The Ultimate Guide to New Year’s Celebrations and Customs in Germany
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In Germany, New Year’s Eve is called “Silvester” after Pope Sylvester I, since his feast day is on December 31. Germans have many unique traditions surrounding Silvester - learn about some of them below!?
Drink a glass of Sekt at midnight:?
Just before midnight, Germans will pop a bottle of Sekt, or champagne, and countdown the last seconds until the new year. When the clock strikes midnight, everyone cheers their glasses and wishes each other “Prosit Neujahr,” or “Happy New Year.” The word “Prosit” is a Latin word meaning “may it succeed,” so, everyone is really wishing each other a successful new year. 1?
Melted lead can tell the future?:?
Lead pouring, or Bleigie?en, is an ancient craft that uses molten lead to predict the future. Since lead is unsafe, today a small amount of wax or tin is melted over a flame and then poured into a bowl of cold water. Similar to reading tea leaves, the shapes the lead forms in the water will predict what will happen in your life in the coming year. If a ball is formed, it is said that luck will roll your way. If you see a frog, it means that a lottery win is in your future. A chalice shape means you will have a happy future. Lead-pouring kits are sold in stores and often come with a comprehensive guide for decoding the shapes. 2?
Eat traditional foods:?
Berliner Pfannkuchen, or jelly-filled doughnuts, are eaten on New Year’s Eve each year. The jelly filling in the center makes for a funny surprise when the jelly is replaced with mustard or onions to prank friends. In the past, Berliner Pfannkuchen were special treats reserved for special occasions, which is why they’re prevalent for New Year’s.??
After you’ve had your Sekt, the next drink you should try is Feuerzangenbowle. Translated to “flaming fire-tongs punch” in English, Feuerzangenbowle is a winter punch made with red wine, rum, and caramelized sugar. The “flaming” part comes from how you prepare the drink by using high-proof rum to soak a sugar cone. Then, you set it on fire so the caramelized sugar can drip into the drink. 3?
Raclette is another German food usually eaten around Christmas and New Year’s, but this melted-cheese dish was originally invented in Alpine Switzerland. Raclette is made from scraping melted cheese off a cheese wheel on to bread and is usually served with gherkins, cold meats, and pickled onions. The dish is named after the cheese used, and the word “raclette” originates from the French Swiss verb “racler” which means “to scrape.” 4?
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Watch “Dinner for One”:?
Watching “Dinner for One,” a British cabaret-style sketch from the 1920’s, has become part of German tradition on New Year’s. The sketch was filmed in front of a live audience in Hamburg in 1963, which may be why it is so popular in Germany. But this film is mostly unknown to English-speakers, including in Britain.??
The sketch is about Miss Sophie celebrating her 90th birthday surrounded by friends, but the only problem is her “friends” are imaginary people who died a long time ago. As the night goes on, she converses with her butler James about the festivities she throws for herself each year. A famous line from the show is repeated throughout German households - “The same procedure as last year, Madam? – The same procedure as every year, James.” 5?
Gift lucky charms (Glücksbringer):??
People often gift each other lucky charms or Glücksbringer to give each other good luck in the new year. They are often made of marzipan or chocolate, but you’re not supposed to eat them. The charms come in different shapes all with their own individual meanings.??
Back in the day, it was said that if you had a pig at wintertime, you were in good luck because you had a food source, so, pigs are a popular lucky charm shape. Chimney sweep charms also bring good luck because if your chimney wasn’t cleaned you couldn’t cook or heat your house. Finally, ladybug charms are used because they would help farmers out by eating greenflies and scale insects. 6?
Want to ring in the new year with us? Join us at one of our three New Year’s Receptions across the Midwest in Illinois, Michigan, or Ohio. Meet the German American business community, establish new connections, and enhance those you have recently formed. Register here: https://www.gaccmidwest.org/en/events.??
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2 个月Read the list with a big smile on my face - spot on GACC! "The same procedure as every year" for sure ??