Wondering what a Feuerzangenbowle is? Had several translations on offer from the internet, but as this is something purely German, translations offer little meaning. Well, it is a heavy drink, put together by mostly red wine and rum, and other little seasonings.

Try h2g2 website where you find a complete definition of this drink along with the recipe and much more.

Anyway, the city of Nuremberg has put up the biggest Feuerzangenbowle of the year. A special kettle had to be built to hold 9000 liters, 2,50 meters in width, 3,40 meters in height and it weighs 1,8 tons.

The Feuerzangenbowle can be viewed and tasted from 25 Nov 2011 until 01 Jan 2012. This drink, consumed from the time of advent until New Year’s Eve, is supposed to warm your heart and soul during the cold winter months.

To view photos, visit Frankenradar.

Before making my final trip to the supermarket this morning (most shops close at 2 p.m. today) to return some deposit bottles (Pfandflaschen) from last night’s birthday party, I took a photo of the ones called Weihnachtsbier.

Weihnachtsbier from Germany

Of course, it featured Santa on its label for a manly touch. I would have put an image of the Christkind on it. The beer itself was very good.

Next we picked up some items from the bakery, where Adventsbrot was featured.

Adventsbrot from Germany

I did not make it all the way to the meat counter in the back or I might have spotted some Heiligabend Wurst.

Facts:

In Germany, there are 1250 different kinds of beer, 300 different types of bread and 1450 types of cold cuts/sausages. This leaves a lot of room for branding.

By the way, 89% of the Germans like to spend Christmas Eve at home with the family.

At our annual Christmas party, sponsored by Frankfurt International School (FIS), I ran into Richard Winn, who is one of the English teachers. Not only does he teach English to the upper school students, but he also knows how to capture rare moments on camera.

I had to compliment once more on the stunning photo he had taken at the Ronneburg Castle. This photo made it into the New York Times photo gallery in 2009.

The castle opens its gates to the public for various events throughout the year. On such an occasion, Richard was able to observe and capture the life portrayed from the medieval times.

Ronneburg Castle in Germany

I quote the following from his entry at the New York Times gallery:

Castle Ronneburg, Hesse, Germany, Sep 12, 2009

This woman was dressed up in medieval clothing and working in the kitchen for a festival at the castle. The room was smoky from an open wood-fired stove, creating this otherworldly light. I was in a real –life Flemish painting. Vermeer could have been standing beside me, painting away. I just moved to Germany from Las Vegas, and am still very much in the honeymoon phase of exploring a new country.

You can browse more photos submitted by readers. from nytimes.com/why we travel.

 - Photo published with friendly permission by Richard Winn -

We Germans must be a confused Volk when it comes to Christmas-related traditions. I get asked the same questions by foreigners every year, because this is one German issue which lacks Ordnung.

Not only do we celebrate St. Nikolaus on 6 December, but also have the Weihnachtsmann (Santa)  bring presents to German children on Christmas Eve. Then, to top it off, most Germans I know have the Christkind (Christ child) in the form of an angel deliver the presents on Christmas Eve. This is due to regional differences.

In my hometown of Northern Bavaria, it was always the Christkind bringing presents. I have heard northern Germans often have the Weihnachtsmann do the same job. Here in Hesse (central Germany), one can overhear adults asking children after Christmas, “Was hat das Christkind dir denn gebracht?” (What did Christkind bring you?).

Well, we private citizens are not the only one confused.

Yesterday’s paper, Mix am Mittwoch, carried the article Post an den Nikolaus. Here I quote the text:

Kinder können auch in diesem Jahr wieder Briefe an den Nikolaus schreiben. Selbst Briefe, die unfrankiert im Postkasten laden, werden beantwortet. In speziellen Weihnachts-Postämtern arbeiten Ehrenamtliche in den Adventswochen und lesen und beantworten jeden Brief.

Transl: Again this year, children may send their letters to Nikolaus. Each letter, including the ones without postage, will be answered. There are special Christmas post offices, where volunteers read and answer every letter in the weeks of advent.

Nice gesture, I thought. But then I double-checked the paper’s issue date, 7. Dec. Then I had to reflect for two seconds to realize we have never sent letters to Nikolaus. We have sent ours to the Christkind!

My next thought was this could be another marketing ploy by stationary companies and the post-office combined, encouraging children to write two letters each Christmas season. But no, this announcement was made after Nikolaus day.

I am glad to report the German post-office has gone private in the 90s. Otherwise, I’d have to suggest to move the date for the great gift giving to Nikolaus Tag. If a public institution suggested this as the true date, such as in Miracle on 34th Street, then we would believe it, too.

The local supermarket still has quite a few advent calendars in stock.

Advent Calendar Milka Schokolade

Advent Calendar Kinderschokolade

Advent Calendar Asbach

This must be the Adventskalender‘s adult version as it is filled with Asbach (brandy). Children get to open each Türchen (little door) in the morning. Do adults do this too? Start of the day with a shot of chocolate-covered brandy!

Advent Calendar Eierlikör

These goodies by Verpoorten must be filled with Eierlikör (egg liqueur). Happy mornings everyone!

Advent Calendar Haribo

Frohe Adventszeit!