My mother’s Oma refused to do laundry during the Twelve Days of Christmas. To me, this makes perfect sense, the Christmas Season is just so busy… who wants to do laundry? But the reason goes deeper, to the legends of the Rauhnacht. The Rauhnächte, the time between the years, are a time when old memories carry out traditions from pagan…
Category: German New Year Traditions
German New Year’s Eve Traditions to Enjoy with Family and Friends
German New Year’s Eve traditions are a nice mix between 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 stay in… but ever since I was a child, we’ve made noise fireworks and cheers when the clock strikes 12. (Mostly…
What is Silvester? Why is New Year’s Eve called Silvester in Germany?
Growing up, I always wondered why New Year’s Eve was called Silvester, and I get emails asking “what is Sylvester”? My parents always celebrated New Year’s Eve with a party… but a Silvester Party? The whole thing is a little bit confusing…. Fortunately, there is an easy explanation! And it all dates back to a pope… and a change in…
What is Raclette Cheese? Cheesy German New Year’s Eve Tradition
Whenever anyone asks me “What’s your favorite kind of Cheese?” my automatic answer is “the melted kind”. And yes, I have the kind of family that loves cheese, eats loads of cheese, and spends a lot of time talking about cheese. It’s no wonder that there were loud CHEERS when I brought home the Raclette Grill. Where has this lovely…
The Dinner for One Film- A German New Year’s Eve Tradition
Dinner For One Some German Traditions are completely baffling to me, like the German love of the Dinner For One Film on New Year’s Eve. How on earth did this British Comedy sketch become a nationwide phenomenon? So, of course, I had to start digging to find the origins. Why is an English language movie about an elderly woman’s 90th…
What is a Bunter Teller? A Plate of Christmas Cookies for Everyone!
Last week a friend of mine said, “You’re German, would you like these? I found them at an estate sale”… and then she handed me these cardboard plate/bowls printed with Christmassy images. She had found paper plates for “Bunte Teller!” I was so excited to receive something from my childhood. But, What is a Bunter Teller? These special plates come…
Bleigiessen- A New Year’s Eve Tradition in Germany
A fun New Year’s Eve Tradition in Germany for families try to divine their fortune for the New Year is Bleigiessen, Lead Pouring. This ancient form of divination, also known as Molybdomancy, has been used during the Raunächte for 1000s of years in many cultures. Now it’s mostly just for fun, although… there may be something to it…. Originally, a small bit…
German Rheinische Krapfen Recipe…. Fried Dough Treats!
One of my father’s favorite food memories is his Mother’s German Krapfen Recipe that she would make every year on New Year’s Eve . These are Rheinische Öl Krapfen, which means they are a fried yeast dough filled with raisins… sort of like a donut, but not (so don’t make these expecting them to taste like Krispy Kremes, Winchell’s, Dunkin Donuts, or…
Marzipan Pigs Good Luck -Marzipan Glückschwein
The Marzipan Pig Tradition is quite simple…. If you give Marzipan Pigs, good luck and delicious flavors will be spread to friends and family this Christmas! Many Germans like to include a Marzipan Glückschwein with their Christmas gifts! Or as a special gift for the New Year. These sweet treats will make anyone feel lucky…. If only because they have a…