USA vs. Germany - Christmas Traditions | Feli from Germany

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The TRUTH about ALL German holidays ▸ • The truth about ALL Ge...
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ABOUT ME: Hallo, Servus, and welcome to my channel! My name is Felicia (Feli), I'm 26, and I'm a German living in the USA! I was born and raised in Munich, Germany but have been living in Cincinnati, Ohio off and on since 2016. I first came here for an exchange semester during my undergrad at LMU Munich, then I returned for an internship, and then I got my master's degree in Cincinnati. I was lucky enough to win the Green Card lottery and have been a permanent resident since 2019! In my videos, I talk about cultural differences between America and Germany, things I like and dislike about living here, and other experiences that I have made during my time in the States. Let me know what YOU would like to hear about in the comments below. DANKE :)
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Pictures:
Krampus: Franz Edelmann/Oberndorfer Salzachteufel (CC BY-SA 3.0) de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus...
Knecht Ruprecht: Albärt (CC BY-SA 3.0) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sa...
Santa: Tomwsulcer (CC BY-SA 2.5) commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Nikolaus Boot: www.spangdahlem.af.mil/News/P...
Christmas Pickle: Richard Huber (CC BY-SA 3.0) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:We...
Christkind: www.wikiwand.com/de/Christkind bergweihnacht.files.wordpress...

[@Bladingmom]

When I had my first son, my husband and I decided to go to Germany for his first Christmas and first birthday. It was so wonderful and family oriented! I loved the Christmas markets and the traditions. When my husband was dying, I promised him to continue the German traditions, so my sons have always had an Advent calendar, an Advent wreath, St. Nicholas Tag, Stollen, Lebkuchen, and so on. I play German Christmas songs while we open our gifts, and have goose for our meal. On Christmas day we go to church. How I love the German traditions!

[@katelynbaird4553]

Sounds like a beautiful way to honor your husband’s memory and the traditions you made together! ❤️

[@ericaleemedium9770]

How lovely ❤️ I am sure your husband is so happy you continue the traditions with your son ❤️

[@antonboludo8886]

Yes, they are wonderful traditions.

[@brianarndt1128]

This really brought a tear to my eye, it reminded me of my youth in Austria. it really brought back those great memories. thank you.

[@WienerVL]

Frohe Weihnachten aus Österreich! Merry Christmas from Austria!

[@brianarndt1128]

@@WienerVL Merry Christmas from Connecticut USA.

[@WienerVL]

@idoj654123 Thats a big compliment but youre right!;-))) I know Switzerland is beautieful as Austria but verry expensive! I wish you a Merry(american?) Christmas!

[@retrozzfuzionzz8677]

WienerVL Feliz Navidad, Merry Christmas from Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 even thought its not Christmas here

[@RobJP94]

I'm a Brit living in France, no idea why I watch these but I enjoy them so keep it up!

[@lotharschepers2240]

"No idea why I watch these" Maybe to catch a quick look over the fence? Our European fellow (that did still count even if "just Boris" look up the island and throw the key away anytime in the future).

[@RobJP94]

@@lotharschepers2240 haha I'm already over the fence and Felicia is in the US. I guess it's nice to hear about the culture shocks of others who have also moved abroad.

[@lotharschepers2240]

@@RobJP94 So you did have an idea why you watch such stuff.

[@ginsburgerheide]

You lucky I love the 2 hour dinner in France fantastic food in the morning fresh from the baekery the long bread god bless greetings from Florida Helmut and jasmin

[@kandymendoza644]

Hi

[@derrikgilmore5975]

As a North German living in America for the last 37 years I've really enjoyed your videos. I'm so glad that you do point out regional differences - and by the way, I never heard about the Christmas pickle until this video... 🙂

[@annieonymouse4467]

I've heard of it but we don't celebrate it - I think it comes from Pennsylvania. There are US catalogues from there that sell the ornament. Also a peppermint pig you smash with a hammer. That's also supposed to come from Germany.

[@derrikgilmore5975]

@@annieonymouse4467 that's a pass for Northern Germany on the peppermint pig - is a tradition that started in Saratoga Springs, NY 😁

[@shoopdj]

Our church sings "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht" every Christmas. There are a lot of German descendants in our town.

[@legitlinus9052]

in german?

[@shoopdj]

@@legitlinus9052 Ja!

[@curtisehrgott4019]

Our church does one verse in German. I also tell the story of the WWI Christmas truce (I am the pastor)

[@hotwax9376]

I also live in a heavily German-American community, and IIRC some of the older residents are native German speakers. One of the local LCMS churches does a living Nativity every Christmas, but while you wait to go out, they have you go inside the church and sing carols. One of the popular ones is Silent Night, with the first verse performed in both German and English. However, the German words they use are different from the most commonly heard ones. (e.g. Instead of "Schlaf in himmlische Ruh," it ends, "Bei den himmlischen Kind.") My family has only the smallest bit of German ancestry but I've been thoroughly immersed in the German culture surrounding me and took two years of German in high school. so I kind of like it.

[@jennieoulton1714]

Hi Felicity - just a thank you for this video :) you saved the day for my family. We have a German exchange student in our home for this year. Today was the first Sunday of Advent and my German Daughter kept asking me about the Advent Candle and when we were going to light it etc..This is only something that we do in church so i was "in the dark" about how to make it special for her. Your video helped me and I collected four candles and asked her to help us make one! It came out beautiful with holly and pinecones and we lit it together tonight as a family :) Your channel has be so important for me (and now I will be ready for December 6th!) - lots of love and Merry Christmas!

[@doroparker1702]

Oh, this is so sweet of you. Being away from home is difficult during Christmas time. Especially when you love the traditions of your family. Did the girl get an Advents calender from her parents? You could do one yourself. Just 24 little boxes from matches or little sacks or socks or a mix of it. Fill every one with a sweet, or little cosmetic or cinema ticket. So every day there is a little treat. You can do one for the family and every day one of the family gets the treat. Depending on your budget.

[@hebdomatical]

This really is sweet.

[@Myrtone]

Felicity? Is that the anglicised form of Felicia? At least in German (Spanish too) her name is Felicia, which would be Felice in French.

[@Sean-Murphy]

@@Myrtone Possibly used a cell phone and it autocorrected her name and was missed. Done it so many times while watching videos. I actually watch KZbin on my desktop 95% of the time because of this lol

[@Myrtone]

@@Sean-Murphy Using a mobile phone to comment is a really bad idea.

[@AndrewSmoot]

I stumbled upon this channel yesterday; my family on my mother's side is of German ancestry, and I've learned more about the culture, and my heritage, in the last twenty-four hours than I have in thirty plus years. So, danke schön!

[@AndrewSmoot]

Three weeks later, my family has always had real trees since I can remember.

[@ushklavdragonen6009]

When you showed the lit tree with everyone singing....hit me in the feels. Would be priceless to have moments like these.

[@zaza588]

I had the incredible luck of having a German Christmas a few years ago, as I was staying with the family of my German friend in Nordrhein-Westfalen. It was, without a doubt, the most magical and wonderful Christmas I ever had. I still remember the candlelit tree ❤️ I really want to experience it again one day!

[@yogib37]

a lot of people do not know that Christmas song.."silent Night" was written in German originally.

[@WienerVL]

Right and this song is from Austria! Composed from a teacher and a priest!

[@Marco-bf4uu]

@@WienerVL That's German.

[@Marco-bf4uu]

How could you not know this?

[@NurWahrheiten]

@@Marco-bf4uu i guess he confused it with "in Germany" - because that's what happened to me in the first moment

[@ulfbraun943]

@@NurWahrheiten The lyrics were written in German but the composer and the poet came from Austria. In 2011, Silent Night, Holy Night was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage in Austria.

[@user-uv9fz5rw4z]

I’m a fourth generation German American, and we’ve always observed Advent (we are Lutheran) and St. Nicholas Day on December 6. We got chocolates, oranges, and potatoes in stockings and usually a small toy or clothing. We also celebrate Christmas on December 24/25 like everyone else here.

[@freeduc]

Most everything you described about German Christmas was pretty much the same here 50 years ago. Except for the outdoor Christmas markets. I grew up in small-town USA actually about 20 miles West of Cincinnati on the Indiana border. For someone as old as me (67) it's kind of amazing and disappointing how much the traditions have changed over the years. I like your channel and find the topics very interesting. My maternal grandparents were 1st generation Americans, my Great Grandparents came over from Germany. I have no idea what region they were from. I'm sure you're impressed. Haha. Well, I've rambled on long enough. Keep up the good work. Peace and Merry Christmas!

[@lotharschepers2240]

Hello Bob, as a native German and only a few years younger than you, I have to agree that although here in Germany the traditions did fade more and more. The majority of my fellow citizens will have a hard time to explain what Christmas or Eastern is all about and with the knowledge the traditions did although fade away.

[@FiveOClockTea]

@@lotharschepers2240 you mean the birth and revival of Christ? I'm 26 and pretty much everyone I know knows that :-)

[@ShaunRF]

I had so much Glühwein when I visited Germany during the holiday season. It was being served almost everywhere we went.

[@The_Dudester]

When I was 13, my family bought a new house. Starting that Christmas we would buy a living Christmas tree. After the holiday, we would plant the tree in the yard. We did that until our property was basically a forest. Then we sold the house and the new owner tore out the trees. Sad 😢. Thank you Felicia for sharing. You are a fount of information.

[@nelskrogh3238]

We did the same thing at our first house. It is also now a forest but the next house has lots of trees so we had to stop the tradition.

[@cmohnasky]

We also have advent wreaths in the US.

[@debbiefogarty51]

I’m Lutheran and Advent is celebrated, it’s the anticipation leading up to Christmas! We go to Advent services at Church on 4 Wednesdays leading up to Christmas Eve services, then on Christmas Day we go to Church and open our Christmas presents. Lots of Praising God in the Devine Services. We decorate our homes with advent wreath and sometime after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve we decorate our Christmas tree and homes. Lutherans love to sing Advent and Christmas hymns! God’s richest blessings to you and your family! Merry Christmas!

[@Cam-cb4io]

Now that I'm older and working in a large city.. Advent seems to go by in a flash. 😓 I miss Advent when I was younger and back then, Advent was the longest time of the year. Lighting all of the four candles took forever! 🙂

[@jrh80]

Love this! It always amazes me how many Americans think we are “keeping the Christ in Christmas,” but how little we actually remember that Christ is Christmas and it’s about our families also. Thank you so much for sharing. I love the German traditions and have adopted many myself... it’s so magical. :)

[@gadget5129]

My wife and I love, love, love this episode. She particularly loves the Munich Christmas markets. Though she only went there in the spring. I would bring things home from the markets when I was there during December. She has always wanted to go herself. But timing just never worked out that way. Thanks so much for putting the work into doing these. We have good friends in Munich. But we’ve never gotten together for Christmas. So it’s quite delightful to get all the background you provide. Our German friends being, well, German, don’t waste a lot of time talking about this stuff. Sending hugs and Christmas cheer!

[@randynovick7972]

My ex-wife was Bavarian, from Augsburg. She told me that as a kid, on christmas eve, she would try and stay awake, looking out the window, waiting for baby Jesus to bring her presents... but she would always fall asleep before he came. She always did a very nice christmas around the house. I miss stollen the most, I think.

[@acer3573]

My Mom is from Germany and bakes cookies including a walnut sandwich cookie with strawberry jam in the middle called Spitzbuben. Sometimes growing up we would have lebkuchen and weihnachtstollen sent by my Oma.

[@xar1234]

acer3573 Spitzbuben are my favorite Christmass cookies!

[@acer3573]

@@xar1234 My Mom already has a batch ready and waiting for me to get home :D

[@rockyracoon3233]

@@acer3573 . Sounds yummy! I'm a hard core Germanophile too!!!

[@paulwrighton5236]

German Christmas sounds like fun

[@sassytbc7923]

Paul Wrighton they do seem to have quite a few. I believe they are indirectly responsible for the Christmas tree as well.

[@sassytbc7923]

Thank you for sharing your traditions.

[@lotharschepers2240]

@@sassytbc7923 If it comes to the Christmas tree, yes we Germans are guilty about that. And you could blame the Austrians for your "Holy night silent night" song.

[@galaxygamer0405]

Oh it is

[@mmspost7921]

I love how the family sings Christmas songs on Christmas Eve. I actually think I will organise that with my in-laws once we have a child. In my little family we play Christmas Scrabble, which is something I made myself, it is basically the size of four scrabble boards except I made it by sawing symbols on a large linen piece of cloth the colour of old paper. It looks like an Egyptian version of scrabble and it is very beautiful. We ordered lots of extra scrabble tiles off amazon and now we literally have four scrabble games into one. Christmas Scrabble.

[@michelroerig7825]

In Germany there is a soccer club ( Union Berlin ) that makes a singing of christmas songs in the stadium: www.spiegel.de/video/weihnachtssingen-bei-union-berlin-28-500-teilnehmer-video-1824349.html

[@pennisauer2121]

My sister, an ex-pat living in Southern Germany for the past 30 years, puts up her family's tree while her German husband takes the kids to church on Christmas eve. Here, I put our tree right after Thanksgiving. The youngest puts the angel on the top - this year my grandson. My inlaws were from Germany and introduced me to Krampus. That's who we have sitting on our shelf next to Santa.

[@DidrickNamtvedt]

I love fondue and raclette, my mom discovered those dishes when she lived in Switzerland in her teens and she brought them back home to Norway and our whole family loves them! And Christmas markets are starting to become a thing here in Norway too, we have one here in my hometown Bergen that started two years ago and has really caught on with the public. It's so nice and cozy :)

[@lotharschepers2240]

Hello, fellow European, I'm a bit surprised that Norway (and especially Bergen) did start the Christmas market only two years ago, as our nations did have such a close cultural relationship. Merry Christmas and a reflective Advent season.

[@arroe8386]

As a Swiss I can't imagine Christmas without raclette 😋

[@markhall6306]

Bergen is my favorite city have relatives there and my grandfather was born in Sogne Fjord

[@thomaspawlak6487]

Thank you for videos I really enjoy learning about other cultures . I live in Wisconsin Dells and we cut are own Christmas trees . Wisconsin has the best brats in the US 👍

[@Gr8man4sex]

I loved this video and actually learned a lot from it. I was actually stationed in Berlin during my time in the U.S. Army from 1979 - 1981 and love German food. One of our favorite things to eat was Currywurst and Pommes Frits. I am also very fond of German pastries and I could eat sauerkraut and bratwurst every day and there is nothing better than fresh brotchen. I find all of your videos very informative and if you ever come to Louisville, Kentucky I would love to meet you.

[@LvBMusik]

I was born and grew up in Canada, but I’m of German heritage, and the way you celebrate Christmas on Heiligabend with the bell, the lights, the singing, putting the tree up on the morning of December 24, etc., is exactly how we celebrate ❤️ Thank for doing this video.

[@Daphne-tm5lg]

I’m an 80 year old American, and I only heard of the Christmas pickle a few months ago!

[@georgiancrossroads]

Hey Feli I just want to say I've been in several countries around Christmas time. And while there are many Christmas customs that I love I have to say that if I was given a choice of where I'd like to celebrate Christmas Lower Germany and Austria would be at the top of the list. Danke!

[@jefferyparks2716]

Hello, Felicia ( I apologize if I've misspelled your name), I just want to say that I think that, from what you have told us in this video, it sounds like Germany has some very beautiful Christmas traditions. I am an American and when I was a little boy my parents used to line living room wall, near the Christmas tree, with five gallon buckets and fill them with fruits, nuts, and candies that we never saw until Christmas morning. We would always get a real tree that we would decorate about 2 or 3 weeks before Christmas. On the tree we would put the usual ornaments, lights, and tinsel but we would also decorate it with candy canes and round pieces of chocolates wrapped in gold colored foil that resembled gold coins. These were always a real treat for my brothers and sisters and I. We would also string Christmas lights around the spruce trees in our yard as well as on the house. What I loved most about Christmas was joyous feelings we all felt about the season. There would always be carolers singing in front of houses in our neighborhood. What I loved most about this holiday was that it brought my family together so that we all enjoyed spending time together and just enjoyed the season. I feel that these days Christmas has become too commercialized. Its more about the gifts than the spirit of the holiday. I wish we could learn from Germany's example and bring the spirit of Christmas back into the holiday. I love your videos. Have a wonderful holiday season and Merry Christmas! :-)

[@Myrtone]

The spelling of her name is right in the description.

[@brianmiller1077]

I grew up in a very German descendant area of the USA ( we would sing Oh Tannenbaum in German). One of the different things we did is after the Christmas eve service they would hand out apples on the way out.

[@michaelbowie6599]

Our Christmas experience is long but Here we go. My wife, Amy, and I went to the christkindlmarkt in Augsburg. Amy was due to give birth any day so needless to say she was large and glowing lol. We had a real nice apartment but money was tight so we stopped at all the venders and looked a lot but bought very little. I had just finished a small mug of gluhwein and stopped at the largest booth there. After looking at multiple items a man approached us. Very business like and quiet. We moved aside as we thought he was purchasing something. Being new to Germany I did not understand what he was saying to the vendor but then he wished us a good Christmas. Not sure exactly lol. Then the vendor, in broken english, started asking us item by item if we like them. After he went through them all he asked us to wait so we did. He was packing all the items we liked and told us that the gentleman who had stopped told him to give us anything we liked and it would be our present for Christmas. We had no idea and tried to tell him it was too much but it looked as though he was insistent so we accepted. It took the two of us and a friend to carry it all. It took a while for my wife to stop crying but we have never know who he was but we felt so blessed so Christmas in Germany has a profound effect on us still today. Oh, our daughter was born January 5th. She was two weeks over due! Lol

[@annandrews7326]

Beautiful story!❤

[@joey_556]

Damn Germany is more family and holiday oriented then here in the US

[@doroparker1702]

US is so much oriented on money, incredible. Just shopping, shopping, shopping.

[@robertmcgee7083]

American DemocRats are becoming Anti family/religion

[@jatelf7]

@@robertmcgee7083 Capitalism at it's finest. It also sounds you have your own prejudices going on there.

[@blindleader42]

@@robertmcgee7083 Congratulations on your "Christmas spirit", fuckwit.

[@Sailor-Dave]

@@robertmcgee7083 We are confirmed Christian Democrats and proud of it. We thank God for His mercy, and endeavor to help everyone wherever we can. We are very pro-family and pro-Christian. Please don't condemn what you obviously don't know. This is a great place to learn about another culture. Please don't spoil it with your bile.

[@tdoggo7614]

My parents lived in Munich (Munchen) before I was born. They loved Christmas in Germany and bought lots of German ornaments which I still have today. They were stunning mercury glass. We did the advent calendars growing up also and she always did mincemeat cookies.

[@lovelyisabelle2028]

did you know that mercury glass ornaments are called Bauernsilber (farmers silver(-ware)) ? ;) These ornaments are a pretty common thing here in Germany since they have been handed down the families for centuries. Grüße aus München ☺️

[@Roger21989]

Love hearing you speak German, reminds me of family in Augsburg!

[@Bill_H]

Happy Advent Felicity. I am a worship pastor at a church in Newark, Ohio. Seeing you share the traditions for Advent and Christmas from your home made my day. Thank you for sharing, and God bless you always!

[@LoraGradinarov]

Hey you were so excited talking about this, it was very sweet. Greetings from Germany at christmas time!!

[@countenanceblog]

This will be my second Christmas in Germany. And, honestly, it's been rather magical to experience Christmas in the place where almost all of the secular parts of the modern day Christmas observation canon came to be.

[@FlyingDutchman19801]

When I was a kid, growing up in Holland, advent was not a thing at all - except for the calender with the doors with chocolate behind them. To get my mother to buy that calender, that was what advent was all about for me.

[@noelduncan583]

I think I heard that you may experience Christmas with fifteen family members in your home. I am the Grandson of German-Americans from Quakenbrück. I am living alone in Los Angeles. Your life is so wonderful. Merry Christmas to all of you. Thank you for sharing your cute life with us.

[@bigfy74]

Very nice and informative. Thank you.

[@sactiger2817]

Wonderful vlog, Feli... vielen dank! I wish you a very Happy Christmas Season... and safe travels to Deutschland. Bis zum nächsten Mal!! :)

[@noelduncan583]

Thank you so much! You are such a darling to share German Christmas with us.

[@CapitalJ25]

I love your videos about your experiences in the USA. May this holiday season and new year be your best ones yet!!

[@YodaPagoda]

This was so nice to see, a lot of the Christmas traditions that we have are pretty similar. As I'm a big reader of WWII history, some of the most heartbreaking stories were those on the front lines, hearing the Germans on the other side singing "Silent Night," which of course sounds exactly the same no matter what language it's sung in.

[@dennismitchell5414]

That was a great video , Christmas in Germany looks awesome ! . I was visiting my Dad in Stavanger , Norway during the Christmas season in 1976 and the town looked so nice with all of the old worldly decorations. Love your channel Felicia , keep up the great work and be safe ! .

[@tsangarisjohn]

It all sounds great. Merry Christmas 🎄

[@marybrand8269]

My family is of Polish decent so we have a lot of Polish foods but we spent 7 years of my youth in Germany while my dad was in the military. We lived in Baumholder and spent Christmas with a German family. It was very nice just as you described and everyone got one present, usually something they really wanted or needed. I grew up going to Christmas Eve mass and spending Christmas Day with family. We also had an Advent wreath.

[@mithroch]

My family has a lot of German and Swiss ancestry. Growing up, my Christmases were very similar to what you described. We always had a real tree, though we put ours up a week or so before Christmas. After dad trimmed the excess branches... mom would make a wreath from them and hang on the front door. We always went to Christmas Eve service in the evening at our church... and opened presents when we got home. Christmas Day would be at one of my grandparents with my extended family.

[@honas908]

Merry Christmas! I'll be sure to pick up an advent calendar from my local Aldi.

[@vikingshelm]

That is awesome I love hearing your stories. It is so interesting how different cultures celebrate Christmas.

[@stevedisbrow8236]

What a wonderful video! So thankful for you explaining German traditions and Christmas celebrations. We're blessed to have you here in the USA to explain this to us. God Bless You, Merry Christmas!

[@bjoern0975]

You are portraying the German Christmas traditions very accurately. The only difference for my family (in North-Western Germany), when we were kids, was that our living room was locked all day through on Christmas Eve. We were told it had to be that way, so the Christkind would feel safe to come, set up the tree and gifts, and not be disturbed. So my brother and I would always try to peek in through the key hole or from outside. Then, in the afternoon, when my father was back home from work and after we had had coffee and cake, my parents would tell us they heard a sound and we should go hide in our children's room, because they thought the Christkind was there. After a few minutes we would hear a bell and were allowed to go into the living room lit up only by the (real) candles on the tree.

[@lovelyisabelle2028]

my parents did the same thing and locked up the living room and stuffed sth in the key holes so that no one could peak AFTER lunch so that my mum could decorate the tree and store the presents underneath AKA let the Christkind come in and bring the presents. The same time we went into the Kindermette (a mass held in the church at afternoon time especially made for children with a play of the Christmas story and typical songs). Then we came home, my mom rang the bell and we were allowed inside. But before we opened the presents we opened the windows and thanked the Christkind. ☺️☺️

[@garyblack8717]

I miss the Christmas market in Mannheim (I was stationed there for 3 years in the '90s).

[@wasweiich2190]

Im from Mannheim. Where were you? Mannheim-Käfertal? Mannheim-Neckarstadt-Ost? Every morning (7am i think) i heard the trumpet wake up call. But im talking from ~ 2007. Yes our two markets are still awesome.

[@garyblack8717]

@@wasweiich2190 I was stationed at Collman Barracks (Actually in Ludwigsaffen but a short bus ride to Mannheim) I think that barracks was closed not long after I left in '93. Your country is beautiful! I remember my 3 years there fondly.

[@aglom69]

Spinelli barracks 86-88

[@judithrapier92]

Being Catholic we do the Advent wreath and calendar here in the States. Dad always flocked the real tree with snow made with Lux soap flakes, using water and whipping it like meringue. We used our hands to scoop up the "snow" starting inside the tree , out. One last glob on the end of each branch. The worst part was cleaning the lights from the tree after Christmas. Dad made gloog on the stove and Mother made a stollen. Ooooo, red cabbage. My favorite.

[@MichaelScheele]

My father's family emigrated from Germany to the United States in the 1860s. My grandmother made Spritzgebäck and other German cookies for Christmas. My grandfather used to sing "Stille Nacht" and "O Tannebaum" in German. In later years, I found locally made Weihnachtsstollen and shared it with my grandmother a few years before she died. I am glad that they did not retain the tradition of Krampus.

[@lillibethm4747]

Yes, Spritzgebäck is still one of the best.... if it is done with lots of butter and nuts...

[@dabneyscholler8495]

My husband's family is from Aachen, I'm learning a lot this Christmas!

[@adrunkpotato4742]

I live in maine, we actually got one of our christmas tree's fresh from the backyard.

[@stevenkoehler6018]

Beautiful. Thank you. I’m so proud of you!!!

[@timstaudacher8921]

We would go to the Christkindlmarkt here in Chicago, and being German Lutheran we also grew up lighting the Advent candles and using the Advent calendar. Always had a nativity scene (ours was a nice ceramic one), and we also visited the nativity plays held at various churches, with actors and live animals. Our trees, lights and gifts were typically American. No Christmas pickle!

[@Thankyou_20]

I'm learning Germany,and I love your video,because those are really understandable for me. Someday I want to go to German,and live there!!

[@scottsmith8546]

Thank you for sharing Felicia, it's cool to hear about how Christmas is celebrated in Germany and other countries in Europe, thank you for sharing. We have Advent at church too, where there are candles lit every Week leading up to the birth of Jesus. Communion is also a part of it every weekend leading up to Christmas.

[@Charles-vk1lb]

Thank you so much for sharing your Christmas traditions. I relish both the common connections we share, along with the differences that make our Christmas experiences unique. Have a very Merry Christmas and a bountiful New Year. Thank you.

[@ashton564]

I love how happy lighting the advent candle made you. Happy second Sunday of Advent!

[@reychavez3245]

There’s a Kindle market here in Chicago, it’s vary nice

[@lorenzo52877]

we have a year-round Christmas store up here in Michigan and its near Frankenmuth which is Michigans little Bavaria, Its a place I think you would enjoy.

[@phtevenmolz5030]

Bronner's! It's the largest Christmas store in the world. I loved Frankenmuth when I lived in MI.

[@tiffanyguldi7564]

Yes! I just wrote the same comment:) We love it and live not to far from it.

[@robertsmith1768]

I have no idea why but KZbin recommended your channel to me. Its fun hearing your observations and your positive attitude. Merry Christmas!

[@btqy]

Happy holiday! Thank you for your Christmas present by sharing your traditions. Enjoyed it. Merry Christmas 🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅👼👼👼👼👼✌

[@bethzeman7749]

Thanks for a great video. Although this is from last year, i'm going to comment away 😎👍 advent is TOTALLY a thing here in the USA, although it is more of a Christian observance than a secular one. our family and our church light the advent wreath and say prayers every day of advent as we await the birth of Jesus. our candles are purple for weeks 1, 2 and 4 and pink for week 3.

[@modemacabre]

At least in the church I grew up in we had five candles. Four purple (the colour of royalty) for the Sundays of Advent and a white one in the centrre, the Christ candle, for Christmas Day. We often made our own with pine boughs in Sunday school to take home and burn the candles there. So not to so different as here in Germany (I'm an American living in Germany) although here there does seem to be more of a secular crossover, I think.

[@bethzeman7749]

Kirk W. Was it a Catholic Church?

[@modemacabre]

@@bethzeman7749 United Methodist actually

[@richkestrel7416]

I am American of Bavarian (and Italian, and...) descent, and we practiced most of those traditions you have in your video. Advent wreath (purple candle, purple candle, pink candle, purple candle then white candle on Christmas eve), Advent calendars, Christmas tree going up on Christmas eve, decorations stay up until 06JAN (end of Christmas season, beginning of Epiphany). We didn't do anything for Nikolaustag (06DEC) or Krampusnacht (05DEC), but it's cool to see what I grew up with here in the States is very similar to what y'all do in Germany. I'm guessing the "pickle" thing was simply a marketing thing from ornament makers. We have one from Bonner in our tree... but don't to that whole "first child who finds in gets an extra present" thing. Frohe Weihnachten aus Texas!

[@claymaynard4207]

Awesome video. I really enjoy learning about cultures and traditions from around the world. So thank you.

[@tommymejia8244]

Hey Feli, that was AWESOME!!!! Sehr GUT!!!! Thanks so much for sharing... I even learned a couple of new German words...Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas...Tommy

[@comput3rman77]

Stollen is not like Fruitcake. The only similarity is that they both use candied fruit, other than that they are nothing alike.

[@holger_p]

It's all the same ingredients, just in little different proportions. (And I baked both). Stollen is closer to a Cookie dough, so you can keep it 4-6 months. There is no moisture in it. No Eggs, No Water, No Milk, except very little as a starter for the yeast. By all the butter, it will rather turn rancid than perish.

[@glennyoder3438]

Interesting my family came from Germany in the 1700's. When I was a child we always celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve, having our Christmas dinner, and opening presents. So it sounds like they kept the tradition even though they had been in the U.S. for over a couple hundred years. Then Christmas day we would go over to relatives and visit with them.

[@johndavidson1531]

The way you all celebrate before you open presents is just beautiful! It hit me right in the feels! Thanks for the video and God Bless!

[@Sherrn21]

My parents are from Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Farchant. We also went into our bedroom Christmas Eve and the Christkind would bring our presents and my mom would ring a bell when we could come out. We always sat around with candles lit and listened to a record of German music “Weihnachten in den Bergen”.

[@Trifler500]

When I grew up, pretty much everyone had a real Christmas tree, especially since the fake trees looked so awful. They've improved a lot since then, especially the expensive ones. I think the primary motivation behind the fake trees is to avoid killing a tree every year, more than convenience. I'm sure convenience doesn't hurt, but yeah. I always loved getting and decorating the Christmas tree, but I always felt sad to watch it wither and then throw it away. For several years we used a tree in a pot so it didn't have to die, then once it got too big we planted it in the yard. :)

[@lotharschepers2240]

The real tree thing is a bit more than only about convenience. The German carol "O Tannenbaum" praises the loyalty of the tree (because it did not lose its "leafs"). And about sustainability, Christmas trees did grow in plantations like any other farm products so in the end they help the farm business to make some profit. The majority of them did end up as a sweetie for the elephants in our zoos.

[@Trifler500]

@@lotharschepers2240 That's a good way of doing things. Just FYI, the plural of leaf is "leaves" if you're interested.

[@lotharschepers2240]

@@Trifler500 Thanks for the information. I'm a native German and orthography was always a foreign language to me, my standard phrase on such a thing is: You found it so you can keep it, but in this case, I like to share one information with you. Obviously, Grammarly sucks, so once again thanks for your helping hand.

[@dcn.phillip]

Felicia, I appreciate your video. In the States, I think the Advent wreath and candles are mostly a Catholic tradition here. I find it interesting that you used white candles without tying a purple ribbon around the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Advent Sunday candles and pink ribbon around the 3rd Candle. The other common variation here is to have the candle wax colored to these Sundays. If you are interested, I know a Catholic Church in Cincinnati that has a Mass in German every Sunday: Old St. Mary's Catholic Church.

[@tabbylynn4130]

Just recently found your channel but I am in love and with you and Germany!! I sooo want to move there. Ty for all the info and time you put into these videos.

[@edmarra2740]

Thank you for this video! One of my uncles was in Germany for a while in the late 1940's, and when he came back, he started to add some of the German Christmas traditions he loved to what my family did here. When I was born and as I grew up, I got to know some of these (as well as you showing some other wonderful traditions!) It's great knowing about the background of some of these, so thank you!

[@fkflintstone]

The real lit candles on a real tree make me nervous. I really like the rest of the traditions , they seem like a great way to celebrate Christmas.

[@josephschmidt4157]

I love German traditions. Hope you enjoy living here. I'm a German American. My grandfather was from Hamburg.

[@holger_p]

Concerning your self-description as German American, we have to establish, that such third generation people, call themselves Italian German or Turkish German in Germany too. They still have trouble with their identity. Cause they never intended to migrate. The all moved with the intention to go back one day.

[@noscheisse2455]

I’m a German American too. 🇩🇪🇺🇸

[@josephschmidt4157]

Nice to meet you!

[@noscheisse2455]

@@josephschmidt4157 Yep. 😌

[@josephschmidt4157]

How are you?

[@Sailor-Dave]

Your Christmas sounds very nice indeed! I really am enjoying your videos.

[@scott2464]

Felicity thank you so much for taking the time to make and post this and all your other videos.. I would love to be a fly on the wall during Christmas Eve at your home. Beautiful how you have kept not only German traditions but also your family traditions alive and well. So beautiful to see.. God Bless you and your family..

[@SuperBigdude77]

You have a beautiful smile.

[@curtlewis2795]

Hi Feli! Love your videos! So interesting and fun! Just a comment on Advent in the US. As you suggest, Advent is not as common here, at least in secular celebrations of the season. And really, not a thing in evangelical churches, either Note: As I'm sure you already know (because you are quite well informed) our American use of the term "evangelical" differs from the German usage. For you,the Evangelische Kirche is more-or-less a federation of denominations that include Lutherans and others Here, we Lutherans would not generally be included among "evangelicals" but are generally included in the term "mainline protestants" That said, Lutherans (like our sisters and brothers in traditions like Roman Catholic, Anglican and Presbyterian -- just to name three) do indeed place heavy emphasis on Advent while evangelicals like Baptists, Assemblies of God and others do not So, Lutherans -- tracing our heritage back to your beloved homeland -- love our Advent wreaths, candles and calendars. All meant to prepare our hearts for Christ's arrival (advent) much as Mary prepared that manger to receive her Baby Jesus so long ago. Again, I just LOVE your videos! Curt Lewis Arlington, TX

[@lhkraut]

Now I want to go back to Bremen for the Weihnachtsmarkt! Hope you have the best Christmas ever with your family!

[@donnamontague8256]

My paternal grandmother was born in Germany in the late 1800's (she moved to USA at age 13) and we celebrated Christmas at their house on Christmas Eve with all of our aunts, uncles, and cousins. I loved the tree decorated with blown glass ornaments and real candles clipped onto the tips of branches! And, yes, there was a pickle for us to find with an extra sweet treat to whoever discovered it first! I remember her singing O' Tannenbaum and Silent Night in German every year. Wonderful memories and probably why I love decorating a Christmas tree, and I've always had a pickle for it!!

[@Ul.B]

I'm sorry to have to say that, but over 90 percent of Germans do not know the Christmas pickle. No wonder, after all, the story only came up with the import of glass ornaments from Germany in the 1890s.

[@dannyboy5086]

I spent a few childhood years in Germany (on US Air Base) where my parents picked up on some of the German traditions they liked. I guess I know now why they kept calling it "Glue Vine". Great video, keep em up!

[@xar1234]

Danny Boy „Glue wine“ ist great, if you spill it, it really gets sticky.

[@1allanbmw]

"Zie ginds komt de stoomboot uit Spaijne weer aan..." Dutch kids expect Sinteerklaas to arrive by boat from Spain. This is on 5 December. So... I guess he goes east from there to Germany?!! Lol!

[@jurgenschur9210]

I was born 10 years after world war 2. My mother came from Breslau with her mother as refugees to Dresden. My parents had not much money but Christmas was always wonderful. We had a little Christmas tree on a table with candles, which were only lit by my father. When my father played the violin, we four children could come in. We sang Christmas songs and my father played the flute and I played a little piano. Before we were at the church and had dinner with grandma and grandpa who lived 500 meters far from us. Of course, we children had no money, so we were creative and made gifts ourselves. It was so a nice time. The whole family was still alive. Some gifts came from the sisters of my grandma from the west of Germany. Not much, but we were happy anyway. I could cry when I think of these happy times. Our childhood was a time of lack of things but a time of a warm net in our family. To have many things is not necessary if one feels love for each another. I wish everyone a peaceful Christmas.

[@amandameriwether8106]

You look so happy when you describe your Christmas memories! That is so charming. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@johnhostage4828]

I've never heard of the Christmas pickle.

[@holger_p]

So maybe of something like a Beerstein ? That's the same fake german term.

[@Airtouch67]

Your Christmas traditions are very similar to Iceland 🙂. Thanks for sharing...

[@CapitalJ25]

This video is very educational! Thank you for sharing your German Christmas traditions! May life's best await you this Christmas and in the New Year

[@howardjohnson2138]

As usual, this is another super presentation. Thank you

[@maxskill1877]

Advent, Advent, A little light is burning. First one, then two, Then three, then four, Then Baby Jesus stands at the door. :)

[@rivenoak]

und wenn das 5. Lichtlein brennt hat der Weihnachtsmann verpennt. :p

[@WienerVL]

@@rivenoak Der war gut!;-))

[@user-jf8gd3lv7q]

@@rivenoak Es gibt keinen "Weihnachtsmann" in Deutschland! Es gibt den Nikolaus, Knecht Ruprecht oder Krampus, und vor allem gibt es das Christkind... du Genie! Der Weihnachtsmann ist eine amerikanische Verdummung unserer "kids".... Lach! Ist dir immer noch nicht klar, dass die Amerikanisierung von sogar unseren alten Weihnachtsgebräuchen in Deutschland das ziemlich Letzte ist, was wir gebrauchen können? Merkt euch das einfach mal, ihr naiven "Preissn"...! Schöner Gruß aus Bayern!

[@nOmis46218]

@@user-jf8gd3lv7q 🎅

[@tlandry9689]

🎼Advent is a time to wait, Not quite time to celebrate. Light the candles one by one, ‘Til the Advent time is done.

[@sanjuro66]

When I traveled to Germany, I had lebkuchen in Bamberg. :)

[@thescientificmusician3531]

Thanks for the video! I lived in Cincinnati for seven years and studied music and "Germanistik" at U.C in the late 1980s. I loved it there. Enjoy your time with your family in Germany! Frohe Weihnachten!

[@thomasking2021]

Felicia, my family puts up Christmas lights on house day after Thanksgiving as well as artificial tree. One present opened on Christmas eve, the rest Christmas day. When I was little, parents would take family to Christmas eve church service. Fröhliche Weinachten und eine glückliche neues Jahr. Keep up the good work.