Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.
– Oren Arnold –
Dec 4, 2011
Quote of the Day
Dec 19, 2010
Snowed under in Germany
Earlier this afternoon, we left for the Oberursel forest to buy a Christmas tree. Well, they were all sold out, just like snow shovels are right now.
We have lent ours out so many times and then one of the borrowers calls to ask if he could lend it to one of his friends… A snow shovel is the hottest commodity on the market right now. My husband was able to get the very last one from TOOM Baumarkt (home improvement center) back in early November. I had just told him about this post on a Korean website, which had stated Germany should get ready for the worst winter in 1000 years.
We passed the school on our way to the forest .
Frankfurt International School in Oberursel
Oberursel forest
Where did I park my car again?
More of this white stuff is expected through the night. Wonder if the Kuwaitis would be interested in buying some for their indoor ski slope..? We have enough to share.
Dec 30, 2009
Lametta
Lametta is a Christmas decoration found in German homes and in particular on Christmas trees. Similar to tinsel, it is hung over the branches to simulate icicles.
Originally it was made from a substance called “Stanniol”, which is Tin (Sn) flattened to make it into a foil.
To add weight to the Lametta, lead or even silver were added. Often this meant that it was used on New Year’s Eve for Bleigießen. However, modern Lametta is often made of plastic.
To hear a simple explanation and to find out what the number 90/10 has to do with Lametta, listen to the podcast:
(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)
Dec 24, 2009
Der Weihnachtsmann
The Weihnachtsmann has an unusual roll to play in German Christmas celebrations. In some parts of Germany, mainly in the North, he is said to bring the presents to the children on Christmas Eve. In much of Germany and especially in the South this is the job of the Christkind.
The confusion seems to have come about because of the different way that the protestant and catholic religions celebrated Christmas in the past.
The Weihnachtsmann is generally portrayed in a way that Father Christmas or Santa Claus is in other countries with a red and white gown and riding behind reindeer. Except that children do not leave out stockings for their presents – they do that with their boots for Nikolaus.
And whilst most films and even locally made television programmes will talk about the Weihnachtsmann, children are more usually asked “what did the Christkind bring you for Christmas”.
With the North/South divide making it easily possible for families to mix both traditions, adding a foreign element when other nationalities are involved just adds to the chaos!
To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:
(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)
Dec 23, 2009
Räucherkerzen
Räucherkerzen are candles that produce a scented smoke. Commonly found scents are incense, pine, cinnamon and honey.
Coming originally from the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) they are often used as part of Christmas decorations, such as Räuchermännchen.
To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:
(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)
