Many years ago, when I was in my mid-20s, I was on a winter holiday in Switzerland with some friends in a small village. One day I passed a school a little too fast and was stopped by the police. The policewoman threatened me that the next time she sees me, it won't be a warning. On Krampus Day, it was already dark, we watched the procession. All of a sudden, a creepy demon rushed towards me and constantly hit me on my butt with the whip and chased me through the village to the amusement of my friends. Later it turned out to be the policewoman who had stopped me 2 days before and was in this traditional club.
Krampus reminds me a lot of our Swabian-Alemannic carnival, but some guilds are also more lovely. Both are usually said to drive away evil spirits and the harsh winter. On the Sunday after Shrovetide, winter is officially burned in a big fire - Spark Sunday.
Yeah, Krampus is a southern Germany thing, Bavaria, Swabia and maybe Thuringia. In the rest of Germany, Krampus is mostly unknown. We do know of an assistant to St. Nicolaus, who is called "Knecht Ruprecht". He's mostly known for the rod he carries to punish all the kids who didn't behave well in the year past. And as far as I can remember, it was all about that rod, to the point where this rod isn't even carried by Knecht Ruprecht, but by St. Nicolaus himself.
Traditionally in Germany the Christmas tree is put up and decorated on December 23rd. The Christmas tree is dismantled on January 6th (Epiphany).On the following days, garbage trucks drive through the streets in many communities and remove the Christmas trees that have been put up.
Where I come from (southern Bavaria, at the Austrian border) the Christmas tree was kept from Dec 24th until Feb 2nd, that day in the catholic calendar is called "Mariä Lichtmess" and only then the tree was taken down.
Fun fact: In Frankfurt, the Christmas trees are collected and donated to the local Zoo to feed the elephants. No idea why, but apparently they‘re loving it. Not all trees of course, even elephants aren‘t that hungry!
I grew up in Munich. The tree was decorated on X-mas eve, and at a certain point mom rang a little bell, and we could come in. We usually had really tall trees, with real candles burning on them. After singing a few songs in front of the tree, we were allowed to open the presents, as is the tradition in Germany. For me and my sis it was really special evening every year. The tree stayed until New Year's Day.
The last four Sundays mark the Adventszeit with all the Chrismas market and so on. Feel free to decorate your tree (under strong eyes of your cat=landlord). As Christmas appears here on 24th evening/afternoon: in my childhood -45 years ago- children were not allowed to enter living room where after lunch the tree was decorated. So the tree is highly combined with 24th. The old rule was to keep the tree until Jan 6th, holiday of the 3 kings. Now rules are more weak handled and you're not judged for breaking them LOL and keep the tree 1-2 weeks more. Btw: A lot of trees come from Scandanavia, but we have a lot of Chrismas tree farms also quite outside Munich and everywhere else. The trend to have a plastic tree was a short trend and we returned to a natural one maybe 30 years ago. Leberkäs(-semmel): Please out yourself: sweet mustard or spicy mustard or none or one time this, next time that. As a local you enjoyed the Leberkäse though other Americans find it mostly weird not knowing how to categorize it. The 495 EUR tool: Maybe mostly handmade and good quality, and Munich has some people who want to afford this 🙂 Beware of Austrian Krampus which might not that nice 🙂. It's one of that tradition this region had before Christus and is now combined a bit with catholic St. Nikolaus (Dec 6th) As you pointed out: We always try do something for having extra fun and extra good food .. now it's called Adventszeit 🙂 Outlook: Guten Rutsch means have a nice slide into year 2024. One thesis is that it's a translation out of Jewish and means: have a good starting into the new year. So have a nice Advent and Merry Chrisma and a Guten Rutsch though I'm hoping for 10 more videos this year 🙂
Thank you for the insight! Yes, Cali oversees all work in (her) house 😆. It was spicy mustard, although I didn't get an option of spicy or sweet mustard (although asked if I wanted ketchup, which I declined). I did also end up getting a Lebkuchen, which I think is special for Christmas, but I didn't film it. Glad you enjoyed watching, have a wonderful Advent, Christmas and New Years :)
@@MattSuozzo now you know about Chrismas tree.... Lebkuchen and all the stuff pop up in the hot days end of August inside all grocery shops LOL ..however: tasting good and worth to eat it. A lot of people try to avoid to eat too much of this stuff before Adventszeit. For Leberkäse I'm part of the sweat mustard fraction LOL, but for Wiener sausages for the spicy one.
Much similarity in my family when my Grand-Grandparents were still alive.. At 24th, after the meal mid of the day, the living room got closed and locked and my parents decorated the tree. Then, exactly at 6.00 PM one of the adults was ringing a little bell which was only used for this occasion and we could enter the room. There was always one window open and got closed when we entered and my grand-grandma said "The "Christkind" just flew out there after delivering the presents. Then we unpacked the presents and after this it gave a second, bigger meal.
I never know if what I see here in Munich is typical anywhere else in Bavaria. I feel like they must have something similar in the Nordics, but I'm not sure. Thanks for the info :)
2:13 nope it obviously depends where you are in Europe - Europe is culturally very diverse, there are huge differences even within the country, culture is strongly a regional thing, like 50 miles max around your home, one needs to understand that. My grannie was Italian that is why we put up the Christmastree on 8th of December, a family with children often set up the tree in the living room and does a big reveal at 24th eve, in order to make that possible the tree is set up very short before as they have to declare the living room as a no go area for the kids until the 24th eve and it last until the 6th or until the 2nd of February. I personally will take down the xmas lighting outside my house at the 6th, the tree i side will last until the 2nd of Feb. 7:12 Perchtenlauf is a thing in the Northern Alps in Austria, in Switzerland and it reaches up to Southern Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, but not to Northern German, it is like Spain vs Catalunia, just accept that culture is regional, talk about it, say that is what you are experiencing, but pls avoid generalisations, like in 'Germany'. That may work in other countries, but mostly nowhere in Europe
Thanks for this comment. When I saw the video title I thought "Guess I'm not german anymore". :D I'm from North Germany. Our christmas traditions are different. I don't know if this is a thing in South Germany, but it is common to avoid washing clothes and hang them to dry between the 25th december and 6st january because the "Wilde Jagd" runs wild outside. ;)
Traditionally in Germany the Christmas Season starts the day after Eternity Sunday. Trees are usually put up and decorated on Christmas Eve and depending on the region and religious background they are taken down either after Three King's Day or the day after the Purification of the Virgin Mary on the 2nd of February.
Thank you for sharing. This makes sense as I have seen variability in the dates depending on where people are from. It also seems like more people celebrate on the eve, what we would do on Christmas Day like a big family meal, presents, etc.
@@MattSuozzo You're welcome. And yes, Heilig Abend or Christmas Eve, is the focal point during the holidays. In most families there's a small meal with the family - traditionally it's Wiener Würstchen with Erdäpfelsalat, Carp or cold cuts - and then after 18h00 it's time for the Christkind to deliver the presents, after that it's usually a booze fest with midnight mass - for those still able to stand or not been arrested by the police for the usual arguments - at obviously midnight. Christmas Day and Saint Stephens Day are for family and friends, with lavish meals, the occasional threat of divorce, and obviously more booze to survive this insanity.
@@MattSuozzo my German husband says Krampus is basically Austrian but also Bavarian. We don’t have it here in Rheinland Pfalz so thanks for showing the rest of Germany, the costumes look incredible!
Just came back yesterday from Cologne and spent 4 days there visiting Bonn and Aachen Christmas market just beautiful! Been to Munich too for the Christmas market years ago and it’s beautiful too !
Is it the same up in Cologne where the market seems to take over the whole city? I love exploring the markets, I just found a map for the ones in Munich and I've only scratched the surface 😅
@@MattSuozzo Yes ! and there’s a lot of Christmas markets and walkable too .There’s a Christmas market express that will take you to the markets you can get it right in front of the cathedral.It’s like a hop,on hop off bus lol
Those little processions they have in Munich - my hometown - are nothing compared to what happens in many Austrian villages. Once as a child I was visiting my dad's village - he was born in a small Austrian village - during Krampuslauf and it was... traumatizing. Me and my friend, both 8 years old then, were just waiting in the car when the Krampuses spotted us and started whipping the car and rocking it until we were sufficiently in a panic and they moved on. My friend's mom got a few whips to her legs that left her with red marks for a few hours. XD
Christmas trees are not always but often from germany and even quite regional, espcially those of medium size, as they are very easy to grow and a disproportional hassle to transport
@@MattSuozzo that's probably where the rest is from, and maybe those from some chain-hardware stores. The Giant (15m+) ones are often from Russia or Finland.
@@MattSuozzo Oh, here comes another candle. Hmmm I think the size is more suitable for a tea light. At least I think there are variants where you put tea lights in and some where you can't do that. I don't know if you generally do that in this variant. But it usually works, I've seen it a few times. My parents have little ceramic houses for Christmas that also have a tea light in them. You can't see how it turns black from the inside. But Krampus is also known throughout Germany, but as far as I know there are no such Krampus runs here in northern Germany. St Nicholas is more likely to be represented there.
Hi Matt, yes, drinking beer in public on the street is allowed but for most the people it doesnt look very well. Reminds to alcoholics and you wouldnt like to be seen like this. Informe yourself about the tradition called Krampus. You will find this in the bavarian mainly mountain area, as well as in Austria and also in the black forrest area mostly during the so called Fastnacht(similar to Karneval in the river Rhine area). Early in spring happens. In Austrai they are called Perchten and in smaller villages they go from house to house and they are not always friendly. Ohhh, what a pretty velvet pawn. CU
Regarding to your argument about our christmastree. No, we defnetly don't have him for just a day. We decorate close before christmas, und in some familys they sort him out in January 6th. In our family we keep him until the end of January. But before Christmas we've the adventstime. Four weeks before christmas on each sunday we light a candle. Advent means preparing time. Preparing for christmas. Well crampus.......I think that's just a Bavarian think. Quit new to me. And I wouldn't pick it up for me. All the best to you
From the comments I am getting, it seems very regional about timing for the Christmas tree. And also Krampus! A lot of people I have talked to have never heard of it, from what I can tell it's origins are Swabian. But a lot of culture in this region is blended (Austrian, Bavarian, Swiss, etc.). All the best to you as well :)
@@MattSuozzoThat also depends. When I was young, my brother and I weren't. But nowadays a lot of children are involved. Imo, this has a lot to do with different apartement/house layout and also with zeitgeist. Kids are not fooled as easily as we were sixty-something years ago. I'm not sure what I prefer.
In my family, at least the Italian side, we helped decorate the tree (and the cats helped undecorate it). We also got to help pick out the tree, bring it home, etc. it was a nice tradition with many happy memories. Interesting to see the traditions here, how they vary by region and family to family. Thank you for sharing :)
They did an incredible job with the costumes. Not sure if this comes across in the video but there are loud bells that all the Krampus are wearing, adding to the experience. Also everyone is pushing to the front of the crowd and the Police are pushing people back, it was crazy! Kids seemed to be having fun but I about 15 min was enough for me 😆
this christmas pyramid for over 400 Euro is surely handmade. And such a pyramid is designed for generations....the "main" pyramid in our family is nearly 80 years old, had some little burnings points, but looks great and brings joy to all family members. You can get cheaper ones ....but i´m not sure, it will hold so long
That sounds like a wonderful tradition and something you can pass down to future generations. Is there a special day you light the candles or anytime through Advent/Christmas?
A Christmas tree once was a living thing and is now dead. And as with all dead things, they start to decay. You wouldn't buy flowers for your mom weeks in advance, would you ? So, why would you get a Christmas tree weeks in advance ? It's best to get it as fresh as possible. The only reason for not getting it just at the very last moment is there won't be any left to choose from. And it's best to unpack them in room temperature at least 12h ahead, so all the branches could relax and lower down. Is that tree just for one day ? For my family absolutely not. The tree will stay well into the new year. Maybe it will make it even just into Febuary. Depends on when the garbage collection company will have their final day for collecting old Christmas trees. So, rule is: get that tree as fresh as possible, and keep it as long as its convenient.
I think in the US, we have so few holidays, that we are all keyed up and ready for Christmas, so as soon as Thanksgiving is over we go nuts. Usually by Christmas day, the tree is pretty dry (even if you put it in water). Glad you get to enjoy the tree for a while :)
That's what my family does too. The tree gets brought a couple of days before Christmas Eve and will be stored in the garden until noon or afternoon of Christmas Eve. Decorating it and preparing the living room will take 2-3 hours plus 1 to 1.5 hours for preparing the Christmas meal. Children and grandparents aren't supposed to see any of those preparations. They're going for a walk in the countryside or visit a Christmas market. Sometimes they're attending a mass for children in a church. After returning they're still not allowed to take a glance. Usually they go watching TV or playing a game. After it's gone dark outside, around 6 - 7 PM a table bell will be rung calling everyone to the Christmas tree which will be lit with candles, electric ones now, but we did that with real ones burning too some time ago (with a bucket full of water within reach). It's always a magical moment when entering the living room seeing the completely decorated tree with its candles being the only sources of light then. We're singing a couple of Christmas songs together accompanied on an old piano.
This is how todays *"Wichteln"* tradition is all about,.. gift smt small, to smo you do not know and he does not know from who it came from. Mostly done by kids today. > So oooold is this *germanic* tradition, still given to next generation over and over,..just the root of it,...was made forgotten,..so the church was *later* ok with it. *The Elderbusch* is also called in german as *"der" Holler* directly. So we have *Der Holler* & *Die Holler* > The Bush, Holy place of Holle/Frigg(a) & > The earths-pirits //////// Laying down evergreen on local places and in front of entrances,.. *that is a germanic tradition* starting with: >> *The Rauhe-Nächte* - _"Rough Nights"_ > In the Rauhe-Nächte, *Odin & Frau Holle/Frigg(a)* opend the gates between their empire this one here, and lead on the *"Wildhunt"* - Wilde Jagd !! >> While this nights, strong winds are all over. If the wind gets stronger it was said "the wild hunt must be close by!" >> There is *still the tradition* to NOT hang out *washed cloths outside.* >> Bc Frau Holle watched out, if smo was LAZY or worked hard. >> Bc at this *specific time* you had *to REST!* >> lay down all work!* >> Bc to have this "free time" you worked hard all year long, to now have time to *reflect was have we done, what mus be done next.* >> So if she had seen washed cloths outside,...she would know "aaah smo is still not finish with homework" and this ment no or less blessings for this house. ///// _Also:_ *The Maibaum* tradition in germany,.. was *hundrets of years* totaly forbiten by the church,... bc,.. yes.. *germanic german pagan tradition!* >> Only when the church felt like, the "people" forgot enough about the roots about it,..they allowed it BUT tryed later to AGAGIN forbit it but then had no chance bc the time changed and Witch-hunting area was long over, could not do smt like that anymore, so it stayed finaly to this day. But they knew, 99% did not know the roots about it,..made forgotten. ////////// A meeeeeeeeeeeeeeega big block of words & many infos to still somehow to undertstand. >> There never was in christianty a Fest in winter times nore a date to celebrate. >> The church *stole germanic Yul(e) Fest* renamed, and sprinkeled all over their symbols >> The tree was rooted by "tradions of the weavers & handcrafters" bringing the whole tree *inside* the rooms instead just branches infront the house, and put on them lil gifts for *their workers CHILDREN* hanging there to collect from them. Germanic weavers / handworkers created THEIR tradition for THEIR worker kids. Which then spread over to "normal" homes. >> THEN the church came, then the church forbit, stole, rennamed etc etc,... >> *So far, the church TRYED to change the germanic MEANING of Yul(e)* but this time, failed to hide their lies. //// Happy incoming *"Yul(e)"* Fest ;)
@@MattSuozzo for sure it's loud. Being loud is the only possibility to keep that "unholy creatures" away from you. They live in the mountain areas and the dark parts of forests, they don't want to be recognized or seen. It's a german thing, can't explain better, sorry. I think in Switzerland they celebrate it a bit more excessive.
Many years ago, when I was in my mid-20s, I was on a winter holiday in Switzerland with some friends in a small village. One day I passed a school a little too fast and was stopped by the police. The policewoman threatened me that the next time she sees me, it won't be a warning. On Krampus Day, it was already dark, we watched the procession. All of a sudden, a creepy demon rushed towards me and constantly hit me on my butt with the whip and chased me through the village to the amusement of my friends. Later it turned out to be the policewoman who had stopped me 2 days before and was in this traditional club.
Nooooo that is too much!! 🤣🤣🤣 Thank you for sharing that story :)
US cops are there to fill the jail cells, not to help people to change their behavior!
The Christmas tree is usually bought a few days before Christmas Eve, decorated on Christmas Eve and taken down on January 6th.
This seems to be the consensus. So much different to the States where everyone just does their own thing.
Krampus reminds me a lot of our Swabian-Alemannic carnival, but some guilds are also more lovely. Both are usually said to drive away evil spirits and the harsh winter. On the Sunday after Shrovetide, winter is officially burned in a big fire - Spark Sunday.
Yeah, Krampus is a southern Germany thing, Bavaria, Swabia and maybe Thuringia. In the rest of Germany, Krampus is mostly unknown. We do know of an assistant to St. Nicolaus, who is called "Knecht Ruprecht". He's mostly known for the rod he carries to punish all the kids who didn't behave well in the year past. And as far as I can remember, it was all about that rod, to the point where this rod isn't even carried by Knecht Ruprecht, but by St. Nicolaus himself.
Found you!😄
@@tosa2522 Both are everywhere🤣
Traditionally in Germany the Christmas tree is put up and decorated on December 23rd. The Christmas tree is dismantled on January 6th (Epiphany).On the following days, garbage trucks drive through the streets in many communities and remove the Christmas trees that have been put up.
That’s a lot easier than in the US where everyone takes their trees down at different times (sometimes on the 26th, which I think is bizarre).
Where I come from (southern Bavaria, at the Austrian border) the Christmas tree was kept from Dec 24th until Feb 2nd, that day in the catholic calendar is called "Mariä Lichtmess" and only then the tree was taken down.
@annamo9354 ohh very interesting. That’s a long season, lots of time to enjoy the decorations and extend the holiday spirit :)
Fun fact: In Frankfurt, the Christmas trees are collected and donated to the local Zoo to feed the elephants. No idea why, but apparently they‘re loving it. Not all trees of course, even elephants aren‘t that hungry!
I grew up in Munich. The tree was decorated on X-mas eve, and at a certain point mom rang a little bell, and we could come in. We usually had really tall trees, with real candles burning on them. After singing a few songs in front of the tree, we were allowed to open the presents, as is the tradition in Germany. For me and my sis it was really special evening every year. The tree stayed until New Year's Day.
It sounds wonderful! Also with real candles, you guys weren’t messing around 😂
normally the tree is setup and decoratet at x-mas eve in germany and stays till 6. of january.
thanks for the info :)
I hope you enjoy your first Christmas here.
Happy holidays🎄
Thank you! It’s so beautiful here with the markets, I wish we had this back in the US. Happy holidays ☺️
The last four Sundays mark the Adventszeit with all the Chrismas market and so on. Feel free to decorate your tree (under strong eyes of your cat=landlord). As Christmas appears here on 24th evening/afternoon: in my childhood -45 years ago- children were not allowed to enter living room where after lunch the tree was decorated. So the tree is highly combined with 24th. The old rule was to keep the tree until Jan 6th, holiday of the 3 kings. Now rules are more weak handled and you're not judged for breaking them LOL and keep the tree 1-2 weeks more.
Btw: A lot of trees come from Scandanavia, but we have a lot of Chrismas tree farms also quite outside Munich and everywhere else. The trend to have a plastic tree was a short trend and we returned to a natural one maybe 30 years ago.
Leberkäs(-semmel): Please out yourself: sweet mustard or spicy mustard or none or one time this, next time that. As a local you enjoyed the Leberkäse though other Americans find it mostly weird not knowing how to categorize it.
The 495 EUR tool: Maybe mostly handmade and good quality, and Munich has some people who want to afford this 🙂
Beware of Austrian Krampus which might not that nice 🙂. It's one of that tradition this region had before Christus and is now combined a bit with catholic St. Nikolaus (Dec 6th)
As you pointed out: We always try do something for having extra fun and extra good food .. now it's called Adventszeit 🙂
Outlook: Guten Rutsch means have a nice slide into year 2024. One thesis is that it's a translation out of Jewish and means: have a good starting into the new year.
So have a nice Advent and Merry Chrisma and a Guten Rutsch though I'm hoping for 10 more videos this year 🙂
Thank you for the insight! Yes, Cali oversees all work in (her) house 😆. It was spicy mustard, although I didn't get an option of spicy or sweet mustard (although asked if I wanted ketchup, which I declined). I did also end up getting a Lebkuchen, which I think is special for Christmas, but I didn't film it. Glad you enjoyed watching, have a wonderful Advent, Christmas and New Years :)
@@MattSuozzo now you know about Chrismas tree.... Lebkuchen and all the stuff pop up in the hot days end of August inside all grocery shops LOL ..however: tasting good and worth to eat it. A lot of people try to avoid to eat too much of this stuff before Adventszeit.
For Leberkäse I'm part of the sweat mustard fraction LOL, but for Wiener sausages for the spicy one.
Much similarity in my family when my Grand-Grandparents were still alive..
At 24th, after the meal mid of the day, the living room got closed and locked and my parents decorated the tree. Then, exactly at 6.00 PM one of the adults was ringing a little bell which was only used for this occasion and we could enter the room. There was always one window open and got closed when we entered and my grand-grandma said "The "Christkind" just flew out there after delivering the presents. Then we unpacked the presents and after this it gave a second, bigger meal.
We usually decorated the Christmas tree at the morning on 24., and it stayed till January 6th, which is a public holiday (Holly three Kings).
From what I can tell people keep it either until Jan 6th or Feb 2nd. What region are you from?
We don't have Krampus in the northern part of Germany
I never know if what I see here in Munich is typical anywhere else in Bavaria. I feel like they must have something similar in the Nordics, but I'm not sure. Thanks for the info :)
2:13 nope it obviously depends where you are in Europe - Europe is culturally very diverse, there are huge differences even within the country, culture is strongly a regional thing, like 50 miles max around your home, one needs to understand that. My grannie was Italian that is why we put up the Christmastree on 8th of December, a family with children often set up the tree in the living room and does a big reveal at 24th eve, in order to make that possible the tree is set up very short before as they have to declare the living room as a no go area for the kids until the 24th eve and it last until the 6th or until the 2nd of February. I personally will take down the xmas lighting outside my house at the 6th, the tree i side will last until the 2nd of Feb. 7:12 Perchtenlauf is a thing in the Northern Alps in Austria, in Switzerland and it reaches up to Southern Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, but not to Northern German, it is like Spain vs Catalunia, just accept that culture is regional, talk about it, say that is what you are experiencing, but pls avoid generalisations, like in 'Germany'. That may work in other countries, but mostly nowhere in Europe
Thanks for this comment. When I saw the video title I thought "Guess I'm not german anymore". :D I'm from North Germany. Our christmas traditions are different. I don't know if this is a thing in South Germany, but it is common to avoid washing clothes and hang them to dry between the 25th december and 6st january because the "Wilde Jagd" runs wild outside. ;)
We usually take out the Christmas tree on Jan.6th which is a holiday.
Ahh interesting. Is this also Three Kings Day? Thanks for watching :)
@@MattSuozzoYes, it is.
Trump wanted a 1 king day on that day. 😉
Traditionally in Germany the Christmas Season starts the day after Eternity Sunday. Trees are usually put up and decorated on Christmas Eve and depending on the region and religious background they are taken down either after Three King's Day or the day after the Purification of the Virgin Mary on the 2nd of February.
Thank you for sharing. This makes sense as I have seen variability in the dates depending on where people are from. It also seems like more people celebrate on the eve, what we would do on Christmas Day like a big family meal, presents, etc.
@@MattSuozzo You're welcome. And yes, Heilig Abend or Christmas Eve, is the focal point during the holidays. In most families there's a small meal with the family - traditionally it's Wiener Würstchen with Erdäpfelsalat, Carp or cold cuts - and then after 18h00 it's time for the Christkind to deliver the presents, after that it's usually a booze fest with midnight mass - for those still able to stand or not been arrested by the police for the usual arguments - at obviously midnight.
Christmas Day and Saint Stephens Day are for family and friends, with lavish meals, the occasional threat of divorce, and obviously more booze to survive this insanity.
😆😆
I saw your cat was eyeing up your baubles 😂. Frohe Weihnachten 🎄
Cali loves squirrels, it’s only a matter of time I hear them rolling around the floor 😂
@@MattSuozzo my German husband says Krampus is basically Austrian but also Bavarian. We don’t have it here in Rheinland Pfalz so thanks for showing the rest of Germany, the costumes look incredible!
Just came back yesterday from Cologne and spent 4 days there visiting Bonn and Aachen Christmas market just beautiful! Been to Munich too for the Christmas market years ago and it’s beautiful too !
Is it the same up in Cologne where the market seems to take over the whole city? I love exploring the markets, I just found a map for the ones in Munich and I've only scratched the surface 😅
@@MattSuozzo Yes ! and there’s a lot of Christmas markets and walkable too .There’s a Christmas market express that will take you to the markets you can get it right in front of the cathedral.It’s like a hop,on hop off bus lol
Those little processions they have in Munich - my hometown - are nothing compared to what happens in many Austrian villages. Once as a child I was visiting my dad's village - he was born in a small Austrian village - during Krampuslauf and it was... traumatizing. Me and my friend, both 8 years old then, were just waiting in the car when the Krampuses spotted us and started whipping the car and rocking it until we were sufficiently in a panic and they moved on. My friend's mom got a few whips to her legs that left her with red marks for a few hours. XD
Oh. My. God. That’s terrifying!! Talk about childhood trauma. Thanks for sharing, I will be sure to stay out of Austria for that 😬
Christmas trees are not always but often from germany and even quite regional, espcially those of medium size, as they are very easy to grow and a disproportional hassle to transport
That makes sense. I would have guessed they are from Poland given how scarce land is here, I mean someone has to grow hops 😂
@@MattSuozzo that's probably where the rest is from, and maybe those from some chain-hardware stores.
The Giant (15m+) ones are often from Russia or Finland.
You defnetly gota try the Nürnberg Chriskindles Markt, its a real banger^^
Yes! I want to. I think they are the oldest (or maybe largest) in Germany :)
@@MattSuozzo its Not the oldest but its one of the most famous ones around the world
3:16 The wooden model is certainly handmade, which is why it is so expensive.
It looked really nice. But I am a bit skeptical how the whole wood/candle flame works 😅
@@MattSuozzo Oh, here comes another candle. Hmmm I think the size is more suitable for a tea light.
At least I think there are variants where you put tea lights in and some where you can't do that. I don't know if you generally do that in this variant.
But it usually works, I've seen it a few times. My parents have little ceramic houses for Christmas that also have a tea light in them. You can't see how it turns black from the inside. But Krampus is also known throughout Germany, but as far as I know there are no such Krampus runs here in northern Germany.
St Nicholas is more likely to be represented there.
Hi Matt, yes, drinking beer in public on the street is allowed but for most the people it doesnt look very well. Reminds to alcoholics and you wouldnt like to be seen like this. Informe yourself about the tradition called Krampus. You will find this in the bavarian mainly mountain area, as well as in Austria and also in the black forrest area mostly during the so called Fastnacht(similar to Karneval in the river Rhine area). Early in spring happens. In Austrai they are called Perchten and in smaller villages they go from house to house and they are not always friendly. Ohhh, what a pretty velvet pawn. CU
Oh I will have to look into Fastnacht, thanks for the tip!
The Christmas tree can stay till January in Germany. I don´t know if there are any rules. ;-)
Good to know! Hopefully mine makes it that long 😅
Regarding to your argument about our christmastree. No, we defnetly don't have him for just a day. We decorate close before christmas, und in some familys they sort him out in January 6th.
In our family we keep him until the end of January. But before Christmas we've the adventstime. Four weeks before christmas on each sunday we light a candle. Advent means preparing time. Preparing for christmas.
Well crampus.......I think that's just a Bavarian think. Quit new to me. And I wouldn't pick it up for me. All the best to you
From the comments I am getting, it seems very regional about timing for the Christmas tree. And also Krampus! A lot of people I have talked to have never heard of it, from what I can tell it's origins are Swabian. But a lot of culture in this region is blended (Austrian, Bavarian, Swiss, etc.). All the best to you as well :)
The Christmas tree in Germany stays for the twelve days of Christmas, usually -- it depends on the tree, the family and their plans.
Are children allowed to decorate the tree or are they only allowed to see if finished?
@@MattSuozzoThat also depends. When I was young, my brother and I weren't. But nowadays a lot of children are involved. Imo, this has a lot to do with different apartement/house layout and also with zeitgeist. Kids are not fooled as easily as we were sixty-something years ago.
I'm not sure what I prefer.
In my family, at least the Italian side, we helped decorate the tree (and the cats helped undecorate it). We also got to help pick out the tree, bring it home, etc. it was a nice tradition with many happy memories. Interesting to see the traditions here, how they vary by region and family to family. Thank you for sharing :)
Those Krampus are scary 😱
They did an incredible job with the costumes. Not sure if this comes across in the video but there are loud bells that all the Krampus are wearing, adding to the experience. Also everyone is pushing to the front of the crowd and the Police are pushing people back, it was crazy! Kids seemed to be having fun but I about 15 min was enough for me 😆
We keep thw tree from. 24th until 2 Februar
Is this in Bavaria?
this christmas pyramid for over 400 Euro is surely handmade. And such a pyramid is designed for generations....the "main" pyramid in our family is nearly 80 years old, had some little burnings points, but looks great and brings joy to all family members. You can get cheaper ones ....but i´m not sure, it will hold so long
That sounds like a wonderful tradition and something you can pass down to future generations. Is there a special day you light the candles or anytime through Advent/Christmas?
the pyramid, along with other decorations, is setup for the first advent sunday afternoon coffee with the family.@@MattSuozzo
Why are people astonished thatvwe have krampus.
We had the brothers Grimms Tales. They are also terriying.
I mean it makes sense
omg you do the tourist-tour.
A Christmas tree once was a living thing and is now dead. And as with all dead things, they start to decay. You wouldn't buy flowers for your mom weeks in advance, would you ? So, why would you get a Christmas tree weeks in advance ? It's best to get it as fresh as possible. The only reason for not getting it just at the very last moment is there won't be any left to choose from. And it's best to unpack them in room temperature at least 12h ahead, so all the branches could relax and lower down. Is that tree just for one day ? For my family absolutely not. The tree will stay well into the new year. Maybe it will make it even just into Febuary. Depends on when the garbage collection company will have their final day for collecting old Christmas trees.
So, rule is: get that tree as fresh as possible, and keep it as long as its convenient.
I think in the US, we have so few holidays, that we are all keyed up and ready for Christmas, so as soon as Thanksgiving is over we go nuts. Usually by Christmas day, the tree is pretty dry (even if you put it in water). Glad you get to enjoy the tree for a while :)
That's what my family does too. The tree gets brought a couple of days before Christmas Eve and will be stored in the garden until noon or afternoon of Christmas Eve.
Decorating it and preparing the living room will take 2-3 hours plus 1 to 1.5 hours for preparing the Christmas meal. Children and grandparents aren't supposed to see any of those preparations. They're going for a walk in the countryside or visit a Christmas market. Sometimes they're attending a mass for children in a church. After returning they're still not allowed to take a glance. Usually they go watching TV or playing a game.
After it's gone dark outside, around 6 - 7 PM a table bell will be rung calling everyone to the Christmas tree which will be lit with candles, electric ones now, but we did that with real ones burning too some time ago (with a bucket full of water within reach). It's always a magical moment when entering the living room seeing the completely decorated tree with its candles being the only sources of light then. We're singing a couple of Christmas songs together accompanied on an old piano.
exactly! Perfectly said OP!
_>> Greetings from Stuttgart
This is how todays *"Wichteln"* tradition is all about,.. gift smt small, to smo you do not know and he does not know from who it came from. Mostly done by kids today.
> So oooold is this *germanic* tradition, still given to next generation over and over,..just the root of it,...was made forgotten,..so the church was *later* ok with it.
*The Elderbusch* is also called in german as *"der" Holler* directly.
So we have
*Der Holler* & *Die Holler*
> The Bush, Holy place of Holle/Frigg(a) & > The earths-pirits
////////
Laying down evergreen on local places and in front of entrances,.. *that is a germanic tradition* starting with:
>> *The Rauhe-Nächte* - _"Rough Nights"_
> In the Rauhe-Nächte, *Odin & Frau Holle/Frigg(a)* opend the gates between their empire this one here, and lead on the *"Wildhunt"* - Wilde Jagd !!
>> While this nights, strong winds are all over. If the wind gets stronger it was said "the wild hunt must be close by!"
>> There is *still the tradition* to NOT hang out *washed cloths outside.*
>> Bc Frau Holle watched out, if smo was LAZY or worked hard.
>> Bc at this *specific time* you had *to REST!*
>> lay down all work!*
>> Bc to have this "free time" you worked hard all year long, to now have time to *reflect was have we done, what mus be done next.*
>> So if she had seen washed cloths outside,...she would know "aaah smo is still not finish with homework" and this ment no or less blessings for this house.
/////
_Also:_
*The Maibaum* tradition in germany,.. was *hundrets of years* totaly forbiten by the church,... bc,.. yes.. *germanic german pagan tradition!*
>> Only when the church felt like, the "people" forgot enough about the roots about it,..they allowed it BUT tryed later to AGAGIN forbit it but then had no chance bc the time changed and Witch-hunting area was long over, could not do smt like that anymore, so it stayed finaly to this day. But they knew, 99% did not know the roots about it,..made forgotten.
//////////
A meeeeeeeeeeeeeeega big block of words & many infos to still somehow to undertstand.
>> There never was in christianty a Fest in winter times nore a date to celebrate.
>> The church *stole germanic Yul(e) Fest* renamed, and sprinkeled all over their symbols
>> The tree was rooted by "tradions of the weavers & handcrafters" bringing the whole tree *inside* the rooms instead just branches infront the house, and put on them lil gifts for *their workers CHILDREN* hanging there to collect from them. Germanic weavers / handworkers created THEIR tradition for THEIR worker kids. Which then spread over to "normal" homes.
>> THEN the church came, then the church forbit, stole, rennamed etc etc,...
>> *So far, the church TRYED to change the germanic MEANING of Yul(e)* but this time, failed to hide their lies.
////
Happy incoming *"Yul(e)"* Fest ;)
Krampus is for the naughty kids/people. Santa doesnt come to everyone.
I mean, Krampus would keep me in line as a child 😂
that Krampus thing is weird ! 🙂
It was really intense, lots of noise and people were really into it. Really cool to experience but I’m not sure I will do it again next year 😂
@@MattSuozzo for sure it's loud. Being loud is the only possibility to keep that "unholy creatures" away from you. They live in the mountain areas and the dark parts of forests, they don't want to be recognized or seen. It's a german thing, can't explain better, sorry. I think in Switzerland they celebrate it a bit more excessive.
@@andystone6777 Even crazier is the table-pull done by the Krampus in the Tyrol!
No Krampus in the north of Germany. 😊🕊️
Thanks! It's hard to tell (as a foreigner) what is German, what is Bavarian or something else :)
I know, that is why I wonder about the US being a free country with free speech and so on😂😂😂 One cannot even drink a beer in public! 😢
Now that I live in Germany, I know what true freedom tastes like 😅
@@MattSuozzo 😜😝🤪
O Tannenbaum auf Englisch! Grässlich!
Tree stays until New Year or sometimes Jan 6th
That makes more sense. For some reason I thought it came down the day after. Thanks :)