What would you say is the most important holiday for Germany?
It’s Weihnachten! (Christmas). Around Christmas time everybody is off from work and school and travels to the closest relatives they have or they host them. Christmas begins a day earlier than in the US. In Germany, everybody gets to open their presents after dinner on the 24th of December, Heiligabend (Christmas Eve). Heiligabend is mainly for the immediate family members. On the following days, erster Weihnachtstag und zweiter Weihnachtstag (the first and second Christmas day) it is common to visit or host extended family or friends.
Here are some phrase you might want to practice prior your next visit to Germany during Christmas time:
- Frohe Weihnachten! (Merry Christmas)
- Fröhliche Weihnachten (Merry Christmas)
- Frohe Feiertage (Happy holidays)
- Schöne Weihnachtstage (Have nice Christmas days)
- Schöne Weihnachtszeit (Have a nice Christmas time)
- Ein frohes Fest an alle! (A happy feast to all)
- Das Weihnachtsessen war sehr lecker! (The Christmas dinner was delicious)
- Hier sind meine Geschenke! (Here are my presents)
- Vielen Dank für die Geschenke! (Thank you for the presents)
- Einen frohes neues Jahr, falls wir uns nicht mehr sehen werde. (A happy new year, should we not see each other)
