Merry Christmas In Germany

When I think of the differences between German and American culture, one of the first things that comes to mind is how Christmas is celebrated. In Germany, it is always celebrated on Christmas Eve. Instead of Santa, children are told that if they behave well, “Kris Kringle” or “Christkindl”, meaning Christ Child, will leave presents for them under the tree. While waiting for the presents to come, the family will gather around the table to eat dinner

In this paper I will discuss Social Theories such as Structural Functionalism, Conflict theory; with emphasis on Karl Marx’s early work and how it relates to the conflict theory and Symbolic interaction. I intend to define and discuss relevant sociological terms of these theories and how these theories could apply to my favorite holiday which is Christmas.

I have no religious beliefs but was christened as child. I am British but also a ¼ Irish and ¼ German. I don’t know a lot about my German culture as I have no contact with the German part of my family.

Traditional france christmas ornaments were fruits that they hung on a tree, like pears or apples, but after they went through a drought they instead made glass ornaments in the shape of fruits. They also wrap pieces of chocolate in wrapping paper and hang them on trees. They wake up to smoked salmon blinis every morning on christmas. They have gougeres as an appetizer with wine or cocktails.

The Germans brought a lot of foods that we eat today. The Germans eat a lot of whole grain breads, cheeses, sausages, mustards, and pickles (gherkins are and were very popular). They eat toast, rolls, marmalade, honey, eggs, ham , salami, and tea or coffee for breakfast. Germans eat their main meal during the day between 12 and 2 p.m. It is nothing more than a snack. The German dinner is called “Abendbrot”, meaning "evening bread". It consists of a selection of whole grain bread,

The rattles are made from very bright and vibrant colors. The rattle is decorated with different colored beads. The process takes multiple days because the beads are tiny and are slowly stitched by hand one at a time. This type of stitching is called peyote stitching. The multiple colored beads please the spirits and are also “beautiful to the human eye when under the effect of the peyote” (Native American Church Style Gourd Rattles). The peyote gourd rattles are made of wood. Half the portion of the gourd is used for the rattle. There is a stick that goes through the rattle and that is covered in buckskin and the colorful beads. The bottom of the stick has tassels hanging from it. The top of the stick has either horse hair or sometimes parrot

This plate was made around 1636. The culture from which it was found was the Wanapum tribe. The wanapum tribe was an Indian tribe that lived in Oregon. The Wanapum tribe used to make all of their tools they made utensils, plates, cups, weapons, and other tools. This particular plate was made for eating on a wedding it is a dark green color with a dark blue bottom. These colors were thought to have been good luck for the married couple. The plate was have to been thought to have been broken around 1640. The tribe was attacked by Americans and nothing was left after but a few plates. The plate was used for self defense against an

(If you ever go, I recommend the bratwurst and knackwurst sausage platter with sauerkraut on the side and apple strudel for dessert.)

The piece was made out of marble using a hammer and a set of chisels. As with Greek sculpture, the Romans worked stone, precious metals, glass and terracotta but favored bronze and marble above all else for their finest work. Over the years the bust has many rough spots and a few chips.

The festivities last for a whole month: from December 6th, the feast of St. Nichols, until January 6th, the feast of the wise men. Similar to the American Christmas traditions, Christmas trees are a large part of the holiday celebration. In Germany, unlike America, the Christmas tree is secretly brought into the house the night of Christmas Eve and is decorated by the mother. Trees are most famously decorated with hand blown glass ornaments and tinsel. Another German tradition unlike America’s is that presents are usually exchanged and opened on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day. Germans also celebrate Zweiter Weihnactsfeirtag the day after Christmas. Zweiter Weihnactsfeirtag directly translates to Boxing Day, the holiday also celebrated in Canada. Though unlike Canada, where Boxing Day is a time for shopping and finding discounts, in Germany, Boxing Day is like a second Christmas. Families spend time with their grandparents and godparents. Things like board games, watching TV, and other typical bonding activities are done. This day, for the Germans, is a quiet day to relax and prepare for the rest of the Christmas

Johann and Rike are living in Soulard when the first four congressionally designated federal holidays are created in 1870. They are New Year’s Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. This is strictly a federal acknowledgement of four holidays that that have been celebrated in St. Louis for many years. Christmas, largely a private, family-oriented holiday, is certainly celebrated by Johann and Rike. This probably includes exchanging a few small inexpensive gifts, a trimmed tree with strings of popcorn and cranberries, hand-crafted ornaments, and candles. Santa Claus, Christmas trees, greeting cards, and turkey or goose dinners are traditions that have been firmly entrenched in the German community. The Fourth of July celebration is celebrated with parades, brass bands playing music, and fireworks in the evening. For Johann, this holiday undoubtedly brings back painful memories of what took place in Hyde Park in 1863.

I had chance to watch Gracias Christmas Cantana at Fox theatre Atlanta on October 16th. This was my first time to attend one performance about Christmas. It was amazing for me. This performance was the combination between opera and play. There are three sections in this performance, first one was about Jesus was born in Bethlehem, second one was about Marry- The little Match Girl, and the last one was the show of orchestra. I loved the song of the first section, "a child for us, a child to save us, a child to for us to die", " a amazing gift from the God in heaven". Actors and actress showed the happy feeling on their faces when sing about Jesus- amazing gift from God. I liked the background of Bethelem city in the first show. It looked like

This carving was made by the Olmec. this was produced with latex. The Olmec utilized the elastic from trees to make these heads as an image of their love to a considerable lot of their divine beings.

Whatever attempts were made to lift spirits it was clear to all that, on the domestic front, the war was causing growing shortages. The price of meat increased sharply and housewives found themselves paying more for the Christmas joint. In the trenches Christmas was quite uneventful. One soldier wrote, ‘The Bosch was rather quiet. Our orderly officer set up his gramophone and did a good day’s work. 11a.m. a Padre turned up and we had a service in the mess. We had mince pies for lunch and they were very good. At 6p.m. we were invited to a concert. The singing was not very great but quite cheery. The Christmas pudding came in on fire in great style. So ended Christmas in this weary waste of France.’

Christmas is the annual festival celebrating the birth of Jesus on the 25th December, at least that is what it began as initially. Since it has expanded into an international phenomenon for consumption, taking priority over our everyday practices of life (Michel De Certeau, 1980). Our time we spend divided between work and leisure in accordance to the codes and conventions of society shifts, Christmas derails these expectations. Yet surprisingly Christmas gains little attention in terms of social research, despite the fact that it can be explored diversely. The inquiry ‘What is Christmas?’ links to multiple aspects of social research. The aspects of Christmas can be subdivided into the following; religion, commercialism, gift-giving, social relationships, sensualism and mythology. This essay will analyse these fundamentals of Christmas through both psychological and sociological perspectives, as the theories among these two social sciences are best suited to the elements which make up Christmas itself.