International Christmas Traditions

By Debby Giusti

This Advent, a number of Seekerville posts have focused on Christmas traditions. I’ve enjoyed learning about the various ways many of the Seekers and Villagers celebrate the holiday. In keeping with our December theme, I’ll share a few of the international treats that have meaning for my family at this time of year.

Some of you know that I’m an Army brat and an Army wife. My father was part of the Greatest Generation and spent thirty-two years on active duty. My husband and son are now retired, but they too had successful military careers. As you’ve probably guessed, we traveled the world and especially enjoyed our time in Germany.

Our three-year tour of duty in Deutschland was a wonderful opportunity to learn the German language and to get to know the people and their culture. The children counted down to Christmas on chocolate Advent Calendars. Since then, the calendars have become readily available in the US, and I’m sure many of you, like me, get them for your grandchildren.

My grown children still fondly remember the Feast of Saint Nicholas. We would take our three little ones to the neighborhood bakery in the early evening of December 6^th and gather outside with German families and their children. The boys and girls cheered with glee when a beautifully decorated wagon, drawn by a matched team of horses, rode into sight. Saint Nicholas was at the reins, wearing a flowing robe and miter hat and sporting a long white beard. He stopped at the bakery and distributed bags of candy and cookies and little toys to all the children.

Throughout December, we would visit various outdoor Christkindlesmarkts—Nuremberg being one of the best—where hand-carved ornaments were for sale along with wonderful baked goods.

On Saturdays when we weren't traveling, we’d bundle up in wool coats, hats and gloves, and with our youngest child tucked in the stroller, we’d walk to our town’s marktplatz, or market place, located near the beautiful Aschaffenburg castle on the Main River. We’d drink hot chocolate, sometimes enjoy a paper cone of French fries (the Germans eat theirs with mayonnaise) or perhaps a wurst or sausage. Our breath would cloud the frigid air and mix with the laughter and excitement around us as we shopped for Christmas gifts. Along with the gifts, we’d come home with farm fresh produce, cut flowers, and bakery items made only in December.

Stollen remains a favorite treat. The bread is filled with nuts, spices and candied fruit and is coated with powdered sugar and eaten during the Christmas season.

German cookies are another family tradition. Lebkuchen is a type of gingerbread first baked by medieval monks. A blend of hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds along with a mix of spices give it a distinctive taste that’s loved by all.

Pfeffernusse is a type of lebkuchen rolled into small balls and glazed with powdered sugar that are also popular at Christmas.

My father-in-law was first generation Italian. We traveled to Italy with the children when we lived in Germany, and my husband and I have returned to Italy a number of times. A favorite Italian Christmas treat is panettone. The sweet, yeasty cake is filled with raisins and candied fruit, and was first made In Milan and dates back to the Roman Empire.

Biscotti is another favorite. A monastery in the Atlanta area bakes a delicious variety of the almond flavored cake that always signals the approach of Christmas.

I hope you’ll share any special family foods that give meaning to your holiday celebrations. The coffee’s hot, and I’ve filled the breakfast bar with stollen, panettone and biscotti. There’s also hot chocolate and tea. Enjoy a special treat as we continue our discussion on holiday traditions.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas,

Debby Giusti

www.DebbyGiusti.com

Amish Christmas Search

Oct 2020

An Amish girl’s disappearance is a mystery…

and the clues lead straight into danger at Christmas.

Convinced her friend didn’t run away as the police

believe, Lizzie Kauffman searches for the truth—but

someone will kill to keep it hidden. Now the Amish

housekeeper and her friend Caleb Zook are on the

run for their lives. And if they want to find their

missing friend, Lizzie and Caleb must figure out

a way to survive the holiday.

 Order HERE!