German children leave out handwritten letters before going to bed. Germans have more of a Christmas angel, the "Christkind," than a Santa, and they don't leave any snacks. Instead, they leave the angel handwritten letters that are decorated with sparkles and markers.
Traditionally, Santa Claus, or Weihnachtsmann in German, does not drop down chimneys and deliver gifts the eve of Dec. 25 in Germany. Instead, the Christkind or Christkindl, an angel-like creature with blond hair and wings, brings gifts to families on the eve of Christmas.
Germany. On Christmas Eve, German children write handwritten letters to the Christkind, a gift-bearing angel that represents the Spirit of Christmas. On Christmas morning, the letters are gone and replaced with gifts.
What is traditionally left out for Santa on Christmas Eve?
In the UK, we often leave out mince pies, a carrot for the reindeer and a little sherry to help Santa on his merry way. In the US, milk and cookies are more traditional, and in Australia, he can even expect a refreshing ice-cold beer to help with the scorching heat of summer.
5 German Christmas traditions you should know | History Stories
What do kids in Sweden leave for Santa?
And many other countries have their own special treats to leave for Santa and whatever animal pulls his sleigh. Children in the United Kingdom leave the holiday-favorite mince pie, Swedish kids leave a special Christmas-time rice porridge, and in Germany, the gift is instead a letter to Santa.
Japan. Christmas is considered a romantic holiday by the Japanese. Santa-san gets no particular treats, but if he's lucky he might get to sample some of the food and drink that the Japanese like to celebrate Christmas with – KFC and a special edition version of Pepsi that tastes of strawberry cake.
Rice Porridge for Santa: The Christmas rice pudding is a dessert, a very important one during Christmas. This is the one you leave out for Santa. So instead of leaving cookies and milk for Santa, you would leave rice pudding.
Although Australians also leave cookies for Santa to snack on, they replace the glass of milk with a cold glass of beer. December is actually summer for Australia, so the glass of beer might be just what Santa needs in the hot weather.
British diplomat Andrew Overton notes that "British children will often leave out a mince pie and a nip of sherry to brace Father Christmas for the chill." In Ireland, things get jollier with a pint of Guinness (and that splash of whiskey that Mrs. Claus has ready when Santa gets home).
According to the ING International Christmas Survey, more than half - 53% - of Germans get money or gift cards for Christmas, rather than a gift. So if you're in doubt about what to buy - now you know. A good chunk of people - 38% - get practical gifts, while some 25% get luxury items.
Unlike Christmas Day celebrations in England, the Germans know 25th December as 'Erster Feiertag', which means first celebration day. While the presents will have all been opened on Christmas Eve, the 25th is a still a day where families gather, good food is eaten and people enjoy well-deserved time off work.
Weihnachten (German: [ˈvaɪ̯naxtn̩]) is the observance of what is commonly known in English as Christmas in the German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
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.
Krampus is thought to come from either Bavarian: krampn, meaning "dead", "rotten", or from the German: kramp/krampen, meaning "claw". The Krampus is considered to be a half-goat, half-demon monster in some legends. Its role is to punish bad children or scare them into being good.
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.
The Santa Claus that we know lives in the North Pole. According to some North American sources, his original name was Kris Kringle before he changed his name to Santa Claus. Kris Kringle was a toymaker who married Jessica. Other names found for Mrs Claus are Mary Christmas, Gertrude, and Carol.
What do children leave out for the reindeer in Netherlands?
Ever wondered just why mince pies and milk are always left out for Santa on Christmas Eve (and of course a carrot for Rudolph)? It all started in the Netherlands. December 6 is the Festival of St Nicholas, when Dutch children leave him food & drink in exchange for presents.
In the past, the Netherlands would celebrate Christmas on Dec. 6, so on Dec. 5 the kids would leave out their shoes and wake up to their shoes being filled with treats. This would change over time and eventually lead to children leaving out cookies and milk for Santa instead.
Christmas presents from close family members and close friends are common among the Norwegians; the presents will normally be stored under the Christmas tree and then after dinner and the walk around the Christmas tree, they will be opened.
Unlike the bloated, red-coated father Christmas of the West, Russia's Santa Claus, known as Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost), is slender with a wizard-like flowing beard and he wears a long robe that comes in different colors, such as blue and white.
Santa is known as Papai Noel and Bom Velhinho (Good Old Man) in Brazil, and while he is delivering presents in the southern hemisphere he changes into his lighter weight Santa suit. This one is made of silk to keep him cool in the warm summer weather.
Norwegians have their own version of Santa Claus, called Julenisse. In Scandinavian folklore, a nisse is a short, mythological gnome-like creature with a long white beard and a red cap. Though mischievous, he is responsible for the protection and welfare of the farmstead and its buildings.
