Season’s Greetings

“Are you ready for Christmas?” This is what the Brits often ask at this time of year, meaning have you bought all your presents, decorated the house, decided who is going to visit who and when … etc. etc. – No stress of course 😊. Ah, Christmas! Did you know that Germans and Brits celebrate this festive season a bit differently?

In England, Christmas begins the moment you hear „All I Want for Christmas Is You“ in November. By December, the streets are filled with twinkling lights, and the shopping centres are packed with stressed shoppers. Of course, this happens here too but what I really like about Germany is the tradition of celebrating Advent, lighting a new candle every Sunday and visiting the lovely Christmas markets (which I know can also be packed 😊).

In Germany, the Christmas days (Christmas Eve (24.12), Christmas Day (25.12) and Boxing Day (26.12)) are often spent more quietly with family – and traditions are at the forefront. In the UK, tradition is also important but there is more of a party atmosphere and the traditions are more light-hearted, such as paper crowns and silly jokes you find in Christmas crackers and playing funny games. Presents are opened here on Christmas Eve in a relaxed manner whereas in England the wrapping paper is torn off on Christmas Day morning, often while still in pyjamas.

Here I’ve noticed that every family has its own food traditions. In England, most people eat the same meal on Christmas Day: turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes, and Brussels sprouts (Rosenkohl). Why sprouts? No idea – I’ve never understood how anyone can eat them!!! But then of course there are the yummy mince pies …

You can read all about British Christmas tradition here.