Heiligabend
Heiligabend is 24th December, known in English as Christmas Eve.
On this day most businesses and shops close around lunchtime and people start to prepare for the evening.
Many families still decorate their Christmas trees in the afternoon. Traditionally the children are not allowed in the room when this happens. Then the Christkind comes before the children return and brings the Christmas presents.
The main Christmas meal is eaten later in the evening with many families going to Church beforehand.
To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:
(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)
Download the MP3 file | Subscribe to the podcast
Comment in the forum
December 24th, 2007 at 12:08 am
In the podcast, Maria says the the “Weihnachtsmann” is a result of the influence of the media from abroad. I have since been told that the “Christkind” figure is mainly to be found in the southern half of Germany, and that the northern half do talk about the “Weihnachtsmann” instead.
So what role does the “Weihnachtsmann” have in German folklore? Which of them do you or your children believe in?
December 26th, 2007 at 12:07 am
[...] Unlike many English-speaking countries, presents are not exchanged on these days, as this happens on Heiligabend. [...]
December 26th, 2007 at 12:08 am
[...] « Heiligabend [...]
December 26th, 2007 at 12:32 am
[...] Unlike many English-speaking countries, presents are not exchanged on these days, as this happens on Heiligabend. [...]
September 12th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
[...] unser Zeitgefühl, denn die Leute haben dann das Gefühl es sind nur noch 3-4 Monate bis Heiligabend und nicht das Gefühl, dass es eigentlich noch lange hin ist. Aber es ist wahrscheinlich wie mit [...]
December 24th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
[...] Christkind is a figure in Germany that brings presents to the children on Christmas Eve, especially in southern parts of the [...]
December 24th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
[...] Christkind is a figure in Germany that brings presents to the children on Christmas Eve, especially in southern parts of the [...]