What do German families do on Christmas Eve?

Christmas Eve (Heiliger Abend) is a day of celebrations for Germans. Traditionally, many households will spend the day decorating the tree, preparing food for the family and sprucing up the home. As soon as the night draws in, households will gather around the tree.

How do Germans celebrate Christmas Eve?

If Christmas Eve falls on a weekday, shops remain open until noon and tend to be packed as people rush to buy their last remaining presents or food for the festive meal. Then it's time to decorate the Christmas tree with fairy lights and baubles, to wrap the presents and prepare the meal.

Do Germans open gifts on Christmas Eve?

Assuming you're from America, Germans have somewhat different traditions for Christmas. They don't open presents the morning of Christmas day like we do, instead presents are opened the evening on the 24th, typically after going to church. If she grew up religious, that's probably what her experience was like.

What do Germans do on the 24th of December?

Christmas Eve (Heiliger Abend) is celebrated in Germany on December 24. It is the last day of Advent and the start of the Christmas season. Many people spend the afternoon and evening decorating Christmas trees, attending church services, eating traditional dishes and opening Christmas presents.

What do families do on Christmas Eve?

5 German Christmas traditions you should know | History Stories

What are the rules for Christmas Eve?

According to tradition, the Christmas Eve dinner must not contain meat. It is quite common to attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and practice the old custom of abstinence from meat on the day (but not fasting, which is observed by the Eastern Orthodox Church).

What are traditions on Christmas Eve?

Let's take a look at some of the different Christmas Eve traditions from around the world: The United States sets out cookies and milk for Santa. Many Canadians open their presents on Christmas Eve. Russians traditionally fast until evening on Christmas Eve.

What do Germans attend on Christmas Eve?

Christmas Eve (Heiliger Abend) is a day of celebrations for Germans. Traditionally, many households will spend the day decorating the tree, preparing food for the family and sprucing up the home. As soon as the night draws in, households will gather around the tree.

What is the most Christmassy city in Germany?

Gingerbread, Christkindlesmarkt, Children's Christmas Market and Unforgettable Moments. There are 1001 reasons to fall in love again and again with Nuremberg at Christmastime. For some, it's the delicious smell of exotic spices in the world-famous Nuremberg gingerbread.

What is Christmas Eve called in German?

In Germany, the main day of Christmas celebration is Christmas Eve, also known as “Heiligabend”. During the day, stores and most businesses are only open until noon or the early afternoon.

What do Germans traditionally eat on Christmas Eve?

A German Christmas Eve

This culinary tradition continues today in many families, even if no church going is involved, with carp, salmon or hake often taking centre stage at the table, accompanied by fried potatoes or Kartoffelpuffer (potato fritters) and Sauerkraut.

Is Christmas Eve more important in Germany?

Unlike in the UK or the USA, where the Christmas holiday period begins on the 25th of December, in Germany, Christmas Eve on the 24th of December is considered the main day for Christmas celebrations. That's when the Christmas tree is put up and decorated and presents are opened.

Who delivers presents on Christmas Eve in Germany?

Christmas Eve: A Time for Celebration

After dinner, children eagerly await their gifts. In some regions, gifts are delivered by the Christkind, a radiant figure resembling an angel, while in others, it's the jolly Weihnachtsmann (Santa Claus) who brings joy to children's hearts.

Do Germans open their presents on Christmas Eve?

Most families in Germany open their presents on Christmas Eve. But if Saint Nicholas was part of the original inspiration behind Santa Claus, then why doesn't everyone open their gifts on the saint's feast day, December 6, you may ask? Well, this is due to a certain Protestant reformer meddling with the dates.

What do Germans put on a Christmas tree?

Everything that shines and glitters, such as Christmas balls, bells, angel figures or shimmering tinsel, is popular. In Germany, it is still customary to put up real trees and decorate them with real candles.

Why don't Germans celebrate Christmas?

Only 78% of the people in Germany celebrate Christmas, compared to 93% of Americans. Germany is a largely Christian country, while the Holiday spirit is alive and well, the season identifies less-and-less with it's church-going traditions.

What is usually eaten on Christmas Eve?

On Christmas Eve (Noche Buena), the extended family join for a dinner of roast turkey and white rice seasoned with garlic. Roast potatoes and cooked sweetened apple puree are often served as well. The main dessert is panettone. It is usually accompanied by a cup of thick hot chocolate.

What to do in Christmas Eve Day?

Christmas Eve activities in London

Stroll around the city in search of the best London Christmas lights, while waiting for Father Christmas to visit. Or head to one of London's scenic parks such as Richmond Park and Regent's Park for a beautiful wintry walk.

Where do people traditionally go on Christmas Eve?

Christmas Eve has many of its own customs and traditions. The most widely practised one that still exists today is going to a Midnight Mass Church Service. In many countries, especially Catholic ones such as Spain, Mexico, Poland and Italy, this is the most important Church service of the Christmas season.

Why can't you sleep on Christmas Eve?

For the majority of December (and, let's face it, November) they've been bombarded by festive imagery and it all leads toward a single point – Christmas Day. So, naturally, by Christmas Eve, their excitement levels are stratospheric, making it difficult to sleep.

Do people go out to eat on Christmas Eve?

Some people go all out on Christmas Eve, while others save their energy (and ovens) for Christmas Day proper.

Why is meat not allowed on Christmas Eve?

The origins vary, depending on who you ask, but quite clearly, you did not eat meat on Christmas Eve since it was the birth of Jesus, just as you would not eat meat on Good Friday. Traditionally, my family serves the feast of the seven fishes on Christmas Eve.

How do German families celebrate Christmas Eve?

Traditionally, on Heiligabend (Christmas Eve) in Germany, a simple meal will be prepared and served before or after the Bescherung ("time for exchanging gifts"), in contrast to the big meal on Christmas Day.

Do Germany celebrate Christmas on the 24th?

Christmas in Germany is called Weihnachten, and it is a three day holiday. The main celebration is on Christmas Eve (Heiligabend), December 24th. Shops and offices are usually open until noon (unless it is a Sunday), and then everything closes up for a mainly silent and quiet time spent with family.

What takes place on Christmas Eve either before or after dinner in Germany?

As it has become less common to attend church on Christmas Eve, many households start by having Christmas dinner and singing Christmas carols before exchanging gifts, which is often the highlight of the season. Everyone unwraps the presents that the Christkind or Santa Claus left them underneath the Christmas tree.