Wake up song:
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Pocket Paper:
You are Cordially Invited to A Christmas In Germany.
Date: December 14, 2010
Time: Evening
Place: Your very own home
I read a lot of things about Christmas in Germany and then we did a few of their traditions. The favorite for the children was leaving their shoes outside the door for Nikolaustag. He comes around and puts candy and nuts in your shoes if you have been good, twigs if you have been bad. Luckily Nikolaustag came a bit early in the evening because the kids shoes were getting snowed on. There was plenty of squealing when they all discovered Nikolaustags offerings were for those of good children!
My favorite tradition was the plate of nuts, chocolate, fruit, and ginger biscuits laid out for the family. We also enjoyed dinner around a center piece which was a wreath with 4 candles. One candle is lit each Sunday between November 26th and Christmas Eve. The final candle is lit on Christmas Eve.
The Christmas tree originated in Germany and the children were surprised to hear that German children are not allowed to help decorate the tree. They believe there is a curse that goes along with seeing the tree before Christmas Eve. The father usually occupies the children while the mother beautifies the tree and then they take the children in for the Christmas Eve celebration.
We had a GREAT time learning about different traditions and might even adopt a couple!
.JPG)
3 comments:
Froeliche Weihnachten!
My little brother went on his mission to Germany. He and his family put their shoes out, too. This was a great advent idea!! I've got to make a note...I want to steal it for next year!
My brother brought home the neatest nativity from Germany. It is tall (tiered) and has candles along the outside. When you light them, it slowly spins. I love it. And now it's tradition whenever we visit my parents around Christmas to turn off all the lights and light that nativity and sing carols.
P.S. VERY cute picture of all the kids. What a photogenic clan you have :)
Post a Comment