If Christmas 2012 could be said to have a theme for me this year...that theme would be a German Christmas. I have been nostalgic for those days...more than thirty years in the past. My husband was an Army captain who commanded a small installation in northern Germany during those Cold War days before the fall of the Berlin Wall which split the nation into East and West. We lived in town with German neighbors and not on one of the big bases. It gave us more of a cultural experience than we would have gained living among other Americans. No other European country does Christmas as well as Germany...and we were lucky to spend three Christmases in that fairytale land.
Christmas Markt...
Christmas Markt!
Lights, toy vendors, carnival rides and all the gingerbread your heart desires.
It's just not Christmas unless you go to Christmas Markt. Most of the major cities have them...we lived near Bremen so that was the one we visited. I'm not sure which Markt is in the picture...but Nuremberg has one of the biggest.
A lovely Nativity scene.
So many wonderful things!
The many little shops reminded me of Geppetto's Toy Shop.
One of my favorites...Gingerbread hearts with sayings written in icing.
Where Der Weihnachtsmann shops.
How I wish I had bought more of these little wooden ornaments.
Nussknackers!
At the time I lived in Germany...the most sought after
nutcrackers were made in communist East Germany!
I still collect a few and buy the real German ones for my sons each Christmas
An entire city made of gingerbread!
My Office...
Fake gingerbread "Herzen" for my office tree.
I spelled "ewig dein" wrong...but I fixed it later.
It means "forever yours." Schatzi is an endearment... "treasure" and Frohes Fest is "Happy Holidays"...more or less!
The top of my desk is still a work in progress.
Little Clock Merchant.
Repainted thriftstore chair.
Lucky Mushrooms!
A visitor from Elizabeth's craft room...so cute!
Small tree decorated in German style.
Clip on candles would often replace the string of lights.
Gingerbread heart and small nutcracker...Hobby Lobby set of four.
Real German nutcracker ornament...chimney sweep!
They are another symbol of good luck.
I saw chimney sweeps nearly everyday...on bicycles with their top hats and scarves.
One even knocked on my door one day to check my furnace...lol!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter of "My German Christmas!"
Froehliche Weihnachten!
OK! I'm wanting to book a flight to Germany right now!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt really sounds like a dreamland of Christmasy goodness! haha
Maybe someday I'll make it there.
I'm happy for you Shirley, that you have such great memories from this part of your past. Thank you for sharing them with us!
Erica :)
We have a wonderful German market every year here in Birmingham, England so I know what you mean. I am past retirement age and I still find it so very magical..
ReplyDeleteWOW...it looks so awesome there and how cool that you lived there.
ReplyDeleteYour office is looking very Christmas sweet!
Warmly,
deb
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM agic! Love the reds, my favorite color~
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in Chicago for Christmas years ago they had a German Christmas fair in the square and I immediately thought that is what these pictures were from....so beautiful...smiles..Renee
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to go to Germany during Christmas. I took German in high school, and just fell in love with the Christmas Markt!! Maybe one day! Thank you for sharing such prettiness!! Love it all! ;) xo Heather
ReplyDeleteOh Shirley! I love your German Christmas! ♥
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I could look at that gingerbread town all day! I love your desk and that repainted chair. So pretty.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing experience your family had....3 Christmas's in Germany!! Love your Christmas Tree!!
ReplyDeletechris
More Polka Dots Shirley! Your gingerbread ornaments are wonderful! I like your office theme!
ReplyDeleteI forgot to tell you my 19 year old niece has just been given her first Air Force assignment on Ramstein. (sp)She even has her first boyfriend, and he is in the German Air Force. The relatives are lining up to visit!
PS Sweet Raggedy costumes. The best memories!
Thanks for all you share! Elizabeth
Ah Shirley dear, I had no idea you were so into the Deutches Weihnachten. I lived in Essen, Germany for almost two years and got to experience a lot of that, too. The other holiday they really do well is Easter.
ReplyDeleteChus,
Meri
I love reading your blog and have enjoying several of your posts today. I'm going to put your blog in my list of favs so that I don't miss any of the fun! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI love your German Christmas display! I have a couple German figures that friends have given me over the years! I am working on my Christmas displays too! It's the most wonderful time of the year!
ReplyDeleteLinda
I love your German Christmas display! I have a couple German figures that friends have given me over the years! I am working on my Christmas displays too! It's the most wonderful time of the year!
ReplyDeleteLinda
I love all of your ornaments and pictures of the German Christmas. My BFF is married to a German man from Stuttgart and they are anxiously awaiting spending Christmas in Germany this year. Looks enchanting!!
ReplyDeleteI love all of your ornaments and pictures of the German Christmas. My BFF is married to a German man from Stuttgart and they are anxiously awaiting spending Christmas in Germany this year. Looks enchanting!!
ReplyDelete