Christmas Germany Traditions

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Incense has played an important part in German history. Much the same as with gold and gemstones in the past, incense was considered to be one of the most precious materials one could own or receive as a gift. Throughout thousands of years of history, incense was frequently given to emperors and kings as gifts of tribute. It is even written in the bible that Three Wise Men came bearing gold, frankincense and myrrh as gifts for the newly born baby Jesus.

The use of incense is alive and well in Germany. Continuing a long German tradition, on January 6th of each year the German people still celebrate the Heilige Drei Konig or Three Saint Kings festival. It is a state holiday in Bavaria, Baden Wurttemberg and Sachsen-Anhalt.

The Raunachte is another interesting time of the season. It begins on the evening of December 25th and lasts until January 6th, so it includes the last six nights of the old year and the first six nights of the new year. Ancient beliefs and traditions have grown up around these 12 nights. According to German superstitions, the wild huntsman Odin travels through the air during these long winter nights, scaring everyone who meets him during his travels. Not only is Odin on the prowl, but also his wife, Frau Holle.

Perhaps the most feared of all is Berchta, the goddess of winter. She is said to roam the countryside and to enter homes on Twelfth Night. Berchta would know whether or not children and young servants had worked hard throughout the year. They might be rewarded with a small silver coin if they had performed their duties well. If not, it was feared that she would cut their bellies open and stuff the opening with straw, sticks or rocks. Berchta was most concerned in seeing that girls had spun their entire allotment of wool and flax during the year.

Out of these superstitions came the belief that people could ward themselves against these evil beings and drive away uninvited spirits by making a great deal of noise and keeping their homes and surroundings well lit. After the spirits had been driven from the home, people would often burn incense to cleanse and bless the home. Incense would be carried to every room to help ensure that the spirits did not re-enter their homes. Thus, the importance of incense in German culture had its beginnings.

In the earliest times, cone incense was put on display and burnt down in the open. This changed when Rauchermann, which are hollow incense burning figurines, began to be carved into the shapes of traditional craftsmen of the region. For example, figures carved in the forms of peddlers, miners, foresters, and soldiers were quite common. The incense cone is placed inside the Rauchermann and burns down inside of the hollow figurine. The smoke flows out through a hole, which is normally the mouth of the Rauchermann. In many parts of the world, Rauchermann have been dubbed “Smokers” or ” Smoking Men”, and are prominently displayed items throughout the Christmas season. The first known Smoking Men were carved in the Erzgebirge Mountains region of Germany.

At one time the Erzgebirge Mountains, also known as “Ore Mountains”, were mined for metal ore and rare minerals. The miners would work in the mines by day, and during the long evenings, many began carving smoker figurines to use during the Raunachte. After the mines played out and most of the miners needed to find a new form of income, a lot of them turned to toy making, and began carving wooden toys full time. Many of the smokers and nutcrackers crafted in the Erzgebirge region today are made by direct descendants of those original miners.

One of the most well know smoker and nutcracker makers in Germany is the Steinbach family. For five generations, the Steinbach family has been producing hand crafted wooden incense smokers and nutcrackers using all German materials and time-honored traditions. Collectors of Steinbach items avidly await the release of Steinbach’s newest smoker and nutcracker releases each year. People from all over the world now use Steinbach items when decorating their homes during the Christmas holiday season.

K. Hupp enjoys finding unique collectibles. Visit a German Collectibles Haus to see the newest Steinbach Nutcracker and Smoker models.

German Questions (Berlin Wall and Christmas in Germany)?

I need some help with the berlin wall please if you could help that would be great

Deutsche Demokratische Republik (German Democratic Republic) – DDR (GDR)
Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Federal Republic of Germany) – BRD (FRG)

About 5,000 people really made it and could flee from the GDR. Some built ballons, planes, tunnels all by themselves or another example would be a whole village escaping during one night.

On November 3, the gouvernment of the GDR allowed their citizens the departure from Czechoslovakia after around 5,000 people went there to besiege the embassy of Germany in Prague. Border crossing all over the GDR were opened a few hours after this message reached thousands of people all over the world.

Christmas Tradition:
Well, at least in my family there is a nice meal in the evening on December 24. Usually we get together and start cooking around 4 or 5 so that dinner will be ready by let’s say seven. Every family in Germany got other traditions. We, for example, have dumplings and roulades. Others will have fish or duck. Some families (mostly from Berlin) have potato salad and sausages.
After dinner, the whole family gathers around the christmas tree and presents will be opened. In some families the kids first have to sing a song or say a poem they learnt by heart. Also it is common to go to church before or after dinner, but only for the families with a strong belief.
The next two days are off. Everybody stays at home and has fun with his family and friends. Visits are being made and so on..
Christmas trees are decorated just like yours, except maybe they are just not so pompous We usually use tinsel (no garlands! just shedded pieces of real silver), sweets (cookies or chocolate figures, and many other colourful figures.
You could say that Christmas trees started with the romans, but also other traditions from various cultures influenced the tree we know today. I think wikipedia really describes it quite good how first there were only a few branches of a tree in some houses and later on a whole tree wasGermany. Nürnberg plays an important role for exportation of many great christmas things. The first Christmas market were held there.

Hopefully I could help you. Maybe you can look up a few things again to gain a bigger perspective on certain things.
Sorry for my bad English!

Another great place to shop for Christmas Germany Traditions products is Amazon. They have more than just books!

Waechtersbach Plate, You Are Special Today, Cherry Red $31.35 This is the original “red plate” imported from Germany where it is carefully made by Waechtersbach, producer of world famous ceramics noted for their brilliant, deep color. This plate is a perfect complement to Waechtersbach’s solid cherry red dinnerware, formerly known as the “Fun Factory” line. Set the table in red and replace one setting with the “you are special” plate to honor a guest or ce…

Advent Spiral Decorations – Set of Three $19.95 Our Wooden Figures are designed to be used with our Advent Spirals and Birthday Rings. Rich with European tradition, an Advent Spiral contains space for 24 candles. One candle is lit each evening to celebrate the Advent season. Or alternatively, one candle is lit the first evening and it is moved each evening to count down the season. The empty holes in the ring are decorated with Advent figures. …

Gorham Holiday Traditions Tree Dish Christmas Crystal C1109 Gorham Holiday Traditions Tree dish – crystal candy or treat dish. Made in Germany. Style No. C 1109 It measures 6 1/2″ wide x 7″ long x 1 1/4″ deep….

Christmas with the Princeton Singers $17.87 …

Rick Steves’ European Christmas $10.13 Rick Steves’ European Christmas DVD provides a vivid and authentic portrait of how Europeans celebrate the holiday from England to Norway, Burgundy to Bavaria, and Rome to the top of the Swiss Alps. Included are 14 complete live concert performances of music. The 2004 Midnight Mass at St. Peters Basilica (Pope John Paul II) is featured with highlights of Christmas traditions up in the loft with th…

Birthday Ring Decoration – Snowman $6.95 Our Wooden Figures are designed to be used with our Birthday Rings. Rich with European tradition, a candle is added to the ring each year on your child’s birthday. The empty holes in the ring are decorated with figures of your choice. This is a birthday ritual your child will look forward to year after year. Birthday ring, figures and candles each sold separately. Imported from Germany….

Birthday Ring Decoration – Blue Clown $6.95 Our Wooden Figures are designed to be used with our Birthday Rings. Rich with European tradition, a candle is added to the ring each year on your child’s birthday. The empty holes in the ring are decorated with figures of your choice. This is a birthday ritual your child will look forward to year after year. Birthday ring, figures and candles each sold separately. Imported from Germany….

Birthday Ring Decoration – Pine Tree $7.95 A traditional piece in Europe, our Birthday Ring creates special birthday memories. On your child’s first birthday, place one candle in the ring and fill the remaining holes with decorative figures. Add a candle each year and place a figure in the center of the ring until the birthday ring is fully illuminated on your child’s twelfth year. Candles,decorative figures and brass candle holders are s…

Lindt Weihnachts Tradition Pastetchen Box – 35g …

Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Christmas in Berlin 1934 from Mary Evans $29.99 Photo Puzzle, Christmas in Berlin 1934. Lucia Festival of the German-Swedish student association in Berlin, Germany in 1934. Chosen by Mary Evans. 10×14 Photo Puzzle with 252 pieces. Packed in black cardboard box of dimensions 5 5/8 x 7 5/8 x 1 1/5. Puzzle image 5×7 affixed to box top. Puzzle pieces printed on RA4 paper at 300 dpi. This item is shipped from our American lab….