Germany

= = Image source: Flags of the World. CIA: The World Factbook. Retrieved October 21, 2010, from [].

= __GERMANY __ =

//Christmas Traditions //
__ ﻿ __ The holiday season in Germany begins, for children at least, on December 6, which is St. Nicholas Day. On the evening before children will put a shoe out for St. Nicholas to fill. Good children get treats, while bad children get twigs. Families continue with their holiday preparations using Advent calendars right up to the culmination of the season on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The tradition of the Christmas tree is believed to have originated in Germany. On Christmas Eve, while the children are entertained in another room, parents will decorate the tree with ornaments, fruit, cookies, nuts and candies, before placing presents under the tree. One very unique tradition is that of the Christmas pickle. The last decoration placed on the tree is the pickle shaped ornament, and the child who locates this ornament gets a special present. Once everything is ready a bell is rung to call the children in. The family will sing carols, read Christmas stories, enjoy the treats and open presents.

More information on Christmas traditions in Germany can be found by visiting [|Holiday Tradition of Germany] or the Germany page on the Holiday Traditions section of The Museum of Science and Industry.

Image source: The St.Nick Bag. Christmas Pickle. Retrieved October 21, 2010, from [].

//Food //
Feasting on Christmas Eve is referred to as Dickbauch (or fat stomach) and includes many special treats. These include marzipan, gingerbread, //reisbrei// (rice porridge), and //lebkuchen// (spice bars), which are sold in bakeries like the one pictured below. Families will make them at home as well as other treats such as //kreppel//, which are jam doughnuts.

Image source: Widdowson, Amy. Lebkuchen in Nuremburg. Retrieved October 21, 2010, from  []. References California Mall. //Holiday Traditions of Germany Froehliche Weihnachten.// Retrieved October 20, 2010, from <span class="wiki_link_ext">[]. <span style="color: #008000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 80%;">Museum of Science and Industry: Holiday Traditions. //Germany.// Retrieved October 20, 2010, from <span class="wiki_link_ext">[].

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