No one does Christmas like the Germans, so it’s no great shock that many Christmas Traditions from Germany found their way to America. You can imagine it, can’t you? Prized ornaments wrapped in paper and safely tucked into suitcases next to handwritten recipes for Stollen and Lebkuchen. Memories of celebrating German Weihnachten connecting them to home. It’s interesting to see…
Category: Celebrating German Culture in America
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 incorporated a…
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…
What is Schuhplattler -All About this Bavarian Cultural Tradition
Slap the Shoes and then Smack the knees with Flat Hands… Men jumping around, stomping their feet, and slapping their knees and shoes, sometimes alone, sometimes in a circle with ladies who twirl as if ignoring them. From the outside, the Schuhplattler looks like a version of crazy dance moves you might see on a street corner. However, the dance…
Smashing a few German Stereotypes – Or Just Clearing them Up
I’ve come out from behind my computer keyboard a few times lately to promote various projects, and because of this, I’m being asked some strange questions. Now, I realize that stereotypes come from somewhere… but you would think that a few of these stereotypes about German people would vanish because of their ridiculousness. Someone actually asked me if I play…
German Clubs in North America- Find a German club Near You!
There is an old joke: “If you get three Germans in a room, and they will come out with five Clubs.” Seriously, Germans love to gather, which means one of the best ways to connect with other Germans is to join German Clubs. But you ask yourself, “How do I find a German Club near me?” I went looking and…
German Shop 24 Product Reviews- German Shopping Online
Recently Germanshop24 approached me, and asked if I would like to do regular reviews of some of their products. Since I do much of my German Shopping online… and already order many of my favorite items from them… I am MORE than happy to share German Shop 24 Product Reviews. GermanShop24 carries HUNDREDS of items… from food to cleaning…
German Towns in America- Where to Get Your Deutsch on in the US!
One in five Americans identifies as having German heritage, for a while, it was one in FOUR, so it’s no wonder there are so many German Towns in America. And since travel to Germany can be expensive, I thought I’d try to list a few worth visiting here in the US. Now, “German Towns” run from the simple, with a…
Silesian Poppy Seed Roll with Streusel (Other Fillings Too!!)
In my mom’s German Friend Group, she is famous for her Silesian Poppy Seed Roll with Streusel. (Although, to her, it’s just called “Mohnkuchen.”) Made with enriched yeast dough, a filling of Poppy Seed and raisins, and topped with a crunchy, flavorful Streusel, it’s usually the first to disappear from the table! Since I was a child, I didn’t want…