Buying a Christmas Tree in Germany

This afternoon, we drove up towards the Feldberg Mountain in the Taunus to buy our Christmas tree.

Driving towards the Feldberg/Tausnus

There are various types to choose from, but we always get a Nordmann Tanne (Nordmann fir).

My better half does need some time to choose the perfect one. That is where we differ, but we have survived 32 years of that. The helper was quite patient with us, and held up various trees to compare. I did leave him with a tip though for all his patience and good humor. Told him it was not Trinkgeld (lit: drinking money = tip), but in regards to the current climate, it was meant as Heizungsgeld (lit: heating money).

This is our tree going into the funnel, this means getting wrapped for transportation.

Last trimmings to insure a safe transportation in our car. This Nordmann fir was €65, and this was the same price as last year. This is one of the few items which hasn’t gone up in price.

I would prefer a small potted tree which could be reused every year. A big cut tree like ours has to get tossed every year after 6 January when the tree pickup truck comes by.

Traditionally, most Germans put up their tree in the afternoon of Christmas Eve, and keep it until Three Kings Day, 6 Jan. Then we move it to the designated pick-up spot on the sidewalk. We toss ours from the 4th storey balcony, and in our case, the Hausmeister drags it to the designated spot then.

Snow on the Feldberg Taunus Mountain in March

Photo credits for this beautiful image go to Gregor Maier, who works at the Kultur und Geschichte des Hochtaunuskreises, and spends some of his free time exploring our local high lights for us couch potatoes.

The photo was taken on 14 March at the Feldberg Mountain.

Unfortunately, I had no chance to go up there myself at all this past winter, which was mostly due to blocked roads. Or some other excuse.

Reflections of my Service at U.S. Air Force Radio Relay Site on the Feldberg, Germany

It is always a pleasure to share photos and information with like-minded readers. One of them, Larry Tisch, contributed the following photos and some bits about his life near the Tech Control Center at the Feldberg, Taunus Mountains, in Germany.

“The first photo shows the entrance of the Tech Control Center, and the second one was taken inside. I was stationed there from February, 1969 through May, 1972.”

Tech Control Center Feldberg Germany
Men at Work at the Tech Control Center

“I loved it and had a great time. I also made many German friends.  They have been here to visit us, and we have been there to visit them several times.
When I first arrived I stayed at the Forsthaus Cafe until I found an apartment, which was on the upper floor of a private home in Arnoldshain. In 1969, the Mark was a quarter  ($1.00 = 4.06 DM) and a Bier was 50 Pfennig.”

Thanks, Larry!

Guest Houses near the Feldberg Radio Relay Station

For anyone having been stationed at the Kolbenberg in the Taunus, it might be interesting to revisit a couple of the guest houses – the way they used to be, even long before your time there.

These historical postcards are from my personal collection.

This Pension Tannenheim (Tannenheim Inn) is located in Sandplacken, part of Schmitten. The innkeeper at the time was A. Jäger.

On the back of the card, the guest house lists ‘running water’ as part of the amenities. It has no postmark, but based on the cars parked nearby, this might be from the 1940s/1950s.

Pension Tannenheim, Sandplacken, Schmitten

This postcard shows the Hotel Sandplacken, and the owner at that time was W. Heid. Again, no postmark, but this one also listed running water as well as central heating as one of the amenities.

Another view from the same hotel, and walking the Panoramaweg (Scenic Path) with views onto the Weiße Mauer (White Wall) and the Altkönig at 798m (2,618 ft).

The restaurant name was Wald-Restaurant (forest restaurant).

Buying a Christmas Tree from a Vendor near the Feldberg, Taunus

This past weekend, we drove up towards the Feldberg Mountain. Our usual vendor was closed, but there is always another one to choose from.

Heading towards the Feldberg, Taunus

I’m not picky about which tree to choose, but my husband is. I usually say yes to each one he picks up, as long as it isn’t so tall. Over the years, he has come down in size (the tree, that is), and our tree this year is ‘only’ 180-210cm (5’9″ – 6’9″) in height.

Christmas tree vendor near the Feldberg

The sign in the hut says, ‘Who cut one?’ indicating tree theft. We did not mention its other meaning in American slang. 🙂

Who cut one?

The vendor lady first approached me to offer assistance, but I pointed to my husband right away as the sole buyer.

Soon after, she was me telling about family feuds, tears, arguments, screaming, and whatever else might happen when families try to decide on a tree. She said, she had seen it all.

Here we are walking away with our 2020 Christmas tree.

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