Everywhere I go!!! I suppose this post would have been appropriate two weeks ago, but to avoid making my American readers jealous, I decided to wait until the Christmas season had officially begun on both continents (after Thanksgiving ;-).
Although the decorations have lined the shelves of every store since the end of October, on Sunday, the season became official with the beginning of advent and Germany was transformed into a beautiful world of red and green. In addition to the countless decorations and never ending supply of Christmas baked goods that can be found in nearly every house, Christmas paintings, window decorations, and a giant advent wreath suspended from the ceiling give my school a bit of Christmas spirit. I find it ironic though, how in a country far more liberal than the U.S., no one has a problem with the school's public display of an advent wreath.
My home began to look like Christmas last week when Mama and I made the advent wreath. Well, actually she made the wreath and I made a little decoration of greenery with a candle for my desk, but we had a great time looking through all the decorations being sold, deciding on which shades of green to use, and picking out the perfect candles. Mama did laugh at my perfectionist nature and told me that wreaths are supposed to be from nature and therefore won't be completely even or perfectly circular. I simply replied that with enough glue, anything can be perfect. I was happy with my tiny wreath by the time it was finished and despite the many attempts it took me, I had a great time making it.
As soon as the first weekend of Advent arrived, it brought with it a whole new level of Christmas festivities! Of course, our house became properly decorated and we made special Christmas cookies--but mama finally gave the okay for the season of Christmas music to begin! If you count the among of singing I've been doing around the house, that season started long ago, but at least now it's official. :)
As if the first week of advent wasn't enough just being with family and enjoying the pleasures of the season, Gomaringen had its annual Christmas market last weekend! I had heard so much about German Christmas markets and was so excited to finally experience the typical part of German culture that sounded so fun--and I wasn't disappointed! I went with Eva and the two of us walked around from booth to booth, bundled is jackets and scarves to keep out the chilly evening air. We purchased some fun snacks to nibble on as we wandered around and bumped into friends from school along the way. I had a hot glass of punch to help warm my hands and with it, got the 2011 Gomaringen Christmas Market coffee mug! It was a wonderful evening.
Although the decorations have lined the shelves of every store since the end of October, on Sunday, the season became official with the beginning of advent and Germany was transformed into a beautiful world of red and green. In addition to the countless decorations and never ending supply of Christmas baked goods that can be found in nearly every house, Christmas paintings, window decorations, and a giant advent wreath suspended from the ceiling give my school a bit of Christmas spirit. I find it ironic though, how in a country far more liberal than the U.S., no one has a problem with the school's public display of an advent wreath.  |
| Perfectionist or not, I was happy with the end result! |
My home began to look like Christmas last week when Mama and I made the advent wreath. Well, actually she made the wreath and I made a little decoration of greenery with a candle for my desk, but we had a great time looking through all the decorations being sold, deciding on which shades of green to use, and picking out the perfect candles. Mama did laugh at my perfectionist nature and told me that wreaths are supposed to be from nature and therefore won't be completely even or perfectly circular. I simply replied that with enough glue, anything can be perfect. I was happy with my tiny wreath by the time it was finished and despite the many attempts it took me, I had a great time making it.
As soon as the first weekend of Advent arrived, it brought with it a whole new level of Christmas festivities! Of course, our house became properly decorated and we made special Christmas cookies--but mama finally gave the okay for the season of Christmas music to begin! If you count the among of singing I've been doing around the house, that season started long ago, but at least now it's official. :)
As if the first week of advent wasn't enough just being with family and enjoying the pleasures of the season, Gomaringen had its annual Christmas market last weekend! I had heard so much about German Christmas markets and was so excited to finally experience the typical part of German culture that sounded so fun--and I wasn't disappointed! I went with Eva and the two of us walked around from booth to booth, bundled is jackets and scarves to keep out the chilly evening air. We purchased some fun snacks to nibble on as we wandered around and bumped into friends from school along the way. I had a hot glass of punch to help warm my hands and with it, got the 2011 Gomaringen Christmas Market coffee mug! It was a wonderful evening.You might think that the Christmas season is a time that I might encounter a bit of homesickness as everything is so different and no one knows all the traditions that I've come to love with my family, but on the contrary, Germany + Christmas = absolutely amazing! I'm so blessed to have been able to experience "the best of both worlds" and will definitely be bringing back a bit of German Christmas culture with me for next year :)
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