Christmas Eve in Germany ― Date, History, and Details
Christmas Eve in Germany may be something you want to learn more about, and we want to help with that.
Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of Christmas Eve in Germany and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of Christmas Eve in Germany and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Christmas Eve is the evening before Christmas Day. It is celebrated in many countries around the world, including Germany.
On Christmas Eve, people usually attend church services and spend time with their families. Many people also stay up late to watch the midnight Mass on TV. In some parts of Germany, children leave their shoes out on December 24th in hope that St. Nicholas will fill them with sweets.
Christmas Eve is also a time for exchanging gifts. In many German families, presents are not opened until after the midnight Mass. This is because the day is considered to be more important than the material gifts.
After the church service and gift exchange, many families enjoy a festive meal. The most common dish is a type of roast pork called schweinebraten. Other popular dishes include potato salad, sauerkraut, and plum pudding.
At midnight, everyone gathers around the Christmas tree and sings Christmas carols. Then, they exchange kisses and wish each other a Merry Christmas.