"Frohe Weihnachten" - Merry Christmas
You will find Christmas traditions celebrated in every country and especially in Germany. A big part of the Christmas celebration in Germany is Advent. In Germany December 24th (Heiliger Abend) is the last day of Advent and the beginning of the holiday season. Many familes spend this day decorating their Christmas tree, eating traditional food like carp and goose, going to church and is also the main day when Germans exchange gifts. Advent wreaths and Advent calendars are used to recieve gifts and treats for the first 24 days and electric candles adorn each window. Another fun part of [Christmas] in Germany is the Christmas markets scattered throughout the country where the sale of food and decorations are plenty. Hand blown glass ornaments are the most famous Christmas decoration in Germany. Children believe in two different type of Santas. One is "Christkind", and is tradition for children to write letters to "Christkind"- the Christ Child asking for presents. The letters from the children are left on the windowsill anytime during Advent. Another Santa is called "Father Christmas" (Weihnachtsmann), both "Father Christmas" and "Christkind" deliver presents on Christmas Eve. It is also tradition for small work parties and school celebrations to use secret santas to ditribute gifts to everyone. It is thought to be bad luck to try to find out who sent each present. Another tradition has to do with raising money for charity is called the Sternsinger, four children, three dress up as wise men and the fourth carries the star of Bethlehem on a stick, going from house to house, sing a song and collecting money between December 27 and January 6. After singing they write a signature over the door and should not be washed away or is considered bad luck. The sign needs to fade away on its own.
Hellokids has a wonderful selection of Christmas traditions in Germany printable coloring pages, crafts, activities, games and ideas to keep your children learning and having fun throughout the Christmas season. Color the joyous printable coloring sheets online or print to color at home. Make a lovely Christmas Advent calendar to help celebrate the holiday season or try making your own Christmas candle to decorate your windows at home. There is lots of merry fun to have on the Christmas for kids channel. Start your holiday fun today!