What do Germans call 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 Christmas Eve called in Germany?

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 does "weihnachten" mean literally?

From Middle High German wīhenahten (“Christmas”), from a dative plural ze den wīhen nahten (“in the holy nights”).

What do you say on Christmas Eve in Germany?

If you're planning to spend Christmas in Germany or with German-speaking friends, learning how to say Merry Christmas is a great way to get into the festive spirit. The most common way to wish someone a Merry Christmas in German is by saying Frohe Weihnachten (pronounced “FROH-eh VY-nahk-ten”).

Do Germans celebrate Christmas on the 24th?

There are two days of Christmas in Germany, the 25th and the 26th of December. For many people, Christmas Eve, on the 24th of December, has a hectic morning part and a festive evening part.

What Do Germans Call Christmas?

What do Germans do on the 25th and 26th of December?

December 25th and 26th are official holidays called First and Second Christmas Day (Erster und Zweiter Weihnachtstag). These days, Germans usually visit other parts of the family or dine out.

Why do Germans open presents on the 24th?

Christmas Eve

Since Germans celebrate his birthday that day, they receive presents and joy in return. That is why secondly, the opening of presents occurs on the evening of Dec. 24, and not on the morning of Dec. 25.

Why is Christmas Eve more important than Christmas Day 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.

Is it polite to say "merry Christmas Eve"?

In the US, Australia, and Canada, people usually say “Merry Christmas” on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or other days in December. Only say “Happy Christmas” or “Merry Christmas” when you know that your audience observes Christmas.

How do you say Christmas in German slang?

Frohe Weihnachten

It is short, spot on and easy to learn — even for beginners. Frohe means joyful and Weihnachten of course translates to Christmas. Nothing could describe this magical time of the year with all its treats, decorations and stories better.

What does "o tannenbaum" mean in German?

O Tannenbaum, which literally translates to “O fir tree,” is a combination of the tune from an old German folksong “Es lebe hoch der Zimmermannsgeselle” (“Long live the carpenter's apprentice”), and words penned in 1824 by Ernst Anschütz, a Leipzig schoolmaster, based on a 16th-century Silesian folk song by Melchior ...

What is Ostern in German?

Easter, or Ostern, is one of the most significant holidays in Germany, celebrated with religious traditions, festive gatherings, and well-known symbols such as Easter eggs (Ostereier) and the Easter Bunny (Osterhase).

What do Germans call the day after Christmas?

Second Christmas Day (or Boxing Day) | December, 26

The day after Christmas, or Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag, is also a public holiday.

What do French people call Christmas Eve?

Le Réveillon De Noël – christmas Eve

Le Réveillon de Noël is similar to Christmas Eve in other cultures. In France, they celebrate Le Réveillon… on the 24th December with family or close acquaintances in the form of a large meal.

What are the last four weeks before Christmas called in Germany?

Christmas is a celebration that is prepared for a long time - the four weeks of preparation for the Christmas Eve are called Advent.

What do Italians call Christmas Eve?

Christmas Eve, or La Vigilia, marks the most important celebration in the Italian Christmas calendar.

What do I say instead of "merry Christmas"?

Holiday, which dates back before the year 950, stems from the Old English word hāligdæg, meaning “holy day.” Happy holidays is often seen as the more inclusive alternative to saying merry Christmas. No matter which phrase you choose, you're still acknowledging someone's holy day and wishing them well.

Should I say "Merry Christmas" on the 24th or 25th?

Most Christians celebrate on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar, which has been adopted almost universally in the civil calendars used in countries throughout the world.

Who celebrates Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day?

In Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Colombia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Quebec (French Canada), Romania, Uruguay, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland, Christmas presents are ...

Which language do they speak in Germany?

The official language of Germany is German, with over 95% of the population speaking German as their first language. Minority languages include Sorbian, spoken by 0.09% in the east of Germany and North Frisian spoken in Nordfriesland by around 10,000 people, or 0.01%, who also speak German.

Do Europeans put up Christmas lights?

Several days before Christmas the towns and villages of France take on a festive air. Town hall facades are decorated, huge trees are erected in the major squares and the main streets begin to dazzle with a wonderful array of Christmas lights.

What do German families do on Christmas Eve?

Many families spend the evening assembling and decorating their Christmas tree before sitting down to a traditional meal. As many Germans are Catholic, Midnight Mass is on the itinerary, and most won't eat meat before heading to Church. This means the traditional Christmas Eve meal is often fish.

Why is everything closed on a Sunday in Germany?

Some continue to observe the existing Federal rules, while others have liberalized them somewhat, although the general Federal ban concerning opening on Sundays and holidays remains in effect, owing to a provision in the German constitution recognizing Sunday as a day of rest and a corresponding decision of the Federal ...

Why is 3 October a holiday in Germany?

The Day of German Unity is Germany's national holiday. It commemorates the German reunification in 1990 and is traditionally celebrated with a festival around Platz der Republik, Straße des 17. Juni and the Brandenburg Gate. October 3rd is the Day of German Unity and a nationwide public holiday.