Growing up, I had never given much thought to how Christmas was celebrated

in other areas of the world, but working at a German company for the past five

years, I have come to realize that Germans and Americans have different ways of

Even though there is no set date, being an American, when I think of the

beginning of the Christmas season, I would say that it starts the day after

Thanksgiving. That is when we start to have celebrations, and the shopping season

begins. In Germany, the Christmas season has a set date. It starts four weeks before

the 24th of December, and is marked with an advents wreath placed in the home.

Traditionally, the wreath is green with red candles and bows, but these days all

colors are used. Each Sunday, they light a candle until all four are burning.

Another cultural difference between Germans and Americans is when and how

American Christmas tree usually is taken down by December 26th along with all

will come and bring them gifts if they have been "good" all year long. In Germany,

Christ child was there. In the meantime, he has already lit the tree and placed the

get a "rute", which is a bundle of twigs for spanking. On December 24th, instead

family, choose and decorate our Christmas tree. In Germany, the Christmas tree is

put up by the parents on the 24th, and the children are not allowed to be present.

carol, or when the children are small they sometimes recite a Christmas poem.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Christmas Day, Santa Clause, Germany Christmas, American Christmas, Germans Americans, Kuecht Ruprecht, Clause Nickolous, Americans Christmas, Germany Jesus, Christmas Weihnachten, santa clause, christmas tree, christmas day, santa clause coming, day thanksgiving, extended family, germany christmas, set date, christmas season, start gifts, clause coming,
Approximate Word count = 660
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)