THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. Not only do fireworks light up the sky and people fill the street on the last day of the year in Germany, but Germans celebrate the end of the year with several New Year's good luck traditions or Glücksbringer. In Germany pigs, four leaved clovers,... Continue Reading →

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. As millions of children await the arrival of Santa Claus in the next few days and hope to catch him dropping down chimneys and delivering presents on the night of December 24th, children in Germany will have already opened their gifts on the eve of... Continue Reading →

Having been born and raised in Germany, I have to admit that it's the Christmas season when I get homesick the most. The Christmas markets, the decorations, the atmosphere, and all the delicious Christmas treats ... nothing beats Weihnachten in Germany. Besides chocolate, and cookies like Vanillekipferl and Pfeffernüsse, there is also one of Germany's most famous... Continue Reading →

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without Lebkuchen. It is one of Germany's most famous Christmas treats. But what is Lebkuchen (pronounced lep-koo-hen)? Is it like the American gingerbread? Yes and no. Lebkuchen - sometimes also called Pfefferkuchen (translated it quite literally means pepper cake) isn't crunchy or crispy and it... Continue Reading →

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. Räuchermännchen or wooden smoker men have graced German homes during the Christmas season for many, many years. They belong to Christmas just like the Weihnachtspyramide, the Adventskranz and the Schwibbogen candle arches. In our home, the little incense burner with his small lantern always came... Continue Reading →

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. OPINIONS ARE MY OWN Advent calendars aren't the only way Germans count down the days until Christmas. Every year, families in German-speaking countries set up an Adventskranz or advent wreath to kick off the Christmas season and the Advent time. Always circular, the advent wreath, which includes four candles,... Continue Reading →

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. Christmas time in Germany is not only Weihnachtspyramiden and Schwibbogen (pyramids and lighted arches) which shine light during that special time of year, but the very popular Herrnhut Star (also known as Moravian Star) also casts its mesmerizing glow throughout streets, busy town squares and... Continue Reading →

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. Christmas is one of the most magical times in Germany. Especially during the advent time (the four Sundays leading up to Christmas). Unlike here in the US, nothing is open on Sundays in Germany. Sunday is the day of rest and so all shops, stores... Continue Reading →

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.Towards the end of November, the smell of roasted almonds and hot, spiced mulled wine fills the air around Germany. Brightly-colored string lights and evergreen boughs hang in rows from wooden stands offering everything from gingerbread hearts to handmade and handcrafted decoration. Even in the middle... Continue Reading →

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. With December just a few days away, children in Germany are not only getting ready to open their Adventskalender or advent calendars but are also counting down the days until St. Nicholas Day! St. Nicholas Day or Nikolaus sometimes also spelled Nikolas is the Patron Saint of Children... Continue Reading →