What is Christmas Day called in Germany?

Christmas Day is called 'Erster Feiertag' Unlike Christmas Day celebrations in England, the Germans know 25th December as 'Erster Feiertag', which means first celebration day.

What do Germans call Xmas Eve?

Weihnachten is the observance of what is commonly known in English as Christmas Eve in the German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

What day is Christmas celebrated in Germany?

Germany celebrates Christmas with two public holidays, 25 and 26 December. For many people, 24 December, Christmas Eve, is divided into a hectic morning and a festive evening.

What is the 24th of December called in Germany?

Christmas celebrations start in Germany on 24th December (Christmas Eve) when Christmas gifts are exchanged. On 25th December (Christmas Day) and 26 December, usually the family gets together for celebrations and also the religious Christians will visit Christmas mass during these days.

Why is Christmas called Weihnachten in Germany?

The German word for Christmas, Weihnachten, comes from the Middle High German ze den wihen nahten, which means “in the consecrated, holy nights.” If you pull the word apart, you can see two parts: Weih and Nacht. Whereas Weih gives the word its “consecrated, holy” meaning, Nacht is the German word for night.

Learn German Holidays - Christmas Day

What does Weihnachten literally mean?

From Middle High German wīhenahten (“Christmas”), from a dative plural ze den wīhen nahten (“in the holy nights”).

What is Santa Claus called in Germany?

Traditionally, Santa Claus, or Weihnachtsmann in German, does not drop down chimneys and deliver gifts the eve of Dec. 25 in Germany. Instead, the Christkind or Christkindl, an angel-like creature with blond hair and wings, brings gifts to families on the eve of Christmas.

What is the 2nd day of Christmas in Germany?

Christmas Day(s) - der erste und zweite Weihnachtstag

Both December 25 and 26 are legal holidays in Germany and are known as the First and Second Christmas Day respectively. What originally started out as a church celebration of Christ's birth has gradually become a family celebration.

How is Advent celebrated in Germany?

Many families in Germany put an Advent wreath on the living room table the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The wreaths have four large candles and, traditionally, pinecones and berries. As lights are dimmed, the whole family gathers around the wreath. As one, they spend a quiet, reflective hour together.

Is December 24 a holiday in Germany?

Christmas Eve | December, 24

The start of the Winter Holidays in Germany.

What do Germans do on December 25th?

Christmas Day is a public holiday in Germany on December 25. Many people spend the day with their family. Large meals with traditional foods are served and Christmas decorations are displayed. German Christmas decorations include nutcrackers, Christmas pyramids, and cribs.

Is Christmas tree German?

Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce.

What does Krampus do in Germany?

Krampus, in central European popular legend, a half-goat, half-demon monster that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime. He is the devilish companion of St. Nicholas. Krampus is believed to have originated in Germany, and his name derives from the German word Krampen, which means “claw.”

How long is Weihnachten?

Christians have historically celebrated a period of 12 days surrounding Christmas. The nearly two-week time period starts and ends with two pretty significant holidays: Christmas on December 25 and the Epiphany on January 6.

What is St Stephen's day in Germany?

Boxing Day in Germany is celebrated on December 26, just a day after Christmas. It is also called St Stephan's day who was the first Christian martyr, convicted of blasphemy against Moses and God.

Why is December 26th called Boxing Day?

The name comes from a time when the rich used to box up gifts to give to the poor. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants - a day when they received a special Christmas box from their masters. The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give Christmas boxes to their families.

Why is Boxing Day celebrated in Germany?

Boxing Day comes from the tradition of elite British households giving their servants their leftover boxes from Christmas to which the servants would use these to give small gifts to each other. Many also use it to celebrate St. Stephen as well as boxing day.

What is December 6th in Germany?

6 December is Saint Nicholas Day, better known as Nikolaus in Germany. While the day may not receive the full religious celebration it does in Southern Germany and other traditionally Catholic regions, children across Europe look forward to this day each year.

Is Krampus German?

Krampus's name is derived from the German word krampen, meaning claw, and is said to be the son of Hel in Norse mythology. The legendary beast also shares characteristics with other scary, demonic creatures in Greek mythology, including satyrs and fauns.

What do Germans call Germany?

Not to be forgotten, the exonym Germans use is Deutschland. Just like with words, names evolve over time. Germany, for example, was called Germany by its inhabitants long before the country was united and began to call itself Deutschland.

How do you wish Merry Christmas in German?

How do u say good morning in German?

If you want to say good morning in German, you would simply say, “guten Morgen.” As the day wears on, you can go for “guten Abend” (good evening), or “gute Nacht” (good night).

What does Fröhliche Weihnachten?

Frohe/Fröhliche Weihnachten! Merry Christmas!