While researching Moravian Stars (aka Herrnhuttersterne), I came across sweet little folded German paper stars. While they didn’t look like the pointed Moravian stars, although that’s what many resources called them. In Germany, they are called Fröbelsterne or Froebel Stars. (Other names for the folded stars: German Star, Advent Star, Danish Star, Nordic Star, Polish Star, Pennsylvanian Star, Christmas Star,…
Author: karenanne
What is German Unity Day – Tag der Deutschen Einheit
What is German Unity Day or the Tag der Deutschen Einheit? This National Holiday is the celebration of when Germany unified into ONE whole country. For 41 years, Germany was split between the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and the Democratic Republic of Germany (East Germany). They existed as two separate nations. On November 9, 1989, the checkpoints at…
Oktoberfest Foods- Delicious Foods to Soak up all that Beer
When it comes to Oktoberfest, the first thing people seem to focus on is the BEER. But you want a base for all that alcohol… so don’t forget to EAT! Besides, the festival food is delicious. There are many traditional German Oktoberfest Foods that you will find served in the various Beer Tents and on the Wiesn. Feel confused by…
A Visit to Seiffen Germany- Germany’s Spielzeugdorf
I’m utterly convinced that, despite the North Pole story we were told as children, the real Santa’s workshop is actually in Seiffen, Germany. This tucked-away town in the Erzgebirge, known as the Spielzeugdorf or Toy Village, is renowned for its production of wooden toys and traditional German Christmas decorations. The main road is lined with stores full of Nutcrackers, Smokers,…
What is Apfelwein? Sparkling German Apple Wine
“Turn left at the main road, then cross over, and take the next right… you can’t miss it“. With those instructions from the Hotel Manager, my daughter and I headed out from our hotel in Sachsenhausen (Frankfurt) to find a Bembel of Apfelwein. It really wasn’t that hard. In fact, Sachsenhausen is KNOWN for it’s many Apfelwein restaurants, and we…
My Favorite Things About German Food- a Guest Post
Hello! It’s Katy, one of two daughters of German Girl in America here. This summer after graduating from college (WOOHOO!) my mom brought me along for a whirlwind road trip through Germany. To say I was stoked would be an understatement. You see, I actually have been to Germany a few times. Just in the past 3 years, I have…
What You Should Know About German Beer Coasters or Bierdeckel
When the server set the beer (and wine) in front of me with a coaster on top of it, a light bulb went off in my head. You see, German Beer Coasters are called Bierdeckel or Beer Lid, and I never quite understood why a coaster would be called a Deckel. It turns out that there’s some interesting history associated…
Katja, a German Girl in the UK
I love when someone shares their story with us. Katja is a German Girl from Berlin who now lives in the UK and runs her own German Catering Company. Just thinking about it makes me HUNGRY. I know you will enjoy her story too. If you have a story to share, email me at [email protected] My name is Katja,…
Eis in Germany – The Summertime Eis Culture in Germany
After breakfast, my Uncle made an announcement, “I’m treating everyone to Eis for lunch today.” And we were all delighted! Spaghetti Eis, Coup Danemark, Obst Becher, Raffallo Becher! Eis in Germany (Ice Cream) is considered a dessert OR a meal. And how great is that? Every year, Germans consume over 8 liters of Eis PER PERSON (That’s 113 scoops!! In…
Beer MBA Tour of Germany – Would YOU Go on a Beer Tour?
Whenever I told anyone I was taking the Beer MBA tour in Germany, I’d get the same response… “Isn’t every tour of Germany a Beer Tour?” Well.. no. It’s true that beer is hardly a scarce resource, but there is a HUGE difference between hanging out in a Biergarten enjoying a Maß, and hiking down the stairs to a subterranean…