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 stay in… but ever since I was a child, we’ve made noise with fireworks and cheers when the clock strikes 12.…
Category: German New Year Traditions
Why is New Year’s Eve called Silvester in Germany?
In Germany, New Year’s Eve is called Silvester, but WHY? My parents always celebrated New Year’s Eve with a party, but a Silvester Party? (I mean, “Who is this Sylvester, and why does he get a party?“) The whole thing is 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?” I automatically answer, “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. No wonder there were loud CHEERS when I brought the Raclette Grill home. Where has this lovely dish been my…
The Dinner for One Film- A German New Year’s Eve Tradition
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 Birthday party so…
Bleigiessen- A New Year’s Eve Tradition in Germany
Bleigiessen, or lead pouring, is a fun New Year’s Eve Tradition in Germany for families to divine their fortune for the New Year. This ancient form of divination, also known as Molybdomancy, has been used in many cultures during the Raunächte for over 1000 years. Today, it’s mostly just for fun, although there may be something to it… How does it…
German Rheinische Krapfen Recipe…. Fried Dough Treats!
One of my father’s favorite food memories is his mother’s German Krapfen recipe, which 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 they aren’t squishy soft (so don’t make these expecting them to taste like Krispy Kremes, Dunkin Donuts,…
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…