Christmas in Greece – Where Sea, Lights and Ancient Traditions Meet
From glowing Christmas boats and children’s carols to honey-soaked cookies, discover the traditions that make Greek Christmas special.
Entries by SantaClaus Veranstaltungsredaktion
St. Barbara’s Branches – A Little Springtime Miracle at Christmas
Outside, the air is cold, the days are short, and nature seems fast asleep. Yet on some windowsills, a small wonder unfolds during Advent: a bare branch begins to blossom. On December 4, St. Barbara’s Day, an old Central European custom calls for cutting branches from cherry trees or other early-flowering trees and shrubs. Placed […]
Waking the Christmas Figures – The Ore Mountains’ Männlwecken Tradition
Sometimes Christmas begins not with a celebration, but with the careful opening of a cardboard box. Wrapped in tissue paper is an old friend: a nutcracker that has stood in the same familiar spot for years. In Germany’s Ore Mountains, a beloved family ritual is known as Männlwecken—literally, “waking the little figures.” As Advent approaches, […]
St. Nicholas Day – Why Little Surprises Appear in Children’s Boots
On the evening of December 5, children in many German homes give their shoes an unusually thorough cleaning. Then they leave their boots by the door or window. By morning, they may find tangerines, nuts, gingerbread, and a small surprise inside. But who is the Nicholas everyone is waiting for? The tradition honors St. Nicholas […]