Wintertime has come to Germany, and like many other countries, this one celebrates the winter season in style. Some traditions have a more historical context, while others just exist for fun. While staying in Germany I have had the honor of experiencing some of these traditions.
Germany celebrates Christmas, known as Weinnachten in German. At the beginning of the month in December, Weinnachtmarkts pop up throughout Germany. From Düsseldorf to Hamburg, these markets come bursting to life, with each city often having its own wares and food stalls. Some feature unique activities, such as ice skating or sledding, even in areas that don't normally get snow. Traditional German bratwurst (sausage) and Glühwein (hot spiced wine) can be bought to complete the trip. Another winter holiday is Saint Nicholas Day, or Nikolaustag, which takes place on the 6th of December, with Saint Nicholas serving as the original inspiration for Santa. This was the holiday I celebrated with my family when we lived in Heidelberg. We would place our shoes out by the door in hopes of getting some treats or small toys in the morning, along with a nice cup of hot cocoa.
