Weihnachtskrippe is the name given to a Nativity scene in Germany, often found in town centres during advent. It depicts the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

Many families have their own model Weihnachtskrippe at home. Some of these are self-made, others have been collected over a period of time with a new figure being added each year. Typically, these are also passed down through the generations.

Surprisingly, they were banned in churches at the end of the 18th Century.

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Spekulatius is a type of spiced biscuit that is eaten at Christmas in Germany.  As well as the normal form of the biscuit, there are variations made with almonds or with extra butter.  The form of the biscuits tells the story of St. Nicholas.

Because of the price of the spices involved, these biscuits were expensive to make until the 1950s, so they are considered to be somewhat exotic.  These days, however, they are readily available in most supermarkets.

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The word Dominostein is used to describe a small baked sweet that is eaten at Christmas time in Germany.  It is made up of two or three layers, the base being Lebkuchen, the middle fruit jelly, and the top layer marzipan or persipan.  This is then covered in a thin chocolate coating.

Dominosteine are a relatively recent invention.  They were created in Dresden in 1936 and were popular during the Second World War as a form of sweet due to the small amounts of ingredients needed to make them.

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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.

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Nußknacker are a decorative form of nut crackers. Although they are usually able to crack nuts using their mouths, they are normally used as Christmas ornaments. They have the form of a person, such as a soldier in uniform.

Originating from the area around the Ore mountains they can have around 60 moving parts!

The figures inspired the Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky.

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