“Practice your English” Forum

December Celebrations, Festivities & You

December Celebrations, Festivities & You

Höfundur Iya OLS Community Manager -
Number of replies: 4

 

Dark winter night snow covered landscape, northern lights in the sky reflecting on the lake


It’s December already! Where did the year go? Did 2022 seem to fly by at breakneck speed, or is that just me? Hahahaa!! All I know is it feels like I blinked and *poof!* December is here. Haha!

Well, whether the year came to an end quickly or not, we’re now in December with much of the world in festive mode with celebrations and holidays that will bring family and friends together around a huge feast of delicious, traditional foods.

Are you doing anything in December? Maybe you’re celebrating the Solstice? Or Kwanzaa? Christmas or Hannukah? Or perhaps you have an end-of-the-year tradition that focuses on quietly reflecting on the past events of your year and making resolutions or plans for the new year. Or hey! Maybe you’re not even in your home country but you’re discovering new traditions in your host country!?! Whatever it is, tell us & show us below!

Iya


In reply to Iya OLS Community Manager

Re: December Celebrations, Festivities & You

Höfundur Carmelito Bauer -
Hey Iya! I hope you are enjoying the cold haha!

Let me quickly share something I do every year here in Germany (come visit the German forums too, if you are interested!).

vienna christmas market (wikimedia commons)

The most significant tradition by far is the Christmas market! There are some famous ones, like the one in Nürnberg. Smaller towns also host their own, and they can have a very familiar atmosphere. It is quite common for us to go there in the late afternoon, after work or university and spend some time with friends and a hot drink and snack. In villages, the Christmas market might only last one weekend, thus becoming an even bigger event due to the limited time. 

In Germany, we do not follow the cult of "Santa Claus". If you see someone in a red hat, we would usually assume it is Saint Niklas, who comes to visit on December 6th and leaves presents. Did you know the Advent Calender and Advent Wreath are traditions that hail from Germany? If you speak German (or use a translator), you can read more here.

Lastly, in Germany we typically celebrate christmas on the 24th. This is the evening where we get together with family for a nice meal and exchange gifts. There is also a typical church service on this date that extends into the night, and christmas songs are sung. The 25th and 26th are for meals and spending some quality time with family.

(Edited by Iya (OLS Community Manager) - original submission Tuesday, 13 December 2022, 1:39 PM)

Edited to include the link to Carmelito's Advent post.

In reply to Carmelito Bauer

Re: December Celebrations, Festivities & You

Höfundur Iya OLS Community Manager -
In fact, I'm loving the cold, Carmelito! I'm still haunted by memories of a very dry, long hot summer; so these cooler temperatures are quite divine. :)

I'll tell you this, thanks to you, I now have German Christmas markets on my MUST-do list! hahaha! I would love to experience a tradition such as this.

I've had the pleasure of discovering France's version of their annual Christmas markets. In the south of France, there are these miniature figurines that are sold. I forget what the figures are called, but they're in the form of little humans or animals. If any French people are in the community and know what I'm talking about, feel free to jump right in!

Wishing you warm drinks and yummy snacks, Carmelito!
"Dien" Iya :D

P.S.: I had a ball trying to read your post in German about the advent calendar. It's so fun to see how many words are similar to English. (Of course, I had to use a translator for most of the post!)

In reply to Iya OLS Community Manager

Re: December Celebrations, Festivities & You

Höfundur Camille Tondu -
Hi!
I'm not from the South but these figurines are called "santons de Provence". 
Maybe if there are French people from this part of the country, they would be able to talk more about their history and so on ...
If you like Christmas markets and you are in France, I strongly recommend these in the East in Alsace region. 
Enjoy your Christmas time ;)
In reply to Camille Tondu

Re: December Celebrations, Festivities & You

Höfundur Iya OLS Community Manager -
Hi Camille

Thank you for telling me what these are called. Yes, I would love it if someone from that part of France could tell me more about the "santons de Provence." They were so intriguing.

What a great idea to visit Alsace region to discover the Christmas markets there. As I am still in France, this is certainly a possibility. :D

Wishing you a lovely holiday season too!
Iya