CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY

CHRISTMAS FIGURES IN GERMANY

Advent Wreaths Christmas.

Nutcracker

Christmas gifts

St. Nicholas

The Christmas tree

Christmas pyramid

Smokers

Authentic German Music Boxes

Candle Arches

 DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Advent Wreaths Christmas.
The advent wreath has four candles and Christmas decorations. The
four candles represent the four Sundays before the birth of Jesus. The
circle is a universal symbol for the continuous cycle of the seasons. The
circle is a universal symbol for the continuous cycle of the seasons, while
lighted candles signify the persistence of life in the middle of hard and
dark winter.
Nutcracker
Authentic German Christmas Nutcrackers. The Nutcracker was first
developed around 1870 and is nowadays one of the most famous
representatives of the Erzgebirge. Often the Nutcracker is the image of
authorities from the past. Especially kings, soldiers and gendarmes are
often used as a model
Christmas gifts

In Germany, gifts are not given by St. Nicholas on December 25 th. Gifts
are not given by the three wise men on January 6 th. Gifts are distributed
on Christmas Eve (am Heiligen Abend). Gifts are given by the Christkind.
St. Nicholas
In Germany, the sixth day of December is a very special day for children,
St. Nicholas is celebrated. Children put a shoe on the fireplace the night
before and they receive candy as a gift.
The Christmas tree
The Christmas tree should be natural. The Germans go into the woods in
search of a big, beautiful, leafy tree. They decorate the tree with
Christmas decorations.
Christmas pyramid
It is a kind of carousel with several levels, some depicting Christian
motifs such as angels or manger scenes, and others with more secular
motifs such as mountain-folk, forests, and other scenes from the
everyday life of people in the Erzgebirge. The spinning motion of the
pyramids is traditionally achieved with the help of candles whose rising
heat spins a propeller above.
Smokers
The first smoker was developed around 1850 in Heidelberg close to
Seiffen. At first dough served as material. Mostly figures of the everyday
life were used as motif. Nowadays also Santa Claus and other modern
motives are manufactured
Authentic German Music Boxes
The invention of the Music Box goes back to 18th Century. At first it was
a simple toy, which was turned by hand and sounded quite wooden.
Around 1930 the Music Box developed into what it is today. Inside is a
filigree mechanical play work and the detailed designs display angels,
the Holy Story, nativity scenes, scenes from everyday life and fairy tale
motifs
Candle Arches

The first predecessor of Candle Arches (Schwibbogen) was

manufactured 1726 from wrought iron. The German name Schwibbogen
refers to a type of arch constructed in gothic times when an arch
between two walls was called "Schwebebogen" (floating arch)

DECORATION OF OUR STAND

We think decorating the stand with a collage. Figures will be glued on the
collage. The images will be projected from a laptop too. Each image will
have a description.