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Christmas recipes and traditions in Germany

Christmas in Germany and Great Britain is one of the main celebrations of the year and I enjoy the Christmas traditions of both countries although they differ from each other.

In Germany, the main time to celebrate Christmas is not the morning of the 25.12 but the evening of the day beforehand. It is a tradition to eat sausages and potato salad which is a simple meal so that families can spend most of the time together under the Christmas tree. A larger meal with several courses is served on the 25th and 26th of December. Christmas time starts properly at the end of November after the so called “Dead Sunday” (Totensonntag), when families remember the loved ones they have lost. Afterwards, houses are decorated and Christmas markets open. The German cities Dresden (which is famous for its “Stollen”, another German speciality) and Nürnberg are known for their beautiful markets which attract many tourists every year. Like the annual Queen’s Christmas speech, the German President makes a “Weihnachtsansprache” which can be watched on television. In the afternoon of the 24th many families go to Christmas services and have tea at home together afterwards. In the evening, children traditionally recite Christmas poems they have learnt throughout the month and the whole family sings Christmas chorales such as “Silent Night”. Afterwards, presents are opened and the whole evening is spent together. On the following days, more family members come to visit.

And of course, both countries eat well during this festive time…

(image: Süddeutsche Zeitung)

One of the main specialities are so called “Lebkuchen” which are sweet specialities. This is a cake moulded cookie filled with spices and coated with chocolate.

These are not only eaten at Christmas but during the whole of December and are sold as early as November. Other specialities which are definitely worth a try are Spekulatius (spiced shortcrust biscuit) and Dominosteine (which are little cubes surrounded by dark chocolate). Christmas time in Germany!

And finally, a very easy German recipe: Bratapfel (baked apple) 4 medium sized apples 30g chopped walnuts 2 dessert spoons apple jelly 1 dessert spoon honey 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1 dessert spoon butter Firstly, wash the apples and remove the core. Place the apples in a greased oven proof dish. Mix the walnuts, apple jelly, honey and cinnamon and fill the apple centres. Place flakes of butter over the apples. Bake in a preheated oven at 200g C for about 30 minutes. They should be soft when cooked. If not eaten immediately, cover with aluminium foil. You can eat the apples with ice cream and vanilla sauce if you would like to in order to experience the true German Christmas feeling. The German word for Christmas is “Weihnachten” which comes from the Middle High German phrase “ral ze den wīhen nahten” (“in the holy nights”). So, wherever you are this Christmas, I wish you

Frohe Weihnachten!

Dictionary Corner

swoopsquack

a small venemous duck-like creature, that is extremely dangerous Jamie Gordon canathonian (can-a-thon-i-an) When you have a runny nose but no tissues Thomas Johnson

mungus (un-jus) When something is really unfair. Melis-Rose Ozcan

pliéntwo (plié -en- two) The state of uncontrollable laughter Anais Caberet

huityed (hi-yet) When one is lying on the beach and is hit with

a fish Oliver May

"It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light." -Aristotle

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." -Abraham Lincoln "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." -John Lennon