We’ve all sung it hundreds of times, in German, Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht, or in English, Silent Night. It’s THE Christmas song in most German households. It is the last song before the end of the Christmas Eve church service and the last song before the Bescherung. Silent Night is a song we all know the words to in German…
Author: karenanne
What is the Weihnachtsmann? A German Christmas Gift- Giver
This is the time of year when things can get confusing for some people; in Germany, there is St Nicholas, the Christkind, AND the Weihnachtsmann… but Who is bringing the presents? What is the Weihachtsmann? To make the ‘gift-giver’ issue even more confusing, there are mixed families here in the US where one parent grew up with Santa Claus! How…
Your Local Friend Live Virtual Tours of Christmas in Munich!
So… Your Trip to Germany was cancelled this year. Don’t be too sad! You can still take the whole family and a bunch of your friends on a LIVE (Virtual) Tour of Munich with Your Local Friend! Visit the Christmas Markets, learn a little history, hear some great stories… all without having to pay Airfare! (You don’t even need your…
Traditions from Germany- Traditional German Christmas Decorations
Scrolling through the Traditions from Germany website is a bit like wandering through an authentic German Christmas market from the comfort of your own home. The charming wood and glass ornaments, handcrafted Pyramids, chubby Smokers, and even brightly lit Herrnhutter Sterne, bring joy and smiles to people who display them during the holiday season. You could say that Sheri and Jochen…
“Effigy: Poison and the City”
Recently, I was asked to screen the German film “Effigy: Poison and the City” directed by Udo Flohr. I went in blind, no idea at all what the movie was about, other than being told it is a historical drama. Well, I love movies, I love history, and I love Germany. I was all in. The movie takes place in…
Weihnachtspunsch Recipe -German Christmas Punch
On my Christmas Market tour, I discovered that there are MANY more hot drink choices than just Glühwein and Feuerzangenbowle. I saw Kinderpunsch (punch for kids), Eierlikorpunsch (a warm Eggnoggy Punsch), Weihnachtspunsch, or Christmas Punch. This hot and rich Punch came loaded with holiday flavors, but until I found this Weihnachtspunsch Recipe, I couldn’t quite put my taste buds on…
German Side Dish Ideas for Thanksgiving Dinner
When I was growing up, my mother never made the traditional American Thanksgiving meal of big roast Turkey, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, etc. We would have a German meal instead (which was fine by me; I’ll take a pork roast any day). Still, after being married to an American, I learned to make the American meal and incorporate a…
Schwibbogen German Christmas Light Arch from the Erzgebirge
Like many German Christmas decorations, the Schwibbogen came from the Erzgebirge. Beginning in the Middle Ages, the “Mettenschicht” was the traditional last work shift before Christmas in the Ore Mountains. In these deep dark mines, a miner’s light kept the darkness at bay, and hanging them together along an arch would light up the cavern. The tradition of Schwibbogen, or…
Great Gifts for People Who Miss Germany
This is the time of year I get a lot of emails and messages looking for gift ideas. They go something like this “My husband is German, and misses home”… “My daughter was an exchange student in Heidelberg, and I want to get her something to remind her”… “my wife’s Oma passed away, so the packages aren’t coming anymore”. We…
What is a Schnitzelbank- A Bench and a Funny Song
It was another one of those moments where I wondered if my family was German. But, it was yet another case of family from North Rhine Westphalia vs Midwest German-Americans. While in Wisconsin, I kept seeing a poster for the Schnitzelbank, so I asked, “What is a Schnitzelbank?“. I understand what a Schnitzelbank is. It’s a carving bench, but…