled with chocolates, fruit, nuts, sweets and St Niklaus figures. n
Der heilige Abend German speaking families celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve (der heilige Abend). n The parents decorate the tree in the ‘Weihnachtszimmer’ (Christmas room) with apples, sometimes with real candles, baubles (Kugeln) and with Engelshaar (‘angel’s hair’ – tinsel). n
Der Weihnachtsbaum n At the top of the tree the parents put a star (Stern) n and at the foot of the tree is the crib (die Krippe).
Das Christkind Now it’s time for the Christ Child (das Christkind) or the Weihnachtsmann (Father Christmas) to bring the presents. When he has been, the children are allowed into the Weihnachtszimmer for die Bescherung (distribution of presents).
Das Weihnachtsessen n The Germans and Austrians often eat carp (Karpfen) for their Christmas meal. n This is usually followed by goose (der Weihnachtsgans).
Das Weihnachtsessen n Other Christmas foods are Lebkuchen, which are spicy ginger biscuits, and Stollen, which is the German Christmas cake.
Jingle Bells Jingle Bells, klingt es weit und breit. Schön ist eine Schlittenfahrt im Winter wenn es schneit. Jingle Bells, klingt es weit und breit. Mach' mit mir 'ne Schneeballschlacht, der Winter steht bereit!
