Weihnachtszeit Deutschland

Pfefferkuchenhaus!!!

     Weihnachten (Christmas) in Germany is a very special time, that's something that I've decided.  There's a whole different feel in the house.  Not really so much about how the members of the family act to each other, just.... I dunno, it's just different!!!  In a good way, that is.

On the way to pick up our tree

     In the weeks before Christmas, there are multiple Weihnachtsmaerkte (Christmas markets) all over.  Here, I went to the one in Hannover several times.  It is very convenient, I think; if I wanted to get together with someone, but didn't know what to do, I'd just suggest we go to the Weihnachtsmarkt and walk around, maybe savor some Schmalzkuchen, a Christmas specialty!
     This Christmas season has been very special in my family.  We went on Friday, the 23rd to pick up our Weihnachtsbaum from a neighbor's farm.  Since it's not that far away, we took a little wagon and just piled the tree on that.  The whole family went along.

The decorated tree (notice on the table at the right, the little
wood thing? That's a Pyramide, a traditional Christmas
decoration.  Just thought I'd say)

     On the 24th, the kitchen/living/diningroom was off-limits for us kids.  Mama and Papa set up everything for that evening.  So, we got to eat breakfast and lunch in the entranceway on a small table.  Larger than a card table, but definately smaller than our normal one.  About 2 pm Mathilde was in a Krippenspiel (Christmas pageant), and we all went to church for that.  At 5 was the traditional service.  Well, the one that the family traditionally goes to.  And, at 10 pm I played clarinet accompaniment to the songs.  And I played "Silent Night" and "The First Noel" as prelude and filler in the middle.  It must have been pretty good, cuz the people all clapped as soon as I finished each piece.  And afterwards I got a lot of compliments about it!  Frau Kretz, the organist who played, asked if I would be willing to play some other time, at normal services.  I said that of course I would do that!  Playing clarinet is always such a pleasure, and playing in church is a great way for me to use my talents to praise God.

Finally the tree is at home

     Between the 5 o'clock and 10 o'clock services we opened presents and ate supper (Hawaii Toast, another tradition in my family).  The gift exchange took a long time, but was interesting.  Every family has a different way they do that, I guess.  Here each person gave out all their gifts, one at a time. And everyone watches the one person open thier gift, and then the next person had their turn... Until all the presents were unwrapped.
     On the 25th we had the classic dinner with Ente, Kloese, Rotkohl, and Kartoffeln.  It was delicious!  Although we ate at 4 pm, I wasn't hungry until 12:30 that night when I got back from a party.  The party was fun--I went with Max and Konstantin.  There were a lot of people there, but I only knew about 15 or 20.
     Today I baked cookies with a neighbor and hung out around home with my family.  It's a strange feeling, saying the second half of that sentence....  But with each day it gets a bit easier.  Earlier in December I went through a homesick phase, but now that's over.  I am sincerely enjoying my time here!!!  I'm excited to see what the new year will bring for me.  After this Christmas, it is a whole lot easier for me to feel at home here.
     So, I'll wish you all a very Merry Christmas (even if it's late, you know) and a wonderful New Year!  Froehliche Weihnachten und Glueckwuensche in dem kommenden Jahr!!!!