Celebrating German Holidays and Customs: A Time for Family, Food, and Fun

Perhaps this is one of those new traditions you've never heard before. So let's start with what it actually means.

To someone who may not speak a lick of German, the word may look a little crazy. But when you break it down, what does the first part, "Kaffee" sound like? Yep, Coffee! Yum!

Translation: A social gathering for chit-chat over coffee

Kaffeeklatsch isn't full of common holiday traditions like Christmas time. It's more of a fun, sentimental time to catch up with old friends and family over a cappuccino! (Or whatever you're feeling like that day) :) It's nothing fancy! No need for preparation of big feasts and festivities. Simply pop a coffee pod or ground coffee in the coffee maker and talk away.

When it comes to German Christmas traditions, there's more to it than the Christmas tree and gifts. Of course, those are a part of the holiday season, and we'll talk about them too!

But this national holiday has some very interesting customs celebrated across the German states. Get ready for a wild ride of wacky customs.

We are coming in hot with the Christmas pickle tradition. Out of all the traditions, this one takes the cake for being one of the oddest. Going off the Christmas tree mentioned earlier, here's a new tradition to try out this year with the kids.

St. Nicholas, otherwise known as Nikolaus, the gift giver, has been a special part of kicking off the Christmas season. December 6th is the day that kids all around Germany wait for. The excitement bubbles up as they wait for Saint Nikolaus to come. But why?

The whole purpose of the day is to show how giving the holiday season can be. After all, Christmas is the time to give. Every year on the night of the 5th, children will leave a shoe or boot outside their door, and in the morning, they will be full of chocolates, clementines, and a small gift.

The Tag der Deutschen Einheit (I know, so easy to pronounce) is celebrated every year on October 3rd. This day marks the honoring and victory of Germany coming together as one, after being separated for so many years after the Second World War. A major part that led to this unity was the fall of the wall.

The Berlin Wall was built to divide Germany's western and eastern people, forming two states. It was a whopping 13 feet high and kept getting longer and stronger throughout its years of standing to divide the country's people.

You may be shocked to hear that Valentine's Day in Germany is certainly not as big a deal as it is in other spots around the globe.

The customs are similar, with cards and special notes, but more uncommonly, are the chocolates and flowers.

Since it hasn't been known for long, some older generations still haven't warmed up to it yet. It's definitely not as above and beyond in Germany, but it's still recognized as a day to celebrate those you love, and love trumps material things.

On the topic of love, All Saints' Day is a day to honor and celebrate the lives of deceased loved ones. Parts of Germany have celebrated this day for centuries. Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland are just a handful of Germany's widely Catholic states that celebrate. This day has been celebrated on November 1st since the year 609 AD! Wowza.

Out of respect to those honoring loved ones, banks, stores, cafés, and many other public shops close down for the day. People will gather flowers and candles to decorate the graves and take time to pray, remember and celebrate the time spent together. Perhaps one of the most beautiful of German holidays and customs.

Easter has been a long-time celebrated holiday. It's a blessed time to reflect and enjoy family time.

Easter in Germany is similar to the American-style Easter. Typically, a church service is held on Easter Sunday and egg hunts play out all day for the youngins.

Easter is such a fun holiday for the whole family. Families paint eggs together, hiding them around and scavenging about. But the best part? Chocolate! Waiting for the Easter bunny the night before is like children waiting on Christmas Eve for Santa. So much fun!