What do Germans do with their Christmas tree on January 6th?

In Germany, it marks the end of the Christmas season: all Christmas markets close by January 6, and on the evening of Epiphany, families typically light their Christmas trees for a final time before taking down their decorations.

What is the German tradition for January 6th?

Three Kings Day | January, 6

Also known as the Epiphany, Three Kings Day (Heilige Drei Könige) is the day the German Christmas tree is taken down and child carol singers dressed as kings collect money for charity. It is a public holiday in not all but a few states; namely, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bavaria, and Sachsen.

What is the Christmas tree tradition in Germany?

Traditionally, the tree is only put up in Germany on 24th December. While this now varies from family to family, many of the older generation still deck the halls on the morning of Christmas Eve. The rest of the home is decorated beforehand, but it's just the tree which is saved until last.

How long do Germans leave their Christmas tree up?

Once the tree has been decorated on Christmas Eve, the tree remains in the house for the 12 days of Christmas, which ends on January 6. Also known as Epiphany, the day which the wise men were said to visit baby Jesus. However, some Catholic parts of Germany keep their tree up until February 2^nd (Candlemas).

Do Germans celebrate Christmas on the 6th?

At the Christmas markets, you can buy small gifts, food and, of course, delicious mulled wine. 🎅 Every year on 6 December, St Nicholas Day is celebrated in Germany. When the children look outside the door in the morning, they find sweets and small gifts in their polished boots or shoes.

5 German Christmas traditions you should know | History Stories

What do Germans do on the 6th of December?

Nikolaus Day — still celebrated Dec. 6 every year — is a preliminary round of Christmas gifts and holiday cheer in Bavaria. During this holiday, St. Nikolaus visits towns to read from his book and hand out small gifts of nuts, fruits and chocolate from a burlap sack.

What happens on the 6th of December in Germany?

6 December is Saint Nicholas Day, better known as Nikolaus in Germany. While the day may not receive the full religious celebration it does in Southern Germany and other traditionally Catholic regions, children across Europe look forward to this day each year.

Why do you leave your Christmas tree up 12 days after Christmas?

Taking down your Christmas tree before the twelfth day of Christmas or Epiphany (either January 5 or 6) is thought to be bad luck by many people.

What do they call Santa in Germany?

German children call Santa Claus 'Weihnachtsmann' which translates to Christmas man. The Weihnachtsmann is a recent Christmas tradition which has little if any religious or folkloric background.

What are 5 facts about Christmas in Germany?

The Christmas tree has found its place into German homes at the end of 18th century. In 2019 29,8 million of Christmas trees were sold in the country. Germans love the mulled wine – each year they drink 50 million liters of it. Several tons of ginger bread cookies and printen are made every year in Germany.

What is a German Christmas tree called?

The tradition of the Christmas tree finds its roots in Germany around 16^th Century. The German Christmas tree, known as Tannenbaum or Weihnachtsbaum, was recorded to be used as a central décor of Christmas by the southern Germans.

What are some facts about German Christmas trees?

Where did the modern Christmas tree originate? The modern Christmas tree originated in Germany, where families set up a paradise tree in their homes on December 24, the religious feast day of Adam and Eve. They hung wafers on it (symbolizing the Eucharistic host, the Christian sign of redemption).

What item is often hidden in Christmas trees in Germany?

And a small percentage of these people, following a German tradition, hang a Christmas pickle, or Weihnachtsgurke. They don't just hang a pickle ornament, though. Followers of this tradition hide the tiny, green pickle within the tree's many branches.

What are the traditions for January 6th?

On January 6, a "Rosca de Reyes" (a ring-shaped Epiphany cake) is eaten and all Christmas decorations are traditionally put away.

What do Germans do on Epiphany?

Because Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season in Germany, another common activity on this day is to take down all of the Christmas trees and other holiday decorations. Sometimes, an entire community will get together and burn their Christmas trees as a festive group event.

What do people do on the 6th of January?

Don't miss out on eating the Roscón de Reyes cake

In Spain on January 6th, families gather together and cut into a sweet treat called Roscón de Reyes - a circular cake filled with cream. If you slice into it and get a figurine of a king - you are a king for the day.

What do German kids call Santa?

Santa Claus - Der Weihnachtsmann

The term Weihnachtsmann is a very generic German term for Father Christmas, St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus. The German Weihnachtsmann is a fairly recent Christmas tradition having little if any religious or folkloric background.

What do German eat on Christmas day?

At the centre of a German Christmas evening spread you'll usually find a roasted goose, turkey or duck, traditionally served with lovely plump bread dumplings – the classic round ones, or one great big festive loaf-shaped one, known as a Serviettenknödel (pictured sliced, above), plus braised red cabbage or stewed kale ...

Is Santa Claus Turkish or German?

The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around A.D. 280 in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey.

Is 12th night the 5th or 6th of January?

The Church of England counts from Christmas Day, so the Twelfth Night always falls on 5th January. But other denominations, including the Catholic Church, start counting the 12 Days of Christmas from Boxing Day, so the 6th January is the Twelfth Night and also Epiphany.

Is it bad luck to leave Christmas tree up after January 6?

That means you can enjoy the twinkling lights for a little while longer, because Twelfth Night falls on either 5th or 6th January 2024 – and the dates depend on tradition. Be warned though: leaving your Christmas decorations up after this date is thought to bring bad luck.

Do Christmas decorations come down on 5th or 6th January?

What date should you take your Christmas tree down? Seeing as Christmas time can be the busiest time of year for all families, when you put up your tree is completely up to you. However, according to tradition, you must take your tree and decorations down by the 5th of January.

What do Germans eat on St. Nicholas Day?

A traditional table might have Bishop's wine, breads, St. Nicholas-shaped cookies, and a special main dish reserved for the holiday. In France, that might be pork with mustard and apples. In Germany, you might enjoy Pfannkuchen, or German pancakes.

What happens on the 5th and 6th of December in Germany?

Christmas starts early in Germany. On the night of December 5th-6th, Nikolaustag, St. Nicholas Day, children leave their shoes or boots outside the front door. That night, Santa Claus, Nikolaus, visits and fills them with chocolates, oranges and nuts if they've been good.

Why do we put shoes out on St. Nicholas Day?

Nicholas is where the inspiration for Santa Claus came from. A poor man had three daughters, and he had no way to pay their dowry. At the time, shoes were set out by the fire to dry, and St. Nicholas reportedly made gold appear in the three girls' shoes for their dowry.