Surprising German Christmas Traditions You May Have Never Heard Of
The German Christmas Museum is located in the picturesque town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, right along Germany’s famous Romantic Road. In this blog post, we’ll take a virtual tour of the museum while diving into the fascinating traditions of German Christmas culture! 😊
- How Germans Decorate for Christmas
- The Evolution of Gift Bringers: St. Nicholas vs. Christkind vs. Santa Claus
- The Tradition of Advent: Counting Down to Christmas
- German Christmas Museum in Rothenburg o.d.T.
The German Christmas Museum showcases the history and traditions of Christmas through four themed exhibits. These sections guide visitors through the evolution of this beloved holiday, including:
- Christmas Trees and Decorations
- Gift Bringers
- The Erzgebirge Region (famous for handcrafted wooden items like nutcrackers)
- Advent Season
But that’s not all! I’ll also share some unique German Christmas traditions I’ve observed during my time living in Germany—things you won’t find in the museum. 😊
Let’s get started!
How Germans Decorate for Christmas
The Origins of the Christmas Tree
The first section of the museum delves into the history of Christmas trees and their various decorations.
Starting in the 16th century, people began using green branches to decorate their homes. Over time, this tradition evolved into the Christmas tree we know today. The decorations have also changed through the centuries—from apples, gingerbread, and paper flowers to intricate ornaments made of glass, cotton, and metal in the 19th century, which became symbols of family status and pride.
(Left) Early stands for holding Christmas trees;
(Right) Various styles of Christmas trees.
Culture Shock: Tossing Christmas Trees Out the Window
According to an informal survey, about 75% of Germans prefer to buy real Christmas trees to decorate their homes for the holidays. After the festivities, there’s a set time when garbage trucks come by to collect discarded Christmas trees.
One year, I witnessed something that completely stunned me: a neighbor in an apartment above us tossed their Christmas tree off the third-floor balcony straight onto the street! 😳 I wasn’t the only one shocked—another neighbor living on the ground floor ran out to the garden to check what had happened!
When I brought this up with my German friends, they shrugged it off and said, “That’s totally normal. Otherwise, the needles would make a mess everywhere… and you’d have to clean the apartment building’s common staircase.”
(Welp… in our case, that “someone” cleaning the stairs was me.)
Curious, I did some research online and learned that you could be fined if it damages property or injures someone. Honestly, though, a fine would be the least of your worries—what if someone got hurt?
The following year, after much deliberation and trying to avoid the infamous needle mess, we decided to follow our German neighbor. Carefully timing the toss when no one was passing by, we dropped our Christmas tree off our first-floor balcony. 😂
↓ Here’s a video I found online of other people tossing their Christmas trees out the balcony ↓
Culture Shock: Real Candles on a Real Christmas Tree?!
One year, I was invited to celebrate Christmas at a German household. The atmosphere was warm and festive, with the grandparents hosting their many grandchildren. It was a heartwarming experience—until I encountered a true culture shock.
Besides the mountain of gifts for the kids (seriously, it was overwhelming!), I noticed something that left me absolutely stunned: they lit real candles on their real Christmas tree!
While it looked magical and traditional, the fire hazard was all I could think about. Isn’t it super dangerous?
↓ Here’s a video I found online of others lighting real candles on Christmas trees ↓
Why Did Nutcrackers Become Christmas Decorations?
Another section of the museum showcases the handcrafted art from the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) region. During the 16th and 17th centuries, as the mining industry began to decline, miners and their families turned to crafting wooden items to supplement their income.
According to one exhibit panel, the success of nutcrackers was due to clever marketing, similar to the modern popularity of rubber ducks. By creating nutcrackers in various designs and characters, manufacturers ensured there was a style to resonate with every consumer.
During Christmas, when people baked more treats than usual, nutcrackers became both practical tools for cracking nuts and decorative items. This combination of utility and festive appeal quickly made them a holiday favorite.
The Traditional Craft of the Erzgebirge: Christmas Pyramids
As mining in the Erzgebirge region declined, miners turned to crafting handmade items after work to support their families. Among their creations, the multi-tiered Christmas pyramids and arched candleholders became iconic symbols of German Christmas traditions.
When the candles are lit, the rising heat causes the blades of the Christmas pyramid to spin, creating a mesmerizing and delicate display. These intricate handcrafted pieces truly showcase the artistry and ingenuity of the Erzgebirge craftsmen! 👏
Germans Hang Christmas Stars in Their Windows
While the German Christmas Museum doesn’t feature Christmas stars, as someone from Hong Kong, I’ve always found it fascinating and heartwarming to see how German homes light up their windows with beautiful Christmas stars of different shapes and colors. It’s such a simple yet magical tradition!
You may also notice German neighbors hanging the Moravian star (Herrnhuter Stern) in their gardens.
The Star of Bethlehem & the Story of the Wise Men
According to the Christmas story, several wise men from the East noticed an exceptionally bright and unique star. They interpreted it as a sign of the birth of the King of the Jews and began a long journey to find Him, bringing precious gifts.
Guided by the star, the wise men arrived in Bethlehem, where it stopped over the place where the child was. Filled with joy, they entered the house, saw Mary with baby Jesus, and bowed down to worship Him. They presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh—symbols of honor and reverence.
Interestingly, the wise men were likely not Jewish, as Mosaic law forbade astrology, which they practiced. Scholars believe they may have been high-ranking priests from the ancient Persian Empire. This story is deeply moving because it highlights the universal reach of the Christmas message: God’s love and salvation extend to all people, regardless of their background or beliefs.
The Evolution of Gift Bringers: St. Nicholas vs. Christkind vs. Santa Claus
The second section of the German Christmas Museum explores the various “gift bringers” of Christmas, including St. Nicholas (St. Nikolaus), Christkind, and Santa Claus. It also highlights how different regional customs shape children’s excitement and expectations for the holiday.
Celebrating Christmas as Early as December 6? St. Nicholas Day (St. Nikolaus Tag)
St. Nicholas (Nikolaus von Myra) was a real historical figure from the 4th century, known for his saintly deeds. His feast day is celebrated on December 6.
One well-known story about St. Nicholas involves his generosity toward a poor father who was so destitute that he planned to sell his three daughters into prostitution, likely as a last resort to survive. Nicholas, who was not yet a bishop at the time, learned of this and secretly tossed gold into the windows of the daughters’ room on three consecutive nights. On the third night, the father discovered Nicholas and thanked him.
Today, this tradition continues in Germany in a child-friendly way. On the night of December 5, children polish their boots and place them outside their doors. According to legend, St. Nicholas visits during the night to leave candy in the clean boots of well-behaved children.
On the morning of December 6, German kids wake up excited to see what surprises St. Nicholas has left for them!
↓ Many German neighbors also give out chocolate figurines of St. Nicholas to children on this day.↓
In our first few years living in Germany, we didn’t realize that December 6 was St. Nicholas Day. We were puzzled as to why Christmas-themed chocolates were already being placed at doorsteps so early in December. It wasn’t until our child started school that we began to notice and appreciate this charming German tradition—and for that, we’re truly grateful to our former neighbors.
One memorable morning on December 6, our child woke up to find a Christmas storybook and small gifts waiting at the door. Thank you, St. Nicholas (a.k.a. our thoughtful neighbor)! Haha! 😊
Knecht Ruprecht: The Punisher of Naughty Kids
The museum features an exhibit about St. Nicholas’s rather ominous companion—Knecht Ruprecht.
German fairy tales sure have a dark side 😅
While St. Nicholas hands out candy and gifts to well-behaved children, Knecht Ruprecht delivers lumps of coal and sticks to those who’ve been naughty.
Honestly, what did I just see? Haha! It’s both hilarious and absolutely hideous! 😂
Christkind/Christkindl: Is the Christ Child Actually a Girl?
If you visit German Christmas markets, you might come across a Christkind (or Christkindl)—often portrayed by a young girl dressed as an angel.
In Catholic tradition, it’s common to pray to saints. However, during the Reformation about 500 years ago, Martin Luther criticized this practice, arguing that people should worship God, not saints.
This posed a challenge for the popular tradition of St. Nicholas Day on December 6, when children eagerly awaited St. Nicholas to bring gifts. What was to become of this cherished custom?
Martin Luther proposed a return to the original meaning of Christmas: celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, the ultimate gift to humanity. He suggested that instead of December 6, gifts should be given on Christmas Eve, teaching children about the story of Christ’s incarnation.
Since Jesus had already ascended to heaven, He couldn’t be represented in physical form, and the Holy Spirit has no form or gender. Over time, people began associating the Christ Child with an angelic figure. Eventually—somehow—the Christkind evolved into being portrayed as a girl dressed in a flowing robe and crowned with gold. (Well… that’s quite a leap, isn’t it?) 😅
Is Santa Claus a Real Person?
Santa Claus, as we know him today, originated in the 19th century as a fictional character inspired by St. Nicholas. The concept of Santa first appeared in the United States.
As Christmas became increasingly commercialized, Santa Claus gradually replaced St. Nicholas and the Christkind in popularity. Some say Santa’s rise to fame was helped by catchy Christmas songs, while others believe it was a Coca-Cola advertisement that catapulted him into global recognition, making this fictional figure a household name.
The Tradition of Advent: Counting Down to Christmas
The final section of the German Christmas museum showcases the traditions of Advent, which begins four weeks before Christmas. This special season is marked by worship services and rituals that symbolize preparation for the arrival of the Savior.
Interestingly, the items on display in this section were a bit old and, frankly, not the most visually appealing. To my surprise, I realized after leaving the museum that I hadn’t taken a single photo of this exhibit! 😅
What Is an Advent Calendar (Adventskalender)?
The Advent calendar, or Adventskalender, is a cherished tradition in Germany. It’s usually a gift box with 24 little doors (Türchen in German), each hiding a small surprise—often candy or chocolate. Some German families even get creative and DIY their own Advent calendars!
Starting from December 1, you open one little door each day. By the time all 24 doors are opened, Christmas Day has finally arrived!
These days, Advent calendars come in all sorts of fun and unique themes. You can find ones filled with books, candles, coffee beans, tea bags, riddles, perfumes, cigarettes (yes, really!), and just about anything you can imagine.
↓ Some of the Advent calendars I bought a few years ago ↓
I find German winters to be dark and cold, but treating myself to an Advent calendar makes it a little brighter! Opening a small gift every day brings a bit of joy and excitement—definitely a lovely way to lift the winter gloom! 😊
Advent Wreath (Adventskranz)
The Advent wreath, or Adventskranz in German, is a Christian tradition that originated in Germany.
In the four weeks leading up to Christmas, one candle is lit each Sunday, symbolizing spiritual preparation for the arrival of Christmas.
↓ This year, Kitty DIY-ed her own Advent Wreath ↓
You can find the materials at local German gardening stores, Bauhaus, or even Tedi! A hot glue gun works perfectly for attaching the decorations. 😊
German Christmas Museum in Rothenburg o.d.T.
Review of German Christmas Museum: Is It Worth Visiting?
The German Christmas Museum does a good job preserving the historical and cultural value of Germany’s Christmas traditions. However, I have to say it felt a bit underwhelming—like walking through a collection of not-so-polished secondhand items. Plus, given how stunning Rothenburg itself is, the museum doesn’t quite feel like a must-see (and the ticket price reflects that).
That said, if you have extra time or are particularly interested in history and culture, it’s still worth a quick visit. Budget around 15-20 minutes to explore the museum. 😊
Entry prices
| Adults | 5 € per person |
| Reduced price (Pensioners, students, disabled people) | 4 € per person |
| Children (6 – 11 years old) | 2 € per person |
| Family ticket (2 adults with children under 14 years old) | 11 € per family |
| Group ticket (Groups of more than 20 people) | 3.5 € per person |
Opening Hours
The German Christmas Museum is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, and it basically operates year-round without any regular closures.
However, on special days such as Christmas Eve, the museum may close earlier. It’s always a good idea to double-check the official website when planning your visit.
Where is the German Christmas Museum?
The museum is located in the picturesque town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, along Germany’s famous Romantic Road.
Address: Herrngasse 1, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
(The museum is inside the souvenir shop Käthe Wohlfahrt – Weihnachtsdorf, also known as the “Christmas Village.”)
Note: The museum does not have accessibility features, so visitors using wheelchairs or strollers should plan accordingly.
If you found this article helpful, feel free to subscribe to my email newsletter or follow me on Instagram.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas! Fröhliche Weihnachten! 🎄✨
Read More:
Rothenburg Travel Guide: Must-See Sights & Unique Souvenirs
Ultimate Guide To Frankfurt Christmas Markets 2024 with Travel Tips
First Time Traveling to Germany? 10 Essential Tips You Need!
You May Also Like
