Sternsinger in Germany – Children helping Children with Song

Cover image Thomas Guffler, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Sternsinger der Katholischen Propsteigemeinde “St. Peter und Paul” Dessau mit dem Oberbürgermeister von Dessau-Roßlau, Klemens Koschig, vor dem Rathaus   In the days leading up to January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany, you might see groups of children dressed in robes and wearing a crown going house to house.…

Rauhnächte- In Germany, it’s the Time Between the Years

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…

Weihnachts Kinderpunsch Recipe- Warm Christmas Drink for Kids

At Christmas Markets and in homes, you find Glühwein for the adults at Christmastime. (My mother always left a pot on the stove Christmas Eve, and we would enjoy it during the Bescherung, or gift exchange) Warm wine, aromatic spices, it’s such a cozy feeling to hold the warm mug and breath in the delicious steam while sipping.  But the…

A German Feather Christmas Tree- Christmas Nostalgia

My friend Dale recently asked me if we ever set up a Federbaum or German Feather Christmas Tree in our home while I was growing up. No, my father was a nurseryman, and it was a point of pride to have a real Noble Fir standing in the corner of the living room (never a Douglas Fir; the ornaments just…

October 31st, Martin Luther, and the Protestant Reformation

Eight German states observe October 31st, Reformation Day, as a public holiday. But what was the Protestant Reformation, and why is it celebrated? Growing up in the Lutheran Church, we heard the how Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to a church door, setting off the Protestant Reformation and ultimately starting the Lutheran Church. That’s the short version of the…

Oktoberfest Party Ideas- Plan An Oktoberfest Party!

Even if you can’t make it to Munich, you can still celebrate! Plan an Oktoberfest Party at home with these Oktoberfest Theme Party Ideas!  All you need is Beer, food music and some fun Oktoberfst party supplies/ decorations to get everyone in the mood! You can go big… and rent a tent, hire a band, and tap a keg or two….…

The German Easter Holidays- Easter Weekend in Germany

Celebrating the German Easter Holidays is much more than just finding eggs or church on Sunday. You celebrate the Easter weekend in Germany! Although the country is becoming more secular, Easter feels much more celebrated or acknowledged than here in the US. I’m not talking about the commercial aspect. Yes, there are colorful eggs and decorations in every store. Still,…

Eierlikör Torte Recipe – Perfect for Easter or the Kaffeeklatsch

I am not a trained baker. What I am is a woman who loves to eat baked goods, so I started baking at home. I had a theory… If I have to bake it myself, I won’t eat as much, because it will take time/energy to create delicious baked goods, and I’m a bit lazy by nature. It turns out…

Write to the Osterhase, Hanni Hase, at the German Osterpostamt

Do you know someone who is excited about the Osterhase (Easter Bunny)? Why not get out some paper, pencil, and maybe some colorful markers, and let your little one write a letter to the Osterhase, Hanni Hase in Ostereistedt! The idea for an Easter Bunny Post Office came from an Advertising company in Hamburg back in 1982, as part of…

Karneval Berliner – Filled with Jam AFTER Frying

Why are Berliner / Pfannekuchen / Krapfen for Karneval? Karneval is a time of exuberance before the austerity of Lent… and one of those things we give up for Lent? Fried foods. SO…. eat all the Berliner you can BEFORE midnight on Karneval Dienstag! (Shrove Tuesday). Berliner are filled with tasty fillings like Rose Hip jam (Hagebutte) or Himbeer jam…

error: Content is protected !!