Did you know? Before Queen Victorias reign in 1837 people in Britain did not have Christmas trees, send Christmas cards or decorate their houses at Christmas time. Victorias husband, Albert, came from Germany. He brought these traditions with him.

Where do Christmas trees come from? Christmas trees first appeared in Germany during the Middle Ages. They were used in ‘miracle’ or ‘paradise’ plays during the spread of Christianity, and were often on set during the story of Adam and Eve. Because they were evergreen, they were said to symbolise immortality. Apples were hung on the tree to symbolise Adam’s sin, and wafers and cookies were hung as decorations to symbolise the fruits of redemption.

The German word for ‘Fir Tree’ is Tannenbaum but the word for ‘Christmas Tree’ is Weihnachtsbaum. Can you figure out the word for ‘tree’?

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter! Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit, Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit. O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter! O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree How loyal are your leaves/needles! You're green not only   in the summertime, No, also in winter when it snows. O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree How loyal are your leaves/needles! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlaRq509zKY&feature=related

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum. Du kannst mir sehr gefallen O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum! Du kannst mir sehr gefallen! Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut! O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum! Du kannst mir sehr gefallen! O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree You can please me very much! How often has not at Christmastime A tree like you given me such joy! O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree, You can please me very much!

Nikolaustag Modern Christmas celebrations in Germany begin on December 6th. This is Nikolaustag (St. Claus day). Children leave a shoe or boot outside the door on the night before and the next morning find presents (if you were good) or a stick (if you were bad)!

Christkind In parts of Germany, people believe that the Christ Child sends a messenger in Christmas Eve. He appears as an angel in a white robe and crown, bearing gifts. The angel is called Christkind. (There is also a Christmas Eve figure called Weihnachtsmann or Christmas Man, he looks like Santa Claus and also brings gifts.)

Das Adventkranz Households in Germany set out advent wreaths of Holly with four red candles in the center. They light one candle each Sunday and last on Christmas Eve.

Nuremberg Christmas market, Germany

German Christmas markets are world famous German Christmas markets are world famous. Each German town has a Christmas market for the run up to Christmas where traditional German festive foods and drink, decorations and presents can be bought. We have a Christmas market in Edinburgh. Have you been there? Have you seen any of these German traditional items there?