Christmas EveSince 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.
Well, in Germany, it is on the Heiliger Abend (literally “Holy Evening”, Christmas Eve), or more commonly, Heiligabend or Weihnachtsabend, that Geschenke (presents) are ausgepackt (unwrapped). So on December 24, not December 25!
Christmas Eve (Heiliger Abend) is a jam-packed 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.
Why do some people open Christmas presents on the 24th?
While it may come as a surprise, it's actually traditional for a number of countries to celebrate on Christmas Eve. In most parts of Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, presents are traditionally exchanged on the evening of December 24.
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.
Is it a German tradition to open presents on 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.
The nations that celebrate on December 24 are mostly Christian, and a Christian liturgical day always begins and finishes at sunset. As a result, Jesus is said to have been born at 5 p.m. on December 24, and his birthday finishes at the same time on December 25.
While some countries hold the main celebration on Christmas Eve, others wait until Christmas Day to get festive and, most importantly at least to kids, to open presents. In the United States, most families unwrap their gifts on Christmas Day, with the majority not waiting until breakfast to get cracking or unpacking.
🎁 In most countries, people don't celebrate Christmas until 25 December. In Germany, however, people celebrate a day earlier. Christmas Eve is on 24 December and every family has different traditions on this special day. 🤩💬 How do you celebrate Christmas with your near and dear ones?
In Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland, presents are traditionally exchanged on the evening of 24 December. Children are commonly told that presents were brought either by the Christkind (German for Christ child), or by the Weihnachtsmann.
Germans traditionally open their Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve, which is known as Heiligabend. This tradition is thought to have originated from the protestant church, where it was common to celebrate Christmas with a festive meal and gift-giving on the evening of December 24th.
Christmas Eve in Germany is a highlight in the annual calendar for many people, warming hearts with a unique blend of tradition and festive magic. This special day is celebrated not only as a religious festival, but also as an occasion to celebrate the love, community and values that make Christmas so unique.
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.
In German, the phrase "Frohe Weihnachten!" which translates to "Merry Christmas” is commonly used. If you prefer a more neutral expression, say "Frohes Fest!" ("Happy Celebration!") or "Schöne Feiertage!" ("Beautiful Holidays!").
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.
Christmas Eve Christmas Eve is celebrated on December 24, the day before the Christian holiday of Christmas. In most European countries, Christmas gifts are exchanged on Christmas Eve. European and North American churches hold services, some of which begin at midnight.
Very few will be open on the 24th. The 25th and 26th are official holidays and stores will be closed, but many restaurants do a booming business. Museums and tourist attractions may or may not be open, so it is best to check their websites.
The festivities begin on December 24, evening, often known as Christmas Eve. But on this day, individuals greet each other with the greeting “Merry Christmas” and not “Happy Christmas”.
For most children in the United States of America, Australia and the United Kingdom, gifts are opened on Christmas Day. In other parts of the world, children may open gifts at the end of the Epiphany.
Don't open gifts until Christmas? Not for the scores of families that like to get a little preview by opening just one gift on Christmas Eve. You can designate a specific gift or just pick from under the tree.
Christmas gifts are often exchanged on Christmas Eve (December 24), Christmas Day itself (December 25) or on the last day of the twelve-day Christmas season, Twelfth Night (January 5).
Treat guests to a traditional German Christmas dinner with classic dishes like roasted goose legs, braised red cabbage. and dumplings, and don't forget the mulled wine and platter of gorgeous, festive cookies.
Christmas Day is a public holiday in Germany. Post offices, banks, stores and businesses are closed. However, stores in some tourist areas may be open and stores at railway stations, airports and along highways are usually open. There are some restrictions on selling alcohol, public performances and dancing.
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.
