When I arrive on my Aunt’s doorstep in Germany, she greets me with “Kommt ‘rein… mach’s euch Gemütlich!” (Come in, make yourself gemütlich). And on family evenings, instead of making plans, my mother might say, “Wir machen uns Heute Abend Gemütlich” (tonight we will make ourselves gemütlich). A small, well-appointed room is described as “Gemütlich,” and a noisy, drafty restaurant…
Category: Celebrating German Culture in America
Was the US Official Language Almost German? The Muhlenberg Legend
One of my FAVORITE urban legends is one I even believed for a long time: The official Language of the United States was almost German. It gets better! The legend claims that in a Congressional vote, German lost by only one vote, and that’s why we speak English in America. I hate to bust this very exciting bubble, but it’s…
Leckerlee Lebkuchen – Authentic German Lebkuchen Made in America
It starts with the smell of spices… ginger… is that cardamom? And then you take that first bite. “oh my gosh”. You get the nuts and citrus. The texture is amazing. I’ve been eating Lebkuchen my whole life, but outside of a German Christmas Market, I’ve never had it as fresh or flavorful as Leckerlee Lebkuchen. This is Lebkuchen baked…
The German Christmas Shop Favorite Christmas Memory Giveaway 2019
I’m excited to announce The German Christmas Shop Favorite Christmas Memory Giveaway! Share your favorite Christmas Memory (in 25 words or less) and you might win a $300 Gift Voucher to The German Christmas Shop! Contest runs from November 21 until November 30, 2019. On December 1, 2020 we will announce the winner of a $300 Gift Voucher!…
The German Christmas Shop- For those Special Christmas Memories
You remember it…that Christmas Eve special magic that comes from the movement and light of a spinning Christmas Pyramid. The special “Christmassy” incense smell coming from Santa’s pipe. Finding my favorite special German Ornaments on the tree… and knowing that under the tree in a special box would be one for my tree when I’m grown. The people at The…
Deutsches Haus New Orleans – The Story of Germans in Louisiana
I love finding pockets of Germany in unexpected corners of the United States. A few years ago, while visiting New Orleans for the Jazz Fest, I stumbled across a booth run by women in Dirndl. What a surprise to learn that Germans had a significant impact on the city’s development and that Germans STILL have a strong presence in New…
Where to Buy Your Favorite Birkenstock Sandals
When I was growing up, I fell in love with Birkenstock sandals. Sadly, years ago, the ONLY way you could get them was to hop on a plane to Germany (or send someone over with money and your size). Today, everyone is wearing Birkenstocks! I see them all over the college campuses (my daughter wears them all over), a the…
German Easter Breakfast- The BEST German Breakfast of the Year
German weekend breakfasts have a reputation for being delightful, drawn-out meals with loads of delicious things on the table… Aufschnitt, Brötchen, soft-boiled eggs and fruit. But German EASTER Breakfast takes it up a notch. I’m not much of a morning person, but I was always happy to hop out of bed to enjoy this special meal with my family. Even…
Black Forest Cupcakes Recipe- Black Forest Törtchen for a Crowd
I’m sure this Black Forest Cupcakes Recipe would confuse my Oma, but then she’d tuck right in. Granted, cupcakes weren’t much of a German Thing. (Maybe we could call them Black Forest Törtchen, little cakes). So, why did I make them? Black Forest Cake / Schwarzwälder Kirsch Torte is my daughter’s FAVORITE cake, and she wanted me to make it…