What are some of the “ country’s “ traditions that you come from .. in your family that you love?

With Christmas on its way, it’s my favorite holiday. I love to decorate around the house … and get a real Christmas tree.

From hand-carved wooden nutcrackers to scrumptious ‘Stollen’ – many Christmas traditions we know and love have originated from Germany, some of them dating back centuries. 

As we approach the festive season, we’ve rounded up some of the most famous German Christmas traditions, including customs, rituals, religious practices and folklore. Sit back (perhaps with a mug of Gluwein ) and learn about all the weird and wonderful Christmas traditions of our European neighbours. 

1. Advent calendars

While advent calendars are sold in most countries, the tradition originated in Germany. First used by German Lutherans in the 19th and 20th centuries, many families would mark the days leading up to Christmas by burning a candle or marking walls or doors with a line of chalk. 

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The tradition has since evolved, with retailers now selling chocolate advent calendars, covetable beauty advent calendars, and sustainable fill-your-own advent calendars, which are also popular in Germany.

‘I don’t think I’ve ever had a store-bought advent calendar. My Mum – bless her – would always make them herself. Not just the filling – she would sew or craft a calendar from fabric or even empty toilet paper rolls,’ says House Beautiful‘s daily writer Wanda Sachs, who grew up in Germany. 

2. Stockings are filled on 6th December 

Children in Germany receive their stockings on Saint Nicholas Day, 6th December. Known as the Feast of Saint Nicholas, this age-old tradition is observed in many European countries, regardless of religious denomination. 

‘You clean your boot the night before the 6th and then – only if you’ve done a good job – Sankt Nikolaus comes and fills it with oranges, chocolate, nuts and maybe even a little gift like a toy or a book,’ Wanda says.

3. Krampus night

Not a very merry tradition but a tradition nonetheless, Krampusnacht sees people dressing up as the horned creature Krampus and walking the streets the night before the celebration of the Feast of St Nicholas. Krampus is a devil-like figure who, during the festive season, scares children who have misbehaved. 

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4. Christmas Eve is the main day of celebration

Christmas Eve, or ‘Heiligabend’, is when Germans celebrate Christmas. Many households 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. 

According to tradition, the ‘Christkind’ (Christ child) delivers the presents when the children are waiting outside the room. A bell is rung for children to let them know it’s time to come into the room, where they find the presents lying under the tree. 

‘As a child, this was such a magical moment,’ recalls Wanda. ‘I remember being at my grandparents’ house and me and all my cousins would wait outside the living room door. At some point, we started questioning why our parents were also in that room when it was the Christkind bringing the presents. They told us they’re helping the Christkind.’

Families often sing carols before the ‘Bescherung’ (opening of gifts) begins. Some families visit a Christmas Eve service at their local church beforehand or afterwards, while others may indulge in delicious food that, according to tradition, isn’t the Christmas roast. 

5. Potato salad and sausages for dinner

Traditionally, the Christmas feast is reserved for Christmas Day on 25th December. On Christmas Eve, which isn’t a bank holiday in Germany, families would have instead had a meal that was easy to prepare to dedicate more time to church or the opening of the gifts.