German New Year’s Eve traditions are a nice mix of staying in with family and friends and sending the old year out with a BANG and fireworks! How you celebrate depends on you. Personally, I’m a big fan of staying in, but ever since I was a child, we’ve made noise with fireworks and cheers when the clock strikes 12.…
Author: karenanne
Russian German Honey Cake Recipe
I held off sharing this Honey Cake Recipe for a long time because of its origins. You see, I got it from my friend Josephine, who got it from her Russian-German Grandmother (after MUCH arm-twisting and spying). The cake didn’t resemble the flat, square Honigkuchen I baked from an old family recipe. And 25 years ago, I didn’t know that…
A Visit to the Silent Night Chapel Oberndorf Austria
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…
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…