Holiday Traditions: Christmas with my little Kraut

Happy New Year everyone. Isn’t it funny how we all get in the Christmas mood (whether we like it or not) during the weeks before Christmas, often followed by a week of craziness with families, visits, dinners, and Christmas parties. And then right after New Year’s, we’re right back to our normal lives as if nothing ever happened. All the magic disappears, no more drinking Gluehwein and eating cookies, no more Christmas music. At least that’s how it was for me. We took down the few decorations we had put up right after Christmas so we could start on our kitchen remodel, I went back to work after taking the week between Christmas and New Year’s off, and we were right back in our daily routine. It’s strange how that happens, but I guess that’s exactly what makes the holidays so special. So even though no one seems to be talking about Christmas anymore, I want to share one last post on our holiday traditions and maybe get into the magical Christmas mood one last time until I hear Last Christmas on the radio again. 

Holiday Traditions: Christmas Ornaments

I want my Christmas tree to be full of memories and stories. So we came up with a nice little tradition of giving each other one new ornament for Christmas every year. There aren't really any rules for what it should be, but we try to tie it to something that happened that year. We started this tradition in 2010, the year we got married, so we don't really have a big collection yet, but I find it special to add two (now three) more ornaments each year.

Holiday Traditions: Weihnachtskrippe (Nativity Scene)

I don't consider myself a religious person, but I can appreciate some of the ideas and stories. I grew up without the believing aspect of religion, but the stories and traditions around it were always very present, especially during Christmas time. I have asked myself if it's OK for me to celebrate Christmas when I can't say I believe in God. And I decided that yes, I can. There’s more to it from my point of view than just celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Many of my own family traditions are so closely connected with Christmas and even when you take the religious part out of it, there are so many wonderful things to celebrate that I’m sure many Christians would also mention when asked what Christmas is all about: family, friends, peacefulness, love, music, food.