Christmas, that magical time of the year! The snow falling across the lawn, the old christmas music on the radio, and the candles burning 'o so bright on the Christmas trees. Wait. Did I say candles burning on the Christmas tree?!?!? I did indeed!
Candles! Something I have only heard about in christmas specials on TV!
It was the real deal. Of course it was a little dangerous, but I was told by my host parents that they have never EVER seen a Christmas tree (or Tannenbaum) spontaniously combust into a pillar of flames. It does not happen (apparently). Danger aside, a Deutsche Tannenbaum is an extremely relaxing and even spiritual image. The illumination of the candles flickering in the halflight of the room is almost hypnotic. The way the shadows move with the Candles is something that can never be captured by the traditional north american electric lights.
There were also electric lights, so that the candles were only burning in the evenings when the family was there, and the christmas tree is living, not plastic. I have been told there are also many families with plastic trees, but the traditional tree is living, almost exactly the same situation as the traditional Canadian christmas, both with plastic and living trees. But this year instead of going to a parking lot outside of a store that sells trees, I went with my host family to a 'Christmas tree forest', and we cut down three trees for each of the homes (my host aunt and uncle, and grandparents). It was a thrilling experience, because we first had to hunt for the best trees. So we all split up and started walking through this little forest, looking for a tree that isn't to small, but isn't too big (it was actually quite challenging). And when we finally found a tree we wanted, three people would stand next to it, one with a handsaw and two bracing the tree for when it comes free from the cut.
The German traditions are very similar to the traditions my family has in Canada. The season is all about family, and much of the holiday time was spent at the different houses of my extended host family. It was a great experience, and I enjoyed just sitting together inside while it was cold out, drinking tea and eating cookies (German Christmas cookies are great!).
A Change in the traditions is the actual day of Christmas. In Canada, we celebrate on the 25th of December, but in Germany it is one day earlier, on the 24th! And that is not all that is different; instead of opening presents as soon as you wake up in the morning, presents are instead opened in the evening, after going to the local church. My family and I were in the church in the evening, and we arrived home a little after it was dark. My host parents made my sister, my oma, and me wait outside in the hallway while 'DerWeihnachten Mann' was in the room, delivering presents. At the ring of a tiny hand ball, we were able to spring into the rooms, to find new presents and gifts tucked under the tree. We then started to take turns un wrapping presents and giving thanks, the typical christmas atmosphere all around. I had recieved a packet from home, and inside were treats and candies from Canada, and little personal objects to remind me of my family who sent the gifts... and of course CANADIAN MAPLE COOKIES!!!
I had a fantastic and wonderful Christmas in Germany, and I hope everyone enjoyed the season wherever they may be! And I hope one day you will be able to experience a German Weihnachten as wonderfully as I have!
