A German Weihnachten is something special. All the links to an enchanting time filled with age old Religious, Secular, Folk and Food traditions, which begin before Advent and continue until Epiphany.

A Link to Traditional Holiday and Festive Recipes
In Germany a great deal of October, November, December and even January are devoted to the baking and producing of much loved traditional food and drink recipes for the different holiday celebrations.

Advent Calendars, a Countdown to Christmas
December 1...time to open the Advent Calendar and discover the first of its twenty-four surprises. One of Germany's much loved Weihnachtszeit holiday traditions for generations, an Adventskalender begins the countdown to Heiligabend, Christmas Eve.

Advent Wreaths and an Advent in Germany
They don't decorate doors in Germany but sit on flat surfaces, or hang from a height...their four candles surrounded by evergreen foliage. One candle for each of Advent's four weeks. "Die Adventskränze", Advent Wreath, one of many traditions that are a part of Christmas in Germany.

Christmas in Germany
So how do they spend Christmas in Germany? Filled with celebration and age old customs, it is a rich and colorful mix of the religious, secular, traditional, folk and food.

Christmas Tree Apple, the Paradiesapfel
There will be a red apple sitting among the branches of some of Germany's Christmas Trees during Weihnachtszeit...Der Paradiesapfel - The Paradise Apple. A symbol of "Hope" and "Promise" that something lost will be found, a goal or purpose revealed or achieved.

Germany's Christmas Markets, Weihnachtsmärkte
Advent in Germany and the traditional "Weihnachtsmärkte" begin to open. Famous the world over the Christmas Markets, with their enchanting nostalgic atmosphere and delicious seasonal aromas, are an unforgettable part of the German holiday season.

New Year's Eve in Germany
Old, new, based on customs from the pagan past, all Germany's New Year Traditions are designed to ensure the coming year will be a vintage one. It is known as "Silvester", and from food to fireworks here is how the New Year is celebrated in Germany.

Three Kings Day, Epiphany in Germany
January 5 - Twelfth Night, and next day "Dreikönigstag" - Three Kings Day, Epiphany, are the final hours of the Advent and Weihnachten season. The ending of the Christmas celebrations in German speaking countries are a mixture of Tradition, Charity, Religion and Folklore.

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