https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Germany in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Once you can't hear the bells jingling, and the beautiful Christmas tree in your living room becomes a dry, dead hazard, it's time to dispose of it correctly. Here's how to do it in Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20231227/explained-how-to-dispose-of-your-christmas-tree-in-germany Wed, 27 Dec 2023 12:07:36 +0100 explained-how-to-dispose-of-your-christmas-tree-in-germany Around the world, modern-day Christmas is associated with a feeling of coziness, getting together with the family and gift giving. The roots of these customs can arguably be traced back to Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20181214/how-germany-invented-christmas-as-we-know-it Fri, 14 Dec 2018 18:06:12 +0100 how-germany-invented-christmas-as-we-know-it Hang a shining... pickle... on the highest bough? The Weihnachtsgurke, or Christmas Pickle, is supposedly a classic German tradition. But it may not be quite as traditional - or German - as you'd expect. https://www.thelocal.de/20191216/christmas-pickle-ornaments-german-tradition Mon, 16 Dec 2019 13:59:00 +0100 christmas-pickle-ornaments-german-tradition It might not be to everyone's taste, but the reasons many Germans sit down to a hearty meal of carp on Christmas Eve go far beyond simple questions of flavour. https://www.thelocal.de/20251216/why-do-germans-eat-carp-on-christmas-eve Tue, 16 Dec 2025 17:37:45 +0100 why-do-germans-eat-carp-on-christmas-eve 'Drei Hasselnüsse für Ashenbrödel' - or 'Three Wishes for Cinderella’ - is one of Germany's most beloved Christmas films. Here's how you can watch it this year. https://www.thelocal.de/20241223/three-wishes-for-cinderella-how-to-watch-germanys-favourite-christmas-movie Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:18:39 +0100 three-wishes-for-cinderella-how-to-watch-germanys-favourite-christmas-movie It may not be a white Christmas in most parts of Germany, but you'll still need to wrap up warm as the country is experiencing a cold snap. https://www.thelocal.de/20251224/germany-set-for-coldest-christmas-in-15-years Wed, 24 Dec 2025 12:07:24 +0100 germany-set-for-coldest-christmas-in-15-years Shopping in Germany on Christmas Eve can be marked by long queues and shops closed early as people get ready to celebrate the holidays. Where can you go to get last minute groceries on December 24th, or even on the 25th? https://www.thelocal.de/20251223/which-supermarkets-in-germany-will-be-open-on-christmas-eve-or-christmas-day Tue, 23 Dec 2025 17:10:33 +0100 which-supermarkets-in-germany-will-be-open-on-christmas-eve-or-christmas-day Visiting home in the festive period when you live abroad in Germany is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with family and friends. But it also brings with it some reverse culture shocks, writes Rachel Loxton. https://www.thelocal.de/20241224/nine-reverse-culture-shocks-of-visiting-home-from-germany-at-christmas Tue, 24 Dec 2024 10:44:49 +0100 nine-reverse-culture-shocks-of-visiting-home-from-germany-at-christmas The festive season in Germany brings a unique rhythm to daily life, with special rules for shopping, public holidays and business hours. Here’s what you need to know to plan ahead and avoid surprises. https://www.thelocal.de/20251219/whats-open-and-whats-closed-over-the-christmas-holidays-in-germany Fri, 19 Dec 2025 11:01:47 +0100 whats-open-and-whats-closed-over-the-christmas-holidays-in-germany Security has been tightened at German Christmas markets after recent deadly attacks. But if some online videos were to be believed, they've become barbed-wire fortresses guarded by armoured personnel carriers. https://www.thelocal.de/20251222/german-christmas-markets-hit-by-flood-of-fake-news Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:37:42 +0100 german-christmas-markets-hit-by-flood-of-fake-news Invited to a German Christmas dinner and don’t know what to expect? Forget about Turkey with cranberry sauce, say goodbye to mince pies and Christmas pudding and embrace these specialities. https://www.thelocal.de/20191220/16219 Fri, 20 Dec 2019 10:51:58 +0100 16219 Want to feel more festive while also improving your German? Writer Sarah Magill digs out some of the most beautiful (and fun) German-language Christmas carols. https://www.thelocal.de/20211220/five-christmas-songs-to-improve-your-german-language-skills Mon, 20 Dec 2021 17:32:51 +0100 five-christmas-songs-to-improve-your-german-language-skills Whether you're looking for a present to bring home to loved ones or you have a German to surprise, we've compiled some of the best gifts you can get in Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20251128/gift-guide-the-best-christmas-presents-to-buy-in-germany Fri, 28 Nov 2025 10:21:29 +0100 gift-guide-the-best-christmas-presents-to-buy-in-germany Numerous misleading videos have appeared on social media in Germany recently, with the apparent aim of reinforcing negative stereotypes against Muslims. https://www.thelocal.de/20251215/anti-muslim-misinformation-campaign-targets-germanys-christmas-markets Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:48:21 +0100 anti-muslim-misinformation-campaign-targets-germanys-christmas-markets If you're getting into German Christmas traditions this year, you may want to consider getting one of these for your home. https://www.thelocal.de/20251214/german-advent-word-of-the-day-kranz Sun, 14 Dec 2025 11:53:57 +0100 german-advent-word-of-the-day-kranz If you go to Christmas markets every year in Germany, the experience can start to feel a bit samey – but not at these festive events, all of which stand out for the unique twist each one has put on a holiday season classic. https://www.thelocal.de/20251209/seven-german-christmas-markets-with-a-unique-twist Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:45:17 +0100 seven-german-christmas-markets-with-a-unique-twist Thinking about getting a Christmas tree this year? Here's what to know about which type of tree to choose, how much you should expect to spend and how to decorate your 'Weihnachtsbaum' in true German style. https://www.thelocal.de/20251212/so-you-want-to-buy-a-christmas-tree-in-germany Fri, 12 Dec 2025 13:34:29 +0100 so-you-want-to-buy-a-christmas-tree-in-germany Criminals serving time for non-violent offences are sometimes granted 'Christmas amnesty' and released from prison early. Here's a look at the rules around this tradition of the German penal system. https://www.thelocal.de/20251211/why-some-prisoners-in-germany-are-released-early-for-christmas Thu, 11 Dec 2025 13:31:21 +0100 why-some-prisoners-in-germany-are-released-early-for-christmas Many people yearn for a white Christmas, but snow on the ground over the holiday season is becoming increasingly rare in Germany. What are the chances of it happening this year? https://www.thelocal.de/20251208/will-germany-see-a-white-christmas-this-year Mon, 08 Dec 2025 16:20:31 +0100 will-germany-see-a-white-christmas-this-year These dominos aren't meant to be played with, but rather enjoyed as a Christmas sweet. https://www.thelocal.de/20191203/german-advent-word-of-the-day-der-dominostein Tue, 03 Dec 2019 06:54:46 +0100 german-advent-word-of-the-day-der-dominostein