What is a German Christmas delicacy?

The traditional Christmas meal features duck, goose, rabbit or a roast. This main dish is accompanied by German delicacies such as apple and sausage stuffing, red cabbage and potato dumplings. Dessert typically includes Christmas Stollen, considered one of the best Christmas pastries in the world!

What is the special food for Christmas in Germany?

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 ...

What is a traditional German Christmas?

While 25th December is still a national holiday in Germany, it's celebrated differently to how we do in England. Traditionally, the family will gather around a heartwarming meal, attend church, children will play with their new toys and the white candle of the Advent wreath (the one in the middle) will be lit.

What is the German treat at Christmas?

These include Weckmännchen, Butterkekse, Spekulatius, Lebkuchen, Aachner Printen, Dominosteine, Pfeffernüsse, Zimtsterne, Dresdner Stollen, Honigkuchen, Makronen and, of course, Marzipan. Most are easily baked at home. A few classic German holiday recipes are definitely for the experienced baker!

Why do Germans eat goose on Christmas?

In 1588, Queen Elizabeth I of England ordered everyone to have roast goose for their Christmas meal because it was the what she had been doing when news of the English victory over the Spanish Armada reached her. Goose then became the traditional Christmas dish in England and spread from there to Germany.

German Christmas Food Traditions - German Christmas Dinner Menu

Why don't we eat Christmas goose?

But there's no protocol for testing slaughtered geese for toxins, so they end up in landfills instead of in your dining room. Another hunch is the rise of agricultural technology in the 20th century made it easier and more affordable to buy other meats.

What is German Krampus?

Krampus, in central European popular legend, a half-goat, half-demon monster that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime. He is the devilish companion of St. Nicholas. Krampus is believed to have originated in Germany, and his name derives from the German word Krampen, which means “claw.”

What dessert do Germans eat at Christmas?

The traditional German cake for Xmas is called (der) Stollen (Christstollen or Weihnachtsstollen) with Stollen originally meaning pillar. It is made of yeast dough and contains nuts and dried fruit such as raisin.

What is the German Christmas flower?

In remembrance of this holy story, many Germans display white chrysanthemums at Christmas to symbolise their own willingness to shelter Christ. Today, white chrysanthemums are more commonly linked with death, making them a popular funeral flower, but this tale links them with birth, blessedness and gratitude.

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 is a fun fact about Christmas in Germany?

The Christmas tree only goes up Christmas Eve

In Germany trees are put up on December 24th. While this varies more nowadays, it is still tradition in many homes. Meanwhile, the rest of the home is decorated well beforehand — it's just the centerpiece which is saved until last.

What is the name of the German fruitcake?

Stollen is a cake-like fruit bread made with yeast, water and flour, and usually with zest added to the dough. Orangeat (candied orange peel) and candied citrus peel (Zitronat), raisins and almonds, and various spices such as cardamom and cinnamon are added.

What is the symbol of Christmas in Germany?

German Good Luck Symbols or German Christmas Symbols: As Found in German Pyramids, German Smokers, German Cuckoo Clocks and German Nutcrackers. Germany is known for providing the candle pyramid, nutcrackers, and smokers to Christmas celebrations, but there are many other Christmas symbols, which stem from this country.

What is traditional German food?

Whilst there are regional variations in food culture, most German recipes focus heavily on bread, potatoes, and meat, especially pork, as well as plenty of greens such as types of cabbage and kale. Cake, coffee, and beer are all highly popular elements of German cuisine too - which will be good news to most!

What is a German Adventskranz?

The “Adventskranz” is an advent wreath made out of fir sprigs with four, usually red, candles. It either hangs from the ceiling or sits on the table. And often the wreaths are decorated with bows or other festive decorations.

What is traditionally 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 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 is the famous Christmas tree in Germany?

Today the most famous features of Dortmund Weihnachtsmark are the world's largest Christmas tree with more than 45 meters. The tree is made of 1,700 spruces from Sauerland. Twenty huge candles and 48,000 lights shine over the Christmas market. The top is decorated with a four-meter-high angel.

What is the German Christmas female?

Frau Perchta isn't as well known as Krampus these days, which is a shame, because this Christmas-time goddess/witch/all-around-terrifying-gal deserves a lot more press. She's a staple in the Alpine regions of southern Germany and Austria, but relatively under-the-radar in North America.

What are the best Christmas treats in Germany?

What food is hung on a Christmas tree in German culture?

Each December, millions of people dust off Christmas ornaments and hang them on their respective trees. They carefully place glass baubles and string lights and choose between novelty ornaments. And a small percentage of these people, following a German tradition, hang a Christmas pickle, or Weihnachtsgurke.

What is a famous German dessert?

Why was Krampus banned?

“We know Krampus dates back to before the Inquisition because it was banned then. Anyone caught dressing up as a Krampus faced the death penalty because it was perceived as a devil figure.” Interestingly, the Nazis also banned Krampus for its pagan origins.

Does Germany have Santa Claus?

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.

What do Germans put on top of Christmas tree?

If you are like me, you may have wondered why you put a fairy on top of your Christmas tree! This tradition can be traced back to Germany where it's believed that fairies bring good luck to new babies and are a symbol of fertility. It also represents the Angel that announced the fore coming and birth of Jesus.