The Weihnachtszeit (Christmas season) is here, and with it comes all the food, festivities, and traditions we hold dear.
To make the most of the season, here’s your ultimate guide to celebrating like a true Weihnachtsprofi (Christmas pro):
1️⃣ Glühwein is a hug in a mug. Nothing sets the festive mood like holding a warm mug of mulled wine. Bonus points if you’re outside braving the cold at a Weihnachtsmarkt. If not, pretend your kitchen is a market stall and refill as necessary.
2️⃣ Eat your weight in Plätzchen. German Christmas cookies are legendary for a reason. From buttery Vanillekipferl to jam-filled Spitzbuben, these treats are small but mighty. Don’t stop at one.
3️⃣ The dumpling-to-gravy ratio matters. Whether it’s Klöße (potato dumplings) or Semmelknödel (bread dumplings), make sure every bite is swimming in gravy. It’s called balance.
4️⃣ No shame in seconds. Or thirds. Whether it’s goose, red cabbage, or Marzipankartoffeln (marzipan candies), go back for more. Weihnachten is no time to hold back.
5️⃣ Lebkuchen over lettuce. These spiced gingerbread treats are the essence of Christmas. If you’re torn between nibbling on a salad or savoring a Lebkuchen heart, remember: one fuels the body, the other fuels the soul.
6️⃣ Feuerzangenbowle: the drink that dazzles. This flaming rum punch is a showstopper and a taste of pure holiday magic. Sip responsibly—it’s as bold as it is festive, and too much might have you leading the carols solo!
7️⃣ Skip the pre-party snack. Holiday feasts are not a time for moderation. Arrive hungry and let the buffet of sausages, cheese boards, and baked treats do its job.
8️⃣ Dessert is a strategy. Don’t limit yourself. Have the Stollen and the Spekulatius cookies and the Rote Grütze (berry pudding). This is the only time of year when no one will judge.
9️⃣ Fruitcake isn’t Stollen. Stollen is the sophisticated, powdered-sugar-dusted cousin of fruitcake. Treat it with respect. As for fruitcake? Let’s just say there’s a reason it’s often “regifted.”
🔟 Eat, drink, and be gemütlich. Guilt and calorie-counting have no place at the Weihnachts table. Enjoy every bite, every laugh, and every sip, because Christmas is about making memories (and maybe a few new recipes to try next year).
Remember: Life’s best moments come with a side of butter and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
Frohe Weihnachten und guten Appetit! 🎅✨