Christmas: customs and history

In short: Christmas, 24 to 26 December, commemorates the birth of Jesus in Christianity. Many customs are also popular among non-religious people.

In more detail: The festival combines Christian traditions with older winter customs.

In detail

• Advent: The four weeks before Christmas with Advent wreath and Advent calendar.
• Christmas tree: A custom that spread from the 16th century.
• Gift-giving: In Germany usually on Christmas Eve.
• St Nicholas: On 6 December, feast day of Saint Nicholas.
• Food: Goose, potato salad with sausages, biscuits, stollen.
• Christmas markets: Crafts, mulled wine and lights.
• International: Other countries celebrate on other days, for example Orthodox churches on 7 January (feiertage-in-deutschland).
• Sustainable: Choose gifts consciously (nachhaltig-einkaufen-und-konsumieren).