- German Recipes
- German Christmas Recipes
Oma's Traditional German Christmas
by: Gerhild Fulson / Using her extensive experience and cultural knowledge, Oma Gerhild provides trusted, authentic, and easy-to-follow German recipes both here and in her many cookbooks.
Below are German Christmas recipes and other holiday recipes to make celebrating "Christmas in Germany" a possibility, no matter where you are in the world.
Celebrating Christmas in Germany is such a feast for your senses. Every part of your being is affected - from the sights to behold, the scents to savor, and the tastes to enjoy.
Your spirit is renewed in the reason for the season, and your body is enveloped by the pleasures that only Christmas can fulfill.
Walking through a German village decorated for Weihnachten (Christmas) is amazing. The houses look like traditional gingerbread houses.
The Christmas Markets are well-stocked with all kinds of German Christmas foods as well as wood carvings and decorations for the Weihnachtsbaum (Christmas tree).
Adventskranz
It's also time to either make or buy an Advent wreath, aka Adventskranz. This is made of evergreen twigs and decorated with pine cones, little red mushrooms, and ribbons.
There are four candles: the first one is lit on the last Sunday in November, and then another candle on each successive Sunday before Christmas.
In the photo above, my Mutti (second on the left) and her Mutti and sisters are sitting around an Adventskranz, the centerpiece for their Christmas coffee.
(Wish I knew what delicious German Christmas recipes are displayed on the table.) The purpose for Advent? To prepare for the coming of Jesus.
Adventskalender
The Advent calendar is a real treat for kids. With 24 numbers on little doors that get opened according to the date, it’s an easy way for children to count down the days until Christmas Eve.
Behind each little door is usually a picture of a toy. The newer Advent calendars are much more enjoyable - chocolates are behind each door!
St. Nicholas Day
Another way of celebrating Christmas in Germany happens on December 6th. The night before, children put their shoes (the largest they can find) at their bedside.
The next morning, thanks to Saint Nicholas (St. Nick), the shoes are filled with all kinds of delicious treats, usually edible, but sometimes little toys as well. (Is this where the idea of the American Christmas stocking comes from?)
My friend, Renate, has a delightful article, "Childhood Memories Of German Christmas Customs" in which she talks about this "Santa Claus Day".
Weihnachtsabend (December 24)
The
last preparation for Christmas is the Weihnachtsbaum (Christmas tree).
Put up the morning of the 24th, it's decorated with nuts, cookies,
apples, tinsel, and real candles. The room with the tree was kept out of
sight from the children.
After
the Christmas Eve Church service, the candles (lights) are lit. A bell is
rung.
The children are finally allowed to enter into the room to behold the tree . . . and the presents hidden underneath!
The room is filled with all kinds of fragrances. Plates of Christmas cookies, marzipan, chocolates, and Christmas stollen are accompanied with bowls of fruits.
Gingerbread House
There's always a Gingerbread House to nibble on, a traditional treat was reminiscent of the Hansel and Gretel Fairy Tale.
Ours came in many shapes and themes. Unlike the modern gingerbread houses, mine were always solid cake. Not just a shell held together with icing.
I've made forts. I've made winter scenes. I've made zoos. I wish I had made photos of them all. Above is the only photo I have of one of the first gingerbread houses I made.
Now, the rest are just memories! What I do recall is that there were fun to make and fun to eat!
In fact, there are so many memories of the flavors of Christmas, whenever I start to bake, I'm transported back into the kitchen with Mutti! What fun we had making all the Christmas goodies.
Celebrate Christmas ... German-style
Enjoy the above German Christmas Baking recipes for your dessert table as you are celebrating Christmas in Germany where ever you are in the world.
Frohe Weihnachten!
German Christmas Memories
Do you have memories of celebrating Christmas in Germany?
Or perhaps you or your parents brought their German traditions with them, and you celebrated a German Christmas in other parts of the world.
Share your memories including the FOOD!
Comments? Questions?
You can leave a comment about this recipe or ask a question...
Pop right over to my private Facebook group, the Kaffeeklatschers. You'll find thousands of German foodies, all eager to help and to talk about all things German, especially these yummy foods.
Meet with us around Oma's virtual table, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and a piece of Apfelstrudel, and enjoy the visit.
Recent Articles
-
Easy Chicken Rice Soup Recipe – Oma's Hühner-Reissuppe Rezept.
Mar 03, 25 07:46 AM
My homemade chicken rice soup recipe is one you're sure to make often. Why? 'Cause it's so easy and so good. Make a huge batch that'll feed a crowd. Or, just so you can enjoy leftovers. -
German Bee Sting Cake Recipe - Oma's Bienenstich
Feb 20, 25 09:48 PM
Oma’s Bienenstich, the German Bee Sting Cake recipe, with its nutty topping and creamy filling is made WITHOUT yeast. Perfect when you’re wanting quick and easy, but YUMMY! -
German Fried Potatoes Recipe – Oma's Bratkartoffeln Rezept
Feb 19, 25 10:48 AM
German fried potatoes are among my favorites. Using raw or cooked potatoes, these Bratkartoffeln add some bacon, some onion, and various other ingredients and taste just like Oma’s.
The GOOD News
"For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost."
Luke 19:10 (NLT)
Let's connect...
From Oma's heart
to your table
Complete your set today - order now!
Hi, I'm Oma Gerhild! As a food writer and cookbook author, I'm always looking to find ways to pass on my German heritage using local ingredients. Quick and easy. That's my goal. Wunderbar food. That's the result.
What others are saying about Oma's cookbooks
As a German-American that is a bit culinarily challenged, this book is a true blessing...
This classic cookbook (German Meals at Oma's) has not only a variety of different recipes, but also key notes to help even those with little experience in the kitchen learn to make excellent German cuisine.
Erika Neumayer Ehrat, Owner & designer of Rare Dirndl
As seen in:
Across media platforms, Just Like Oma is celebrated for making German cooking simple, fast, and fun for everyone!
Copyright © | Quick German Recipes (Just like Oma) | All Rights Reserved
Powered by: Make Your Knowledge Sell!
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Quick German Recipes participates in various affiliate advertising to provide a means to earn advertising fees by linking to retail websites. This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites. I will not promote products I do not own or would not buy myself. My goal is to provide you with product information and my own personal opinions or ideas. At times, I will showcase services, programs, and products. I aim to highlight ones that you might find interesting, and if you buy future items from those companies, I may get a small share of the revenue from the sale. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Throughout my site, you'll find mostly photos that I've taken in my kitchen. I also feature some reader-contributed images and curated stock IMAGES BY Deposit Photos and others, offering further perspectives on recipes and all things German.
YOU SHOULD ALWAYS PERFORM DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE BUYING GOODS OR SERVICES ONLINE.
Quick-German-recipes.com does not sell any personal information
