A Tale of Two Christmases: Holiday Traditions in Germany and Austria Close your eyes and picture the quintessential Christmas scene. For many, images of evergreen trees glittering with baubles, houses trimmed in tiny white lights, and stockings hung with care likely come to mind. Carols ringing through the brisk air, the spiced scent of gingerbread baking, and perhaps even visions of sugar plums dance through imaginations. Yet Christmas unfolds quite differently depending on where you call home. And for those with German or Austrian roots, it’s a magical season filled with beloved traditions centuries in the making. From outdoor markets aglow with the Christmas spirit to quaint mountain villages that look like they leaped off a holiday postcard, Christmas in Deutschland buzzes with enchantment. Preparations Underway After St. Martin’s Day While Christmas décor springs up the day after Thanksgiving back in the States, Germans and Austrians embrace a slightly more gradual lead-up. The holiday season officially commences on St. Martin’s Day, November 11th. On this evening, children walk the streets carrying handmade paper lanterns as neighbors gather to welcome the coming weeks of winter traditions and cheer. The following Sunday, the first advent wreath candle gets lit over Sunday dinner, counting down the four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. Each week another candle joins the first amid folk songs and festive sweets. Before long, the outdoor Christmas markets unique to Germany and Austria raise their wooden gates, signaling the start of magical Weihnachtsmarkts filled with nostalgic treasures and Yuletide indulgences. As December dawns, snow-capped Alpine landscapes provide an even more glorious backdrop for getting into the Christmas spirit Austrian style. From Krampus to Angels: Beloved Christmas Characters While American kids know all about Santa and his trusty elves, children in Deutschland and Österreich grow up enchanted by an entirely different cast of Christmas characters. On December 5th, Germans set boots out by the door for St. Nicholas to fill with tiny gifts and treats overnight. But far from the jolly man in red, their Nikolaus dons bishop robes and a towering miter hat as he goes about his gift-giving accompanied not by helpful elves but the devilish Krampus. This fearsome horned creature recalls a sinister goat demon from ages past who unleashes his wrath upon naughty children. So while good German girls and boys were awake to candy, fruit, and small toys, the ill-behaved find onlycharcoal or sticks left behind by Krampus as a frightening reminder to mend their ways. Just as American kids line up to sit on Santa’s lap and relay their wish lists, young ones in Germany and Austria share their hopes and dreams with Christkindl, or “Christ Child.” Often the oldest daughter of the family dresses up as this angelic being with golden curls and a sparkling crown to hear Christmas wishes. So between St. Nicholas, Krampus, an This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.
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2023/12/1711 分