Summer is the beginning of the German Festival Season! While dressing ” German ” is not mandatory, it can be a lot of fun. And is there ANYTHING so cute as a sweet little girl in a Dirndl? Or a toddler in his Lederhosen? But where can you find traditional German clothes for children or babies and toddlers? And do…
Category: German Holidays and Festivals
Schützenfest- A Marksmanship Competition and Weekend Celebration!
A few years, while visiting family in Germany, everyone was getting ready for the weekend’s Schützenfest. What is Schützenfest? I asked…. ahhhh… It’s a big fest with shooting competitions, drinking, a coronation, and a massive party that lasts the whole weekend. WHAT?? That’s right, a festival involving shooting and alcohol. (What could go wrong?) Nothing! (Remember, this is Germany!) Schutzenfester,…
German Easter Fountains- a Colorful German Easter Tradition
One way towns in Germany prepare for Easter is by decorating fountains. These German Easter Fountains are covered with flowers and colored eggs, making them a festive centerpiece in the city center square. Some places get wildly creative with arches and bundles of plastic hanging eggs. Other towns are more conservative, with mostly container plants strung with a few…
What is the Easter Fire in Germany? A Symbol of Light in Darkness
What is the Easter Fire in Germany, and why is it lit? The Easter Fire, or Osterfeuer, symbolizes light in the darkness. It can be as simple as lighting a candle or as big as the bonfires ignited all over Germany at Easter. Because fire symbolizes the light of renewal, it signifies the end of Winter and the coming of…
German Easter Story Books For Kids- Perfect for Easter Baskets!
Cute German Easter Story Books for kids are a nice (non-edible and non-messy) addition to the Easter Basket. The stories can be read over and over, long after the chocolate and candies have been eaten. Most of these Easter Stories are in German, and a few are bilingual. They are perfect for young children learning German… and are great for…
Where to Buy German Easter Chocolate for Your Easter Basket!
I love German Easter Chocolate! Right about now, my Christmas Chocolate is a distant memory, and I’m ready to stock up on delicious sweets! This special imported chocolate is not just for kids! Of course, the kids in your world will be delighted if Osterhase brings them a basket or Paper Mache Egg filled with wonderful chocolate treats. Adults will…
German Easter Lamb Cake -Recipe and Lamb Molds
German Easter Lamb Cake is the centerpiece and dessert on many tables at Easter. The sweet lamb is baked into a lamb-shaped mold and then decorated with either a simple sprinkling of powdered sugar or, in some homes, white frosting. The basic cake is a pound cake, sometimes flavored with ground nuts. Why a Lamb? Lambs have long been considered…
Where did the Easter Bunny Come From? Germany, of Course!
Have you ever wondered, “Where did the Easter Bunny come from?” The whole story of rabbits bringing eggs overnight doesn’t really make sense on the face of it. After all, rabbits don’t lay eggs, so it’s not exactly logical. It turns out that there is a very sweet story, almost a Fairy Tale, associated with the origins of the…
Moravian Star aka Herrnhuter Stern- Not a Just Holiday Decoration
A trio of Moravian Stars hangs in my window at Christmastime. These beautiful 26-point Stars, also known in German as a Herrnhuter Stern, have been a popular decoration during the Christmas Season, from the beginning of Advent until the Epiphany, in parts of Germany for almost 200 years. Moravian Stars represent the Star of Bethlehem and are hung in churches…
German Pickle Ornament Story- How did the Green Pickle Ornament Tradition Start?
It’s time to discuss the German Pickle Ornament Story and shatter the myth once and for all. Germans Don’t Hang Pickles in their Christmas Tree. I know, I know… someone told you it’s a REAL GERMAN TRADITION And maybe your Oma hung a pickle on her Christmas Tree… But the truth is, the Christmas Pickle Ornament Tradition is no more…