Just as an in America, German holidays originate from the Christian background. The main German holidays include New Years day, Easter, Labor day, Day of Unity, and Christmas. Out of all of the holidays, Easter and Christmas are the most popular.
Easter is a very anticipated holiday for the Germans, not only does it signify the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ but it also is a reminder spring is coming. In the weeks prior to Easter you will see flowers on display as well as "Easter Tree". "Easter Tree" are twigs and brushes dripping with colorfully decorated eggs. The next most popular item of Easter is the bunny, it symbolizes fertility while the egg symbolizes new life. Easter weekend is a long weekend starting on Good Friday and ending after Easter Monday. As well as in America, the German celebrate their Easter on Sunday, with the hiding of the baskets filled of goodies and ending the day with a delicious lunch. They enjoy a traditional meal of lamb, potatoes, and vegetables, in America our main meat for Easter, and most holidays, is ham. The coolest part about the way they celebrate Easter, is the market they go to on Saturday. You can go and get locally made art and crafts, as well as a special treat made in the bakeries shaped as a lamb.
Just as during Easter, the Germans have a special market for Christmas, except this one is exponentially more popular. The Christmas Fairs and Christmas Markets of Germany are extremely unique and draw visitor's from around the world. Unlike the commercialism take over America has seen for Christmas, the German markets are traditional and do not sell mass produced gifts, but only gifts of real crafts work. You can find all kinds of Christmas merchandise and gifts at these markets, especially traditional things such as crib figurines, toys, wood carvings, marionettes, candles and lambskin shoes to place underneath your Christmas tree. The markets generally run from the last week in November till around noon on Christmas Eve. The one day you may find these markets closed is on the Sunday before Christmas, Remembrance Day. Christmas is usually celebrated with the family at home. On Christmas Eve (Heiliger Abend) families get together around the decorated Christmas tree, exchange presents and celebrate the birth of Christ.
Even though holidays always differentiate throughout countries the one thing that always stays constant is the importance and specialness associated with them.
References:
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/christmas-eve
http://gogermany.about.com/od/eventsandfestivals/a/easteringermany.htm
http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/
http://www.destination360.com/europe/germany/events-and-holidays
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