German Christmas Traditions

Because German has a rich Roman Catholic and Protestant tradition, one of the most important holidays in Germany is Christmas, which is known as Weihnachten. The German people have many longstanding traditions associated with the holiday, from putting up a Christmas tree to the distribution of presents on Christmas Day. Many of these  German Christmas traditions may seem familiar to those of Western cultures, but the Germans have put their own personal spin on Christmas, making their yearly practices distinctly and uniquely German. Someone from another culture can learn a great deal about what the German people value by studying German Christmas traditions.

The Christmas celebration begins on December 24, when German Christians put up their Christmas trees. The day before Christmas, known as Heiligabend, or “holy eve,” is meant to be a time of togetherness with one’s immediate family. Many German families buy their trees from special outlets, but it is also common to see a family fetch trees from the forest by hand. German families typically enjoy smaller, more intimate meals with their immediate families on Christmas Eve, and congregate for large feasts with their extended families on the 25th and 26th of December, which are known as the first and second days of Christmas, respectively. These German Christmas traditions are meant to bring families closer together and generate feelings of togetherness and unity.


On Christmas morning, many families typically go to mass. In Germany, the Christmas mass is usually an abridged form of the normal mass that features a nativity play, or Krippenspiel. One of the adults will typically stay behind during the mass in order to prepare the tree for the Bescherung, the time when gifts are exchanged. Setting the atmosphere for the gift exchange by switching on the Christmas lights and playing Christmas music, the adults prepare the tree and the presents for their children. Once the mass has ended, the rest of the family returns home to find the living room locked. According to legend, the Christ Child, or Christkind, not Santa Claus, brings presents for little German children. After a bell tolls, signaling that the baby Jesus is done placing the gifts, the parents allow their happy children to enter the locked room in order to open their gifts. These German Christmas traditions are meant to entertain the children and inspire a sense of wonder.


Many families will give their children plates or colorful bags of chocolate or candied fruits. Much like in other nations, the adults will exchange presents while the children play with their toys. Germans will also sing traditional Christmas carols, accompanying themselves on guitars or flutes.


German Christmas trees are typically decorated with chocolate and candies, which can be eaten on January 6th, when it is permitted to “plunder” the tree on the day of the Epiphany. As in other Christian nations, German Christmas traditions have become an important part of celebrating the holiday.