Christmas Eve In Germany

German translation of christmas eve the official collins english german dictionary online.

Christmas eve in germany. Christmas celebrations start in germany on 24th december christmas eve when christmas gifts are exchanged. On 25th december christmas day and 26 december usually the family gets together for celebrations and also the religious christians will visit christmas mass during these days. Christmas eve in germany is all about sharing. The four weeks leading up to the 25th are filled with weihnachtsmärkte christmas markets glühwein and much nicer than usual germans.

It is the last day of advent and the start of the christmas season. Traditions of weihnachten influenced christmas and advent culture throughout the world. Kris kringle is a corruption of christkindl christ child it is the christkindl who brings gifts on christmas eve in germany not santa and it was the german american political cartoonist thomas nast 1840 1902 who gave us the modern image of santa claus in the 1860s. It is also widespread in countries with a german speaking minority such as transylvania in romania south tyrol in italy eupen in belgium and various diasporas such as the german brazilian and german american communities.

In german happy merry christmas is frohe weihnachten. Even some american christmas words come from german. Many people spend the afternoon and evening decorating christmas trees attending church services eating traditional dishes and opening christmas presents. Christmas in germany is a magical time.

Christmas eve heiliger abend is celebrated in germany on december 24. Weihnachten is the observance of what is commonly known in english as christmas eve in the german speaking countries such as germany austria and switzerland. When christmas eve falls on a working day the shops are open until noon and they are very busy as people buy their last presents or food for the festive meal. Germany celebrates christmas with two public holidays 25 and 26 december.

However christmas eve til the day after christmas can be a little quiet as these are family holidays. Without doubt christmas eve december 24 was the highlight of our christmas in germany. Christmas eve is the main day when germans exchange presents with their families. The german festive season starts at the end of november or early december with the advent celebrations.

In most german homes the food on offer is simple such as sausage and potatoes with the large christmas dinner reserved for the following day. It signals the end of advent and the coming of our lord jesus as a baby at christmas. For many people 24 december christmas eve is divided into a hectic morning and a festive evening. In germany christmas eve is called heiligabend which translates literally as holy evening.