Guten Tag! As it’s my last post before Christmas I thought it’d be fun (educational fun… haha) to get into the Christmas spirit with a German Christmas quiz! Throughout the years the team here on the German blog have written some great articles about Christmas time in Germany. So, first of all, make yourself a cup of coffee (or Glühwein, if you fancy), sit back and have a read of these Christmassy German articles:

 

The Christkind – a German Christmas angel that brings gifts to children

German Christmas cakes – Lebkuchen, Stollen and more!

German Christmas vocabulary – all of the words you need to describe the things around you at Christmas time

The origin of the Christmas tree – yes, it’s German!

The ‘other’ Christmas in Germany – St. Nikolaus Tag

The German advent calendar

The history of the Adventskranz (Advent Wreath)

Krampus – the German Christmas monster

 

Now you’ve got an idea of what Germany at Christmas time is all about, it’s time to test your knowledge. Here is your German Christmas Quiz 2016! Leave your answers in the comments and I’ll let you know how many you got right! FROHE WEIHNACHTEN!

 

EINS.

Match these German Christmas bakes to their English names or descriptions:

1. Lebkuchen ——– A. Domino stones
2. Stollen ———– B. Vanilla crescent
3. Marzipankartoffeln ——- C. German gingerbread
4. Vanillekipferl ——– D. Cinnamon stars
5. Zimtsterne ———- E. Black & White Bake
6. Schwarz-Weiß-Gebäck ———- F. German fruit loaf with icing
7. Dominosteine ———- G. Marzipan potatoes

 

ZWEI.

True or false: The Adventskranz (Advent Wreath) was originally created for orphans as a means of counting down the days to Christmas.

 

DREI.

Which one of these is die Stechpalme?

 

VIER.

The Christkind brings gifts to children on December 24^th. But why does the Christkind exist if Germans already have Santa Claus?

1. Because Germans believe their children should get double the amount of presents at Christmas time.
2. Because they belong to different religions; Santa Claus is a Catholic figure, while the Christkind is Protestant.
3. Because the Christkind is just Santa Claus in drag.

FÜNF.

True or false: Christmas Germany is celebrated on December 24^th, not December 25^th. You won’t see December 25^th on a German advent calendar.

 

SECHS.

The German word ‘Dickbauch’ literally means ‘fat stomach’. But what is the German legend of Dickbauch all about?

1. It says those who get too bloated at Christmas must not eat until New Year.
2. It says those who don’t eat enough at Christmas will be visited by demons during the night.
3. It is a traditional drinking game played by Germans on Christmas day; whoever has the fattest stomach after dinner must drink 10 Schnaps in a row.

 

SIEBEN.

Which of these words means ‘Christmas tree’?

1. Tannenbaum
2. Christbaum
3. Weihnachtsbaum
4. All of the above can be used

 

ACHT.

Who or what is Krampus?

1. A German Christmas reindeer that accompanies Santa Claus to the grotto
2. A demonic figure that ‘steals’ or ‘punishes’ naughty children at Christmas time
3. The cramp you get after eating too much Stollen

 

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about German Christmas time, and that you’ve had a bit of fun with the quiz! Leave your answers in the comments and I’ll let you know your score. All that’s left from me to say is ….

Frohe Weihnachten, und einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!
Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Constanze x