The most beautiful Christmas traditions for children

Christmas customs in Germany

In an international comparison, most German Christmas customs do not differ too much from those of other Christian countries. However, we have some special traditions. Here we explain what these are and how the Christmas traditions came about.

The Christmas bakery

Delicacies such as gingerbread, chocolate lice and speculoos are simply part of the most beautiful time of the year, and not just for children. How about spending a great afternoon baking cookies together? Of course, this includes making the delicious dough, cutting out fun shapes, baking in the oven (be careful with the hot baking tray!) and the highlight that follows: decorating the biscuits. For example with colorful icing, pearls, sugar sprinkles, nuts or chocolate icing – there are no limits to your imagination. Afterwards, the cookies can be stored in a pretty box, from which you can nibble throughout December.

Incidentally, baking cookies for Christmas began in the 19th century, when the tea culture of the British slowly spread to the continent.  Christmas baking is also one of the very special Christmas traditions for the little ones, as the scent of spices such as cinnamon, vanilla and coriander will not be forgotten even into adulthood!

Christmas customs in Advent

There are two main things that belong to the Advent season: the Advent wreath and the Advent calendar . The latter now exists in countless variations, but the homemade one is still particularly popular! For example, you can fill bags or gifts with all kinds of little things or sweets and then decorate the children’s room with them. But also calendars, behind the doors of which small pictures can be discovered, delight the little ones every day.

Incidentally, advent calendars originally looked very different than they do today. For example, pictures were hung up every day, chalk lines were drawn or straws were placed in a crib. At that time, advent calendars served as a counting aid for children to increase the anticipation of Christmas Eve.

Also indispensable among the Christmas customs to create a festive atmosphere is the weekly lighting of a candle on the Advent wreath. The anticipation and also the tension increases with each additional candle, not only among the children, because the adults cannot escape the magic of this time either. This tradition started around 150 years ago in northern Germany. In the orphanage of the Protestant pastor Johann Heinrich Wichern, he lit a candle for the children every December. When this tradition reached Hamburg, candles were no longer lit every day, but only on Sundays.

Santa’s wish list

In the 19th century, the custom of writing wish lists began more in wealthy households. At that time, children of rich parents were the only ones who could afford to express their wishes at all. Nowadays it is quite normal for children to write down and send their wishes to Santa Claus. By the way, in this article you will find the address of Santa Claus, so that your child’s letter also arrives safely at the right place 😉

Crafts for Christmas

The pre-Christmas period is the ideal opportunity for you to be creative with scissors, construction paper and glue. Great handicraft ideas and templates can be found e.g. B. in handicraft books or on the Internet. Whether you are making place cards for the party, window pictures or Christmas tree decorations – there are numerous ways to design angels, stars, snowmen and much more.

Christmas customs in other countries

Different countries, different customs: just like here, different traditions for the celebration of love have of course also developed in other countries. In Finland, for example, there is the “Joulupukki”, probably the most bizarre version of Santa Claus. A billy goat with a walking stick who, together with his wife Joulumuori, visits people’s homes on a reindeer sled. On Christmas Eve in Greece, children walk the streets with drums and bells and receive small gifts of money. In Russia, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th with a twelve-course meal, paying tribute to Father Frost instead of Santa Claus.

The time has come – December 24th is here!

After all the Christmas traditions, the long-awaited day has finally arrived. Now it can be a particularly nice experience for you and your family to decorate the Christmas tree together . Of course, there is nothing more delightful for your offspring than finally being able to unwrap the presents that Santa Claus or the Christ Child brought. Not only the content is important for your child, but also tearing open the packaging and puzzling over the surprise inside.