7 German Traditions We've Added to Our Christmas 🇩🇪 Nikolaustag + Adventszeit + Christkind + MORE!

[@aimeeflorlabradorsolar4709]

I am from the north and I think I don't know anyone who opens the gifts on the 25th as far as I know it is common to open them on the 24th and we do christkind and weihnachtsmann together they just help each other :)

[@amandaziccatti6195]

A little remark: Sankt Nikolaus is celebrated all over Germany, not only in the South. We even have a Sankt Nikolaus market in our town in North West Germany. Concerning the Christkind, we believe that the Christkind and Santa Claus together bring the presents on Christmas Eve. So the Christkind also isn’t an exclusively Southern tradition.😄

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Okay good to know!

[@frankiec544]

Yep, I've never heard of anyone opening gifts the next day in Germany, this is all done on Christmas Eve. It may just be Santa that brings the presents on Christmas Eve and some people will even arrange for a relative to show up in a Santa's costume so the kids will have their gifts handed over by Santa personally.

[@anna-ranja4573]

Yes and the greetings to the Advent the first etc. Is also all over Germany

[@its_frida]

I liked Sankt Martin the most, when I was a kid.

[@quwer4931]

I was just about to write the same comment, I come from northern Germany and a relatively evangelical Lutterian family. Us visited both St. Nicholas on 6.12. and the "Christkind" on 24.12. evening, announced by a small bell that already rang my great-grandmother at Christmas. I would say that Weihnachtsmann does the same as the Christ Child in the more atheistic households. Religion is beside the point for many families and the Christmas season is so much fun and has so many non-church traditions, so why do without it when there can be another magical being bringing gifts? But I really don't know any German family that opens presents on Christmas Day. What is actually a southern German or Catholic tradition is Krampus and Knecht Ruprecht. I mean we know them, but they are not really part of the traditions. But that makes sense somewhere, considering that one of the main differences of the two faiths is whether there is a hell and thus a punishing God. Catholics say yes, the Evangelical Lutheran Church (the largest Protestant church in Germany) says no. So most church traditions exist in both northern and southern Germany, but mostly a "light version" without devil figures.

[@KeinAlias1995]

Ich komme aus der Region Osnabrück in Niedersachsen in Norddeutschland. Auch bei uns kam das Christkind. Den Weihnachtsbaum bekamen wir erst am Heiligen Abend zur Bescherung zu sehen. Vorher war der Zugang zum Wohnzimmer für mindestens eine Woche mit einer Decke abgehangen und für uns Kinder eine "No go Area". Am heiligen Abend nach Kirchenbesuch und gemeinsamen Abendessen wurden wir dann weggeschickt. Wenn die Klingel (Das Glöckchen) erklang durften wir zurückkommen zum Wohnzimmer. Sahen zum ersten Mal den festlich geschmückten Raum, den Christbaum und unsere verpackten Geschenke. So war unser Weihnachten. Spannung und Überraschung bis zum Schluss, bis zur Bescherung :o)))

[@thomasherreiner3583]

It honestly waters my eyes to see how you embrace German Christmas traditions and adopt them into your very personal family traditions. Just wonderful.

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Dankeschön! You have beautiful Christmas traditions here.

[@Winona493]

I felt the same!!! How curious, embracing and enthusiastic they are!!!❤

[@Krokostad]

Another difference to the US is that most people in Germany put up the Christmas tree later, like on the 23rd or even at the 24th of December. So when we light the candles at Christmas or the Christmas holidays (25th and 26th), the tree isn't that dry. In my familiy the tree always stands until the 6th of January, but by that time it is really dry, so we don't light the real candles anymore because the tree would burn so fast completely.

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Ah yes very good points.

[@annao.5240]

In my region ( Frankfurt/Main) most people put up their Christmas tree on the 1. Adventstag. So they can enjoy it the whole month. Mostly with electric lights though

[@buerostumpf]

The “Christkind” isn’t a tradition exclusive to the south of Germany. I have ultra fond memories of it and I’m from the Northwest (the “Ruhrgebiet”). My mom used to open the balcony door a moment before calling us in to find our presents. As a child, you’d come into the room and there would still be a bit of cold air in the room, of course brought in when the Christkind had brought the gifts. Pure magic!

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Oh I love it! ❤

[@ceha9517]

Yes it was magic. I love the bit with the cold air. ♥️

[@idnwiw]

And it's not a catholic thing at all: It was invented my Martin Luther, founder of protestantism, tho shift away from Saint Nikolaus as a gift giver. Happend to become quite popular in all german speaking countries regardless of confession, catholic areas just kept on Nikolaus as an additional gift giver.

[@skyee277]

@@idnwiw It is not a Catholic invention but was adopted by Catholics when the gift giving part shifted from St. Nikolaus Day to Christmas Eve. These days it is mostly associated with the (historically) more Catholic areas of the country since the (historically) Protestant ones went over to "Weihnachtsmann" instead. Which also fits with the Ruhrgebiet, since that is culturally also more Catholic than Protestant influenced.

[@undertakernumberone1]

@@skyee277 it's effin hilarious, ain't it? Luther creates the Christkind to replace that darned "Saint" Saint Nicholas... and a few centuries later, the Catholics adopted the Christkind and the Protestants over all switched over to the "Weihnachtsmann"/Santa Claus. And Santa Claus is primarily a combination of english Father Christmas and Dutch "Sinterklaas". And guess who "Sinterklaas" is...

[@worldpeace1822]

You are on the fast track to be more German than the Germans xD … I love your joy experiencing stuff.

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Hahaha love it! 😍🥰

[@kerstinklenovsky239]

This.

[@milanas.4666]

Das ist nicht fair! Sie wohnen ja auch im Märchenland Bayern und nicht in Gelsenkirchen oder anderen Brennpunkten in Germany. Alles Gute und Gesundheit gewünscht!

[@ja_u]

@@milanas.4666 Wie wärs mit Castrop Rauxel? hahaha

[@saryala4591]

I live in the most northern part of Germany and St. Nikolaus Day ist also common here. In fact I think that everybody celebrates the 6th of December everywhere in Germany. The only regional difference is whether Krampus or Knecht Ruprecht accompany St. Nikolaus - as you've already pointed out. Even though I live way up north, my parents told me, that Christkind brings all the gifts. And well, yes, everybody in Germany opens their gifts on Christmas Eve. My parents used to place little and special gifts under or even in the tree on December 25th and 26th and told me, that the Christkind had come back because she had forgotten about one of my presents...

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Okay great! Thanks for clearing that up.

[@mareiketje4899]

For such a relatively small channel, I'm always amazed at how professionally done and visually pleasing your videos are filmed and edited. You deserve way more subscribers!

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Thank you so much! 🎄💕

[@roesi1985]

That's what I always think, too! So very well made, Sara!

[@athircanada]

Hello, my friend 👋 hope you are well 🌹 It's a pleasure to visit such splendid sharing 👍excellent, entertaining videos. Your video is so impressive! I'm happy to be here! Thanks for showing us these outstanding views 😊 much appreciated 💯👪 Have a pleasant day ahead 🌹 God bless you and your family 🙏 See you again! Here is your friend Athir from Canada 😊 🌹🇨🇦

[@susanneostermann6956]

übrigens, den alten baum kann man, wenn man wie ihr einen garten hat, nach weihnachten auch noch eine weile rausstellen und mit vogelfutter schmücken. meisenknödel, äpfel, meisenringe und vieles mehr sind dann futterquellen für die wildvögel und spannend für die kinder zu beobachten. außerdem kann man vogelfutter auch prima selber mischen und zum aufhängen zb mit kleinen tontöpfen basteln. es gibt hier bei yt viele tolle videos, wie man solche projekte mit kindern gestalten kann.... 🙂

[@rosshart9514]

In Frankfurt we always had Christkind and real candles. And my father drove us to the American military housing area because of the decorated homes there.

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Oh very nice!

[@b.k.3313]

Wir sind in Augsburg zuhause und in meiner Kindheit (60er und 70er Jahre) genauso. Wir sind auch immer wieder ins Viertel der amerikanischen Soldaten gefahren, um die mit Lichtern geschmückten Fenster anzuschauen. Sonst war es bei uns nicht üblich

[@ceha9517]

When I was a little child we had also this Christkind tradition. Was waiting for the little bell to ring. And I can not tell how big the joy was when I was allowed to enter the dark living room just with the candles lit. Beautiful. And till today we have real candles on our tree.

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Oh I love it! Last night we lit the candles on the tee and read some of our favorite Christmas stories.

[@ceha9517]

@@MyMerryMessyGermanLife Wie schön. You make beautuful memories for your kids. ♥️😊

[@whiteroses47]

Sara, hello from America. Just today, I learned about your channel by watching Kirsten & Joerg's video about when they rented an English cottage. I just subscribed to her channel and yours today. I think you and Kirsten will be best friends, that is, if you both aren't already. Christmas is a most beautiful time of the year and I'm sure it was very beautiful and festive in Germany. I enjoy the colder weather/season. I wish you and your family all the best.

[@milastift5144]

In Saxony „Herrnhuter Weihnachtssterne“ are very common. These are available from small to large, single (?🤔) or as a chain of lights, for inside and outside. I love them very much. It’s a must like Pyramide, Räuchermännel and Schwibbogen.

[@dannyf359]

Was ich an euren Weihnachtsbaum vermisse ist das Lametta das gehört eigentlich an jeden Weihnachtsbaum

[@saintklaus5770]

Ja ja, früher war mehr Lametta ... 🙂

[@robfriedrich2822]

8:58 I watched a video, comparing a US with a German Christmas market. In the US there was "Stille Nacht" sung in German, but the singer sang "Silent Night, Healing Night" instead "Holy Night". Ok, it's not a lie, that this night was also healing, but the original lyrics spoke about "holy".

[@dorisschneider-coutandin9965]

Merry Christmas! We live in the middle of Germany (Hesse), we are Protestant, and we celebrate Nikolaustag (no Krampus here, but Knecht Ruprecht instead). Also, to us the "Christkind" comes on Christmas Eve.

[@traveldreamer21]

...the following is completely off-topic, but only for information, because I found out from friends in Landshut that the medieval spectacle "Landshut Wedding" will take place again this year from 30.06. to 23.07., and that advance ticket sales start today. This is only because your boys are relatively interested in it 😁

[@jenniferhill3524]

We celebrated Nikolaustag in my family, my mom’s family was German-American (Wisconsin). Also Advent!

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Very nice!

[@MeYou-lc7ed]

You can use one candle to light all the other candles 🤗🎄

[@annseigman1824]

My husband and I loved living in Nuremberg in 1966 and 1977. My husband was stationed with the US Army in Nuremberg. Our first child was born at the US Army Hospital. Germany has a very special place in our hearts and traditions. I am a new subscriber and I enjoy your Vlogs!

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

How wonderful! 💕🎄☃️

[@GKViddingHD]

Yeah, the advent's calendar is a big deal here. My mom used to hang up a chain of 24 tiny hemp socks. Each sock was filled with different sweets for us kids and sometimes they would be in the shape of little presents and stick out of the sock. We children would be extra-excited when one sock looked especially well-stocked. By the way, if you get a Blautanne for Christmas, you will love the warm, foresty fragrance of it.

[@grandmak.]

What a beautiful video ! I love how you are diving into a real cozy and old-fashioned German Christmas ! Your kids will have so many lovely memories of family christmases that include cookie baking, snowman building, decorating, advent afternoons, real wax candles on a real tree and so much more , what a gift you are giving ! Happy Christmas to all of you ! 🎄🥰

[@karinland8533]

Popcon and Chirstmas feels very American. I love how you mix and match!

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Oh does it! I thought it came from the old days - Queen Victoria and Prince Albert popularized it.

[@ginster458]

Had to laugh out loud when the closed captions turned Käthe Wohlfahrt into Katie Boulevard 😅 (Btw I grew up in north germany and we always do Nikolaus und when I was little the Christkind came too, so it’s not a strictly southern thing) Thank you for another year of taking us along with you! Frohe Weihnachten, ein besinnliches Fest und einen guten Rutsch in ein gesundes, glückliches neues Jahr!

[@christiankastorf4836]

We always go to some Christmas-tree plantation here in our forest. There you can saw off the tree that you want and so you make sure that is it freshly-cut and has not been felled weeks before. It is immediately put into a bucket with water and has to wait there a couple of days before we take it in around the 23rd of December. And again the tree stand is a stoneware basin that is filled with water. It is only in early January that the tree "understands" that it is dead and stops sucking up water. We always see to it that is is a blue spruce. The needles are all aroud the twigs, they are hard and stingy, but they smell very strong and the twigs are very firm and stiff. Secondly the branches are not very close together and that is ideal when you have real candles as we do.

[@maxmustermann3285]

We twice took a museum steam train to Remscheid. There we went into such a plantage and saw our own x-mas tree. The trees were taken by bus to the steam train. And we travelled back with that train. The most difficult part later was the last mile to get our huge chrustmas tree home in the crowded S-Bahn. 😂

[@christiankastorf4836]

Let me whisper something into your ear: You sawed your tree, not saw it. Be sure, you are not the first one to be confused by "see- saw-seen" and "saw-sawed-sawn". I remember that someone in my class once wrote "I did not saw my sister." instead of "I did not see". @@maxmustermann3285

[@Eyyoh755]

Merry christmas, McFalls family! You invented the German-American "Double Fun Christmas"...with "Christkindl" in the Eve and "Santa Clause" on Boxing Day morning! AWESOME!

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Dankeschön! Frohe Weihnachten!

[@SMElder-iy6fl]

On my first trip to Europe at Christmas time I was enchanted with the low key decorations.

[@berndhofmann752]

I love your videos! When we see and live other countries, we get more aware of our own culture ❤❤❤❤❤

[@alphagyne7325]

When lighting the candles you can take one candle to give the others the light. So you have to strike only one match, so it doesn‘t smell so much of sulfur.

[@ceha9517]

I hope you feel no pressure to implement all the traditions. I hope you feel no pressure at all to fit in. Sometimes I have the feeling you try so hard to do everything right. Frohe Weihnachten! 😊

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Awe thank you for thinking of that. Yeah sometimes I do feel pressure to get it all right because people can be very critical and rude in the comments sometimes. However, most people are so nice and kind, so I have to focus on them! And as a foreigner and as an American I feel like we need to go above and beyond to Iearn about other customs because Americans can be so ignorant about the rest of the world. But I do also love to learn about German customs and incorporate them. So it’s also genuine. Haha, anyway, thank you for your concern! 💕🎄

[@PowerControl]

@@MyMerryMessyGermanLife Yeah you are really taking it to the next level (in a positive way). Take your time to have some introspection during the cold times and enjoy yourself. Simple as that! Merry Christmas!

[@abgekippt]

Another big difference in Germany. Gifts are given on the evening of 24 December

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Right! So is this even for families that celebrate der Weihnachtsmann?

[@eiram1989]

@@MyMerryMessyGermanLife yes it is :) Hello from Hamburg

[@abgekippt]

@@MyMerryMessyGermanLife Exactly, the Weihnachtsmann comes on the evening of the 24th when everything is dark.

[@emilwandel]

@@MyMerryMessyGermanLife Yes der Weihnachtsmann starts gibing gifts and Germany and then goes around the world for all the other children. 24h are not nearly enough for the whole world. It has to do with an old tradition that the day ends with sundown and the next day starts.

[@nothingspecial123Q]

@@MyMerryMessyGermanLife Yes in many families der "Weihnachtsmann" comes to place the presents under the tree when the family goes to church. And no child ever wonders, why somebody has to stay at home with a flimsy excuse 🤣. Or my parents sent my sister and me upstairs in our room and we heard a very loud knock at the front door. My mom opened and talked to the Weihnachtsmann who answered in a very deep voice (that of course belonged to my Dad but I didn't realize and was very excited). Then my parents rang a little bell and we were allowed to enter the living room to see the enlightened christmas tree with all the presents. So wonderfull memories....

[@CathyS_Bx]

Clearly, the simplicity of the decorations and traditions make December both meaningful and festive in Germany. And you've helped my Christmas here in NYC be those things too. Thank you!

[@stefanfrank4054]

Es war so schön zu sehen, dass ihr echte Kerzen am Weihnachtsbaum hattet. Ich denke , die Stimmung ist eine ganz andere, als wenn man eine LED-Lichterkette hat. Ich hoffe ihr hattet schöne Weihnachten - so wie ich.

[@alisontaylor6135]

Loved every single second of this video. A million thanks from the UK xx

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@lockept936]

Never saw a Popcorn Tree before 😅

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

It’s an old fashioned thing Americans and British used to do, I think

[@jensschroder8214]

There is always something depressing about November and December with the short days and long, cold nights. But the candles and the joy of Christmas make up for it. And then the year is over and a new one begins. When snow falls in February, the world is enchanted.

[@BobHall-dt2qv]

What wonderful memories you bring back of my Christmas’ in Germany 1956-57 & 62……I still have many of the Christmas decorations from that time…..

[@JuttaandWolly]

Don't know if anyone else wrote this, but you can exchange the clip-ons for real candles on the tree after a couple of lightings with same size electric candles (we have no connecting cable, with 1 Mignon battery, clip-on - in the same place as the real-candle-clip-ons - remote controled candles). Works super and you have lights on your tree before and after the holiday days - and no eletric cable that needs to be hidden.

[@RustyDust101]

The smell of a real Christmas tree, the slightly sulphurous almost-but-not-quite stench of a match flaring up, and then the inviting aroma of real wax candles burning is such an amazing combination. Add a plate of different cookies on the table, with all their spices, butter, and honey, all of it blends into what I remember as Christmas. It is wonderful to see you delving into it, incorporating what you like into your own traditions. The Christbaumkugeln are one more ornament that is very typical for German Christmas tree decorations.

[@beverlywalker4111]

Advent Sunday is huge in the Methodist church here in America, at least in my churches that I belonged to in Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. I had an advent wreath when my children were small and they had the calendar. Love the “citizens of the world”! Great video!

[@hopefultina]

Hello from South Africa! Me and my mum are planning on moving to Bavaria next year and we love your videos :) We really appreciate your help and advise 🥰💕

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

We wish you all the best! 💕

[@annaduda7260]

Wiele tych niemieckich zwyczajów przyjęło się w moim kraju. Uwielbiam je!💝

[@Jacob_._Roberts]

I love the music you selected for Christmas tree scenes and the scenes at 21:07. The music matches perfectly.

[@LunaBianca1805]

We got electric lights on our Christmas tree that look like actual candles - so perfect middle ground between a somewhat traditional look, convenience and safety regards. By the way, I love your tree ornaments and the popcorn chain looks like something I'd try as one of your more American decoration ideas. It looks awesome 🥰

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

We have those lights, too, we just wanted to try the real ones this year and it was wonderful! I’m so glad we tried it.

[@LunaBianca1805]

@@MyMerryMessyGermanLife Totally understandable, there's something so magical about real candle light 🥰

[@chrisspruit1512]

So true what you said about what living abroad does to someone . I expirenced it myself

[@embivi77]

Christmas time foods… have you tried the „Printen“? They’re probably more common in the NRW area since they originate in Aachen (a great city to visit as well as the Dreiländerpunkt nearby where you can be in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands within one tiny step). So, if you get the chance, try to find Aachener Printen or Kräuterprinten and enjoy. They’re like a variation of Lebkuchen but very special.

[@barbara-xt6cc]

Merry Christmas! Finally you got the original Christmas smell in your house. Real tree plus honey wax candles. You didn't tell about, but I'm sure this must have been a special experience for you, if you never smelled it before 🎄

[@Kushali00]

I grew up in the US but celebrated St Nicholas Day. My parents were familiar with it (alpine roots) and had enjoyed it while living in Europe. I think it is lovely and wish more Americans were aware of it.

[@happyfrugAlice]

All over Germany kids wait for the Christkind on the 24th of December. 🎄 And before. ..on the 6th of December for the Nikolaus. I am from NRW. And if the sky is orange in the evening during Adventszeit....the Christkind is baking christmas cookies. Ah...and kids put their wishlist in their boot or shoe so Nikolaus can take it to Christkind 🦌⛄ All the best, Alice

[@LaureninGermany]

I think it’s great that you have incorporated Christkind on Christmas Eve! It must just add to the whole cultural experience for the kids. I have only just, since last year, managed to get organised early enough to actually start Christmas on Christmas Eve after years of being caught out! Merry Christmas, Sara! Best wishes for 2023 🤗

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Merry Christmas, or should I say, Happy Christmas in the British way? 😊 yeah it’s been so fun to add in Christkind. And it helps so that the kids understand what their friends are talking about and doing here. The more we incorporate German customs, the more we feel like this is home. Otherwise we will always feel like outsiders.

[@LaureninGermany]

@@MyMerryMessyGermanLife exactly, that’s just what I thought- your kids can join in the conversation with their friends. We say Merry Christmas, too! And all good wishes are welcome, no matter how they are phrased ❤️

[@wallerwolf6930]

Hello, very nice video about Christmas, well done! The Christmas tree was also beautifully decorated and the "real" candles reminded me of my childhood, which was several decades ago. What I was missing were the balls and the tinsel (lametta), which might have overloaded the tree.

[@chrissiesbuchcocktail]

I'm from a protestant family (actually my parents left the "church" before and shortly after I was born - so I grew up without any religion) and I live in north Hessia - and still it was the Christkind for me. One of my grandmas came from a very catholic region though, may that's why. I also believed in the "Weihnachtsmann" but he was someone more present in Christmas songs and not so much as a figure coming to my home. As soon as I learned that in the US kids get the presents a day later I alwas felt sorry for them when I opened mine. Merry Christmas to all of you!

[@chrisg7795]

When your husband and your daughter installed the Christmas tree I felt just as excited as them and realized in that moment what a wonderful joint adventure it must be for your family to go abroad and build your life there together, doing and experiencing everything for the first time. I’m sending you the best wishes, hugs and a (belated) warm welcome ❤. I hope you’re happy here.

[@manuelapolo2457]

Hallo Familie McFalls 😀 nachträglich fröhliche Weihnachten 🎄 und einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr 2023 🎉 aus Bayern, Regensburg . Liebe Grüße Manuela

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Vielen dank!

[@Angela.keep.smiling]

Merry Christmas to all of you. My Mom (70 this year) told me she had "Christkind" in her childhood, and she wrote letters to the Christkind and became presents and a letter back. Sadly my Grandparent's home burnt down in 1961 and the one thing she remembers she was really sad about (she was 11 then) was that all Christkind letters were lost. Krampus is something I don't know, but the other Traditions are all over Germany. Ich hoffe ihr hattet ein frohes Fest am Heiligabend und wunderbare besinnliche Feiertage . Ich wunsche euch allen einen guten Rutsch (ohne Fall) ins Neue Jahr. :-)

[@ganderson2981]

Ähm, die Christbaumkugeln fehlen am Baum 😊 Schön euren Aufenthalt in D-Land zu verfolgen ...

[@suzanabunikwatch4197]

... And Croatia... I was sooo afraid of Krampus... Merry Christmas

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Yes! We saw that there were some Krampusläufe in Croatia this year! Haha

[@andibuletten6206]

Here in the South "WE" call it Christkindlmarkt☺️ Have a great Christmas. Looking forward to your Silvester- video.

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Yes! WE 😂

[@Vajrakrti]

You can get also candlesticks with weights hanging on them. They are a little bit more expensiv, but always hang straight and so they are much easier to handle.

[@abee8405]

If you love Christmas markets and want to see the big ones with a little less people around, it might be worth trying a week night. Mondays and tuesdays might be less crowded... or you could go early in the day, but then you miss out on the sparkle of the lights. And i you like ornaments, visiting Seiffen with your kids next year might be fun - but beware, it's a crush! However, they have wonderful workshops where you can watch how the ornaments are made and the place is absolutely cute and beautiful. Also, both in the Erzgebirge and in the black forest, you can watch how glass blowers make glass ornaments 🙂

[@yallahyallah4220]

Merry Christmas everyone !

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Merry Christmas! 🎄

[@geraldherrmann787]

next year: build your own lebkuchenhaus! bake lebkuchen-shindles, build a house and decorate it with dried fruits, candies and sugar-icing 🙂 (and buy a living tree which you can plant out later)

[@Prisma011]

Christmas magic, beautifully summarized. Children are influenced by it, for their entire lives. My two kids are already adault, but until two years ago they still wanted Christkind to ring the bell while we looked out the window on the upper floor looking for it... what fun for our children. Santa Claus had to come, too, although both had seen through the "game" for a long time. Everyone can attest to how much the Christmas tradition has influenced them and every family has its own Christmas tradition. Merry Christmas. Hans

[@Kazuya720]

Watching your videos makes me appreciate much more, our live in Germany :)

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

I’m so glad 🥰.

[@Aine197]

My family always put real candles on the Christmas tree AND electric ones. This way, you can still light up the tree in the days after Christmas eve when it is slowly getting too dry for real candles

[@Anson_AKB]

when i was little, everybody had real candles since electric candles were either not invented yet or at least very rare, expensive, and unreliable (one bad lamp broke the entire chain). a few years later they improved and my family thought about using them but still were reluctant, until the _Weihnachtsmann_ did a step too many backwards and lit up his backside. years later i was told that story and that my mother had repaired his robe in the other room while we were busy with gifts. from the next year on, we always had electric candles on the tree (still real candles on _Adventskranz),_ allowing to have them turned on every day at any time and even for a short time, and no matter how dry the tree became in two weeks (we had some more other things to celebrate around christmas and newyear).

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Love it! I think we will do that next year.

[@avalon4612]

That’s the same way we do it. We light up real candles but also have electric ones. Although I‘m from the very western part of Germany, sometimes Santa comes to our house and if he does not have enough time, the christkind comes along. The Christkind also leaves always a touch of golden powder glitter on the patio 😉.

[@barbarossarotbart]

Some kids put the Christmas Pyramid on the radiator and watch it race around. Until their parents come and put an end to the fun ... ;)

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

😂😂

[@erikagoodale9014]

Another beautiful video! So well explained. Love all your decorations. I also mixed the two cultures for Christmas being from Germany and moving to the States. Now I pass some of the German traditions down to my grandkids. They both love Lebkuchen and they like to light the pyramid every year! Have an awesome time with family in Georgia! Safe travels!

[@sytax1]

we have always real candles in the tree and also electric ones we turn on a bit later to light up the tree more. and they are lighten the tree in moments we are not arround to have real candles burning. a tree with real candle is always magic, i have so many memories from my childhood ... anyway happy christmas to you all.

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

I love it! I think it’s my new favorite tradition and I’ll keep doing it each year. It’s not nearly as scary as I thought it would be.

[@sytax1]

@@MyMerryMessyGermanLife its not scary at all. but the vibe is magic.. you noticed the smell and noises during that moment ?

[@karinland8533]

We used to have the real candles only for the magic feeling of Christmas Eve. Only lit them that eavening

[@reginaquinones4190]

Such a beautiful Christmas video, Sarah. It brought me so much joy 🎄. I’m from South Louisiana, Cajun country, where we are and most everyone I knew growing up were Catholic. North Louisiana is more Protestant (interesting that Germany has the same North/South religious regions). Anyway, I grew up with Advent calendars (back then they had Christmas pictures behind the door; no candy 😂) and Advent wreaths. My Dad’s side of the family is German and they are from Zell Am Hammersbach in the Black Forest and are Catholic. Growing up I always thought that all Germans were Protestant, Lutheran. I never got an explanation 🤷‍♀️. Anyway, we had the opportunity a few years ago to visit our distant cousins in ZAH and we went to Catholic mass with them. It was wonderful to get to know our cousins- the family resemblance is incredible! Anyway, this very long post is to thank you and those who comment about the reasons behind the Protestants and Catholics traditions, etc. I love watching your channel. I found you a few years ago through DYT; I’m a fellow T3😊.

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Hi Regina! How very cool that you have German roots and are a T3! Loved reading about how Christmas was for you growing up in Louisiana with German Catholic roots.

[@robfriedrich2822]

17:53 my family never had real candles. It was always the chain of electric candle shaped light bulbs from Osram, Philips & Co.

[@sharischmidt4712]

Lovely video!!! Enjoy your channel very much !! Thanks!!!! Season Greetings Merry Christmas from Southern Ontario 😊🍁🎅☃️🌲

[@janofantasy]

In my Family Tradition we make a presentation and before Bescherung we moved the room and Come Back when the Christkind or the Weihnachtsmann are Here. It Is how the night but shorter on Christmas Eve Heiligabend.

[@janofantasy]

I Come from Germany

[@janofantasy]

Christkind Is a Thing ,when you Believe THAT Jesus Is gods son ans he Is Born on Christmas Eve he Come Back all year and gives Love and forgivenness The presents are the Tradition because Jesus Is a Present and he became gold Weihrauch and Mhyrre From the three Holy Kings on 6.of January They Came too late to his birth.

[@MS-xv9oo]

sehr schönes video, auch die informationen, die ihr dazu gebt. für die kinder bleibt es unvergesslich, für die erwachsenen auch.

[@dieteroffermann3880]

I saw that your tree had no bark at the bottom of the trunk. If you want to leave the tree for a longer period of time and you don't want it to pinch so early, it needs the bark to absorb water. The tree is great! There is no substitute for the natural light of candles!

[@christianbraun5004]

Merry christmas my friends. I hope you have a fantastic time, lots of presents for the kids (and the parents of course 😁), and some quiet peaceful days. And then comes the more stressful part of travel again. Fingers crossed that the current weather situation in the US doesn't impact your travel plans too much.🤔 I wish you a good trip and a wonderful time with your families. See you all next year. 😊

[@robertzander9723]

I'm so so glad that you guys and especially your kid's could finally have the real experience how Christmas time is celebrated in Bavaria Germany with snow again. Christmas is the time to slow down everything a bit, going back to what is really important at this time and little gifts are of course a nice thing, but just as a surprise. Being together with people we love and spending time together, feeling the magic is for me the best. Doing some traditional things and watching out for new things to open up our minds is pretty cool and you lovely people did it. I'm happy to see you. I wish you a lot of fun, merry Christmas for all family members. Enjoy your holidays 🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️ 🎅🥂🍻🎄🌟🎀🌠🎊✨

[@Vajrakrti]

You can also get candles with 10% beeswax. They are not so expensive and also smells very good.

[@Paul_C]

Funny, speculaas, any idea where they come from? The windmill is a dead giveaway to the origin. That and the spice trade of old, not really a Bavarian thing, very few harbours there.

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Yes we know they come from the Netherlands 🙂

[@itsdeanya]

I like the tradition that presents from family are wrapped (we started using Christmas sweatshirts and reusing them every year for paperless wrapping), and presents from Santa are of course not. On Christmas Eve, the kids can choose one wrapped gift to open, and then Santa presents as well as all others are opened next morning.

[@robfriedrich2822]

5:50 There are also advent calendars for grown ups, as with some lottery tickets or so. My mother bought little toys, put notes into the advent calendar and I read it and got it.

[@rashomon351]

Christkind may be a catholic thing, but time of opening christmas gifts is not, at least not in Germany ;) Germans are opening their gifts on Christmas eve, no matter what denomination.

[@Aieaue]

Christkind was invented by Martin Luther to replace Santa Claus.

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Ah okay I wasn’t sure about that. Thanks for clearing it up!

[@llleiea]

@@MyMerryMessyGermanLife That was bc M. Luther disapproved the worshiping of saints (hl. Nikolaus). So the Nikolaus could not bring presents anymore - before that most children got there presents on the 6th of December. It seems like his commitment was to no avail, now both days are celebrated. 😂

[@robfriedrich2822]

Santa starts at Christmas eve and the night is for UK and USA

[@Aieaue]

As a catholic kid in Südbaden I had the privillege of getting presents on December 6th and 24th. In the good old days the presents were bought at the Klausenmarkt at the beginning of December. In our mainly catholic region most modern Weihnachtsmärkte started in the1980s. They have the Apres ski feeling. I think the traditional Weihnachtsmärkte were bigger and more important in the protestant regions. E.g. Nürmberg, Sachsen, Thüringen.

[@robfriedrich2822]

12:58 The almond check, no almond slices embedded on the back, I prefer the version with no almonds and I prefer this over the butter Spekulatius.

[@christineprice5463]

Merry Christmas! Being a Lutheran, we celebrate advent and light the candles each Sunday. On Christmas eve we celebrate a service for the arrival of Christ. On Christmas we have lessons and carols.

[@alfk.3464]

Schöne Weihnachten euch alle.

[@abinashmishra329]

22:54 Der Tannenbaum sieht schön aus. Einmal wider frohe Weihnachten zu dir, Kevin, den Kindern…auch der Katze und den Hamstern

[@abinashmishra329]

5:05 that board game looks like a German version of Sorry or Parcheesi

[@abee8405]

Choosing the Christmas tree as kids is one of the best parts of Christmas! Watching you do that just makes me happy 😊. To make it smell really nice in the house, in my family we puck a few pine needles and burn them... everything you talked about was and is a really big thing in our whole extended family. It just makes the time before Christmas and up to Jan 6th (bank holiday in southern Germany caled "three holy kings" so special. Add to that the snow and the outdoor fun in the snow and cold winter can be one of the best times of the year, especially when you have hot chocolate to warm you up at home ! Have a wonderfulfamily time and einen guten Rutsch ;-)

[@UliFandoms]

Thanks for this very beautiful video. The vibes it created went straight to my heart.. ✨🌟🧡

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

I love hearing that. 💕🎄☃️🥰

[@thie1161]

Barbarazweige gibt es in den Vereinigten Staaten vermutlich. Zweige früh blühender Sträucher oder Bäume am 4. Dezember abschneiden und mit etwas Glück zu Weihnachten blühende Zweige im Zimmer haben.

[@fizban5959]

Since the British royal family is basically german in origin they have also Tradition to give the Christmas presents on Christmas eve.

[@matthiaseuler4884]

Hi Sara, so lovely watching your videos, especially about Christmas in Germany. I don't know if you guys know, but there are everywhere Hardware stores like OBI or Bauhaus etc. which sell remote controlled Batteries operated clip-on Christmas candles which are a much saver option to the real candles and they're actually quite inexpensive. The remote control gives as well a fe different flickering effects. Alles Gute weiterhin. Matthias

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Yes we actually have those on our fake Christmas tree. It was a joy to try the real candles this year and it really added to the magic!

[@hildegardkhelfa]

Wunderschönes Video! Frohe Weihnachten, Friede, Liebe und Gesundheit, liebe Mc Falls 🌲

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Dankeschön, Hildegard! 💕🎄☃️

[@wolfgangsperber7894]

in Germany kommt der Nikolaus, in Argentina die heiigen 3 önige am 6.Januar. Unsere Kinder haben Glück und bekommen 2x was - zusätzlich zur Bescherung am heilig Abend. Feliz navidad!

[@nebucamv5524]

7:00 I have to correct you: at least in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern we have BOTH: Weihnachtsmann AND Nikolaus!

[@MyR12S]

Wunderschönes Video, vielen Dank. Ich wünsche euch ein guten Rutsch / Start ins neue Jahr.

[@tammywhatley910]

I love the German Christmas decorations also. I have a small smoker that I am in love with. It relaxes me and makes me happy. It's on the table next to my chair. I like to drink my coffee with it burning. I can't wait to get more. The tree is lovely. My ex husband is 50% German so our grown children are 25%. Their Oma and Opa would receive huge boxes of German candy every Christmas that Oma would give out to all her children. Merry Christmas 🎄❤️

[@roesi1985]

Oh, I really hope you'll be able to visit the Erzgebirge and the Dresdner Striezelmarkt or another Saxonian Christmas market one day. Christmas season is even much more magical there and I'm convinced you'd love it.

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

I would definitely love it! Have you seen our video from last year where I talk about how the origins of many of the popular Christmas decorations come from Erzebirge?

[@roesi1985]

@@MyMerryMessyGermanLife Yes, I did! I love that you really try to understand and live German culture and traditions - you already know more than a lot of Germans, I think! You are adapting really well and choose the right things to focus on. Enjoy the journey, and thanks for letting us be a part of it. It's fascinating to watch.

[@nancyrafnson4780]

This was a great video! You are so talented and artistic! Best wishes and Happy New Year from Canada 🍁 🇨🇦.

[@MyMerryMessyGermanLife]

Thank you so much! 💕🎄