German Christmas Tree Traditions

According to legend church reformist martin luther was the first to put candles on his christmas tree.

German christmas tree traditions. Back then small firs were traditionally decorated with apples nuts and paper flowers on december 24. Many of these customs originated in germany and austria. The custom was widespread among the german lutherans by the 18th century but it was not until the following century that the christmas tree became a deep rooted german tradition. A big part of christmas traditions in germany revolves around the advent.

Advent kranz is a ring of fir tree branches however with four candles. Der weihnachtsbaum an old fashioned german christmas tree the use of evergreens as a christmas symbol of everlasting life goes back much further than even the 1550s but still with a germanic connection. Different families have different traditions when it comes to adventskranz. Some will bring it out during the first week of december and burn one candle every sunday in the lead up to christmas.

It is less consumption oriented than in. The tradition of advent wreaths was started by german lutherans in the 16th century and today the wreath is still an icon of christmas in germany. Each weihnachtsmarkt has booths and stands filled with christmas decor ornaments goodies and gifts. Christmas in germany berlin our photographic tour of just a few of berlin s 60.

German christmas traditions customs of one of the most important german holidays. In some parts of germany it is a tradition on the 26th of december to visit friends and praise their christmas tree. The christmas tree is seen today as an icon symbolizing the winter holiday and the festivities that surround it. In december in germany there are weihnachtsmarkts christmas markets in the middle of each town.

The victorian tree was decorated with toys and small gifts candles candies popcorn strings and fancy cakes hung from the branches by ribbons and. I lived in germany for 18 months and now i love german christmas decorations. Christmas traditions in austria germany switzerland although we often take today s christmas celebration customs for granted most of the so called traditional christmas practices only date back to the 19th century. Like other holiday icons associated with christmas like stars candy canes nutcrackers santa mistletoe etc the christmas tree also has historical roots in europe and germany.

Advent calendars are a must if you re in germany for the entire month of december. More on the german way photos. Introduced into england in the early 19th century the christmas tree was popularized in the mid 19th century by german born prince albert husband of queen victoria. One of the most prevalent christmas traditions is that of setting up and decorating the family christmas tree.

The custom of chopping down a spruce and decorating it as a christmas tree originates from 16th century germany. Mostly you ring at the door and when someone opens and lets you in you look at the tree and say a nice tree in german. From advent calendars to something called an advent kranz it s quite popular around the holidays. Christmas or weihnachten is considered by germans to be the most important of the major holidays although secularized and commercialized compared to christmas celebrations of yore the german holiday season is a time for introspection celebration and family and friends.

This is called christbaumloben.