My Christmas Memories
When I was a child in Germany
we celebrated Christmas in the evening 24th December.
Dad would get a real tree in the morning and we were allowed to help
decorating it with our handmade decorations
like paperchains, straw stars and lanterns etc.
We made candle holders out of walnut shells.
Then we were sent out the room for a while.
We had to listen for a little bell.
Once we heard the bell we went into the room with anticipation.
The tree was lit (with real candles) presents under or next to the tree.
We did not open presents then.
Mum sat at the piano and played Christmas carols, we sang to it.
Then us children played Christmas carols on the recorder with my mum.
It was a wonderful happy, warm and peaceful feeling.
Then a record was put on with the Christmas story and a choir singing carols,
only then we started to open presents.
Everyone was happy, Dad watching the tree carefully with the candles.
We loved to blow them all out.
After all this Mum served a lovely small dinner with filled Vol-au vents,
and home baked Christmas cookies.
We spent a happy family evening together.
Always a magical Christmas for us, a special time,
and I remember it fondly filled with so much love.
Christmas tree 1969
Christmas Tree 1983
Ute smile 
sounds like a wonderful Christmas. How did you make candle holders out of walnut shells? What was the one food you mentioned? Have a Merry Christmas
Yes 3 empty walnut shells upside down like a star together and the 4th one on top of the 3 with the empty shell so you can put the candle in. Just all glued together and after that we sprayed it golden. Rather simple but nice. Probably I should do some again. Wishing you a lovely Christmas with your loved ones. ♥
Sounds very nice
lovely memories – happy Christmas, ute
Happy Christmas Beth , yes it was always magical.
So schöne Erinnerungen habe ich auch, liebe Ute. Geschenke aufmachen durfte ich dann, wenn auf dem Plattenspieler der Song “Der Engel verkündt Christs Geburt” gespielt wurde. Die Melodie habe ich nie mehr gehört, aber ich habe sie immer noch teilweise im Ohr.
Mein Liebelings lied war immer – Herbei, O Ihr Glaeubgen – Ich liebe es immer noch! Dein Lied kenne ich gar nicht. Einen schoenen Heiligen Abend, liebe Ute. ♥
What a beautiful Christmas Ute. Thank you for sharing it. It seems so perfect and full of love.
It always was, yes, I loved it so much. Thank you ♥
Sounds like the perfect way to spend Christmas Eve. I loved reading your memories and seeing the photo. Merry Christmas, Ute. 🎄🤗
Merry Christmas Sylvia, good memories are so heart warming!
Merry Christmas!
rChristmas to you and your loved ones!
Awwwh! How nice! Merry Christmas to you! ❤ xoxo
Thank you , merry Christmas to you! ♥
hoffe, du hattest eine schöne Zeit, Klaus?
Ebenfalls Klaus, Nun kehrt ein bisschen ruhe ein.
Treasure the memories! We immigrated to Canada when I was 5 but we continued the German tradition of celebrating on Christmas Eve. Electric lights were used instead of candles and we set up the tree a few weeks before Christmas. We sang German songs and also English carols. It was always a peaceful, happy time. 🎄
Enjoy the Christmas holidays!
❤️carmen
Lovely to hear your memories, it is so good to remember these family times. Enjoy the time now with your family! ♥ They are so precious!
genieße das letzte Wochenende im alten Jahr, Klaus
Werde ich , Klaus, Du ebenfalls!
Liebe Ute, bei uns war es so ähnlich. Mein Vater spielte immer gern Mundharmonika zur Weihnachtszeit. Der Weihnachtsmann klopfte ganz laut an die Tür. Und legte unsere Geschenke unter den Weihnachtsbaum. Am 24. Dezember gab es immer und das ist bei uns auch so, Kartoffelsalat. Ich wünsche dir einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr. Liebe Grüße Heike
Oh ja Kartoffelsalat, yummy. Es ist immer schoen sich an diese Zeit zu erinnern!
das weckt so viele Erinnerungen, danke dafür!
What a magical Christmas memory.
They are indeed. ♥ Always wonderful to remember!
Thank you, Ute for these lovely Christmas memories. When looking at your Christmas trees, I find it similar with those we had in my childhood. We were poor and could not buy decorations for Christmas trees, which mean that my mother made them, except the Christmas Star on the top of the Christmas tree. Years and decades passed and the Christmas Star decorated our Christmas tree. One day it became “old” and we had to throw away. Sigh!
Our Christmas three in 2008:
Christmas tree is in our library 2008
All the best for Next Christmas!
Thank you for your lovely comment, remembering your Christmas. – Your tree in 2008 looks splendid. To a great year 2020!