Don't touch that! I need a picture first! TR - **NEW 04/17 PTR IS UP

[englishrose47]

Jen so sorry about Susie !! I have been very busy with work and Gift wrapping etc !! Have fallen asleep instead of Dissing when I'm done with work and wrapping !!

Thought I'd share my great work day today though !! We had our annual Christmas Tea !! You see in England the Main Meal is around 1 pm and then around 5pm we have "Tea" Which is all finger foods such as little sandwiches, sausage rolls etc !! My staff made a bunch of different sandwiches and stuffed celery and olives and pickles , salami rolls, cheese and pepperoni plate with crackers and I made sausage rolls and Trifle !! Also had some Yummy store bought cookies !! I made a holiday punch too !! Everyone loved it and they wanted more of everything !! After dessert they did their Secret Santa Exchange and all had a great time !!

IT brought back such fond memories of my childhoodMagdalena how do they celebrate Christmas in Germany???

 

[Flossbolna]

Jen so sorry about Susie !! I have been very busy with work and Gift wrapping etc !! Have fallen asleep instead of Dissing when I'm done with work and wrapping !!

Thought I'd share my great work day today though !! We had our annual Christmas Tea !! You see in England the Main Meal is around 1 pm and then around 5pm we have "Tea" Which is all finger foods such as little sandwiches, sausage rolls etc !! My staff made a bunch of different sandwiches and stuffed celery and olives and pickles , salami rolls, cheese and pepperoni plate with crackers and I made sausage rolls and Trifle !! Also had some Yummy store bought cookies !! I made a holiday punch too !! Everyone loved it and they wanted more of everything !! After dessert they did their Secret Santa Exchange and all had a great time !!

IT brought back such fond memories of my childhoodMagdalena how do they celebrate Christmas in Germany???

Hi Rosie, that really sounds like a wonderful day!

Our Christmas is pretty different because it starts on Christmas Eve. This is a "half holiday" meaning that shops etc are open in the morning, but close at 2 pm. Then most families will have a simple meal before they go to church. Traditionally church service would be around 6 pm, some churches have a family service before that. Very often a nativity play would be part of the church service. After you go home from church kids will be allowed for the first time that day to enter the living room and they will see the decorated tree for the first time then. And this is also when kids get their presents. Some families would then afterwards also go to the night service at church (which starts between 10pm and 12am, depending on the church).

Christmas day is nothing really special here. Most people would have a nice lunch, kids play with their presents, you go for a walk and maybe visit nearby relatives...

That's why when you say Christmas in Germany, you normally mean December 24th.

 

[redlight]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is hard no matter how it happens. RIP Susie. She was a beautiful kitty.

 

[Sleeping*Beauty]

Your trip sounds like lots of fun. Can't wait to hear more.

 

[englishrose47]

Hi Rosie, that really sounds like a wonderful day!

Our Christmas is pretty different because it starts on Christmas Eve. This is a "half holiday" meaning that shops etc are open in the morning, but close at 2 pm. Then most families will have a simple meal before they go to church. Traditionally church service would be around 6 pm, some churches have a family service before that. Very often a nativity play would be part of the church service. After you go home from church kids will be allowed for the first time that day to enter the living room and they will see the decorated tree for the first time then. And this is also when kids get their presents. Some families would then afterwards also go to the night service at church (which starts between 10pm and 12am, depending on the church).

Christmas day is nothing really special here. Most people would have a nice lunch, kids play with their presents, you go for a walk and maybe visit nearby relatives...

That's why when you say Christmas in Germany, you normally mean December 24th.

I love hearing about how others celebrate Christmas !! As a child we all went to church on Christmas morning and NO presents till afterwards !!!!!

 

[lovealldisney]

Hi Rosie, that really sounds like a wonderful day!

Our Christmas is pretty different because it starts on Christmas Eve. This is a "half holiday" meaning that shops etc are open in the morning, but close at 2 pm. Then most families will have a simple meal before they go to church. Traditionally church service would be around 6 pm, some churches have a family service before that. Very often a nativity play would be part of the church service. After you go home from church kids will be allowed for the first time that day to enter the living room and they will see the decorated tree for the first time then. And this is also when kids get their presents. Some families would then afterwards also go to the night service at church (which starts between 10pm and 12am, depending on the church).

Christmas day is nothing really special here. Most people would have a nice lunch, kids play with their presents, you go for a walk and maybe visit nearby relatives...

That's why when you say Christmas in Germany, you normally mean December 24th.

Magdalene,
I want to thank you for all the German traditions and life in general informantion you have provided everyone not only here but on other threads as well. I often have wondered how German of a houshold I grew up in because I lost my Mother when I was 22 and well at that age I was more interested in other things than my German heritage.
I have to say the way Christmas is celebrated in Germany is very close to how I celebrated Christmas growing up. The only thing different is we would as a family decorate the Christmas tree. So we knew what the tree looked like but everything else is spot on as to how we would celebrate here. Even down to our church services we have a Christmas service with the school childeran and a late candlelit service too.
So thank you so much for providing all these wonderful memories of my childhood.
Oh do you also celebrate St Nick as well? Mine get there stockings today.

 

[englishrose47]

Oh yes Forgot we had Father Christmas who only filled your stocking (pillow case) and that was all I could look at before Church!!

 

[marvali]

All caught up again! Some really fun updates. Loved the tour and insider dining review!!!

Not trip related, but I just got news my cat passed away this morning. She was 18 years old so she did live a long life. In her recent years, she had become an old crotchedy cat but even so, I'll still miss her.

RIP Susie

Jen, so sorry you lost your cat! 18 years is a long time to have a friend who pretty much grew up with you!

I hope you will forgive my transgression of humor at this sad time for you, but when you said "she had become an old crotchedy cat" I just knew you were going to say her name was Rosie! (okay, everyone can attack my poor taste now, and hopefully you will forgive me Jen, but I just couldn't stop myself.....)

Hi Rosie, that really sounds like a wonderful day!

Our Christmas is pretty different because it starts on Christmas Eve. This is a "half holiday" meaning that shops etc are open in the morning, but close at 2 pm. Then most families will have a simple meal before they go to church. Traditionally church service would be around 6 pm, some churches have a family service before that. Very often a nativity play would be part of the church service. After you go home from church kids will be allowed for the first time that day to enter the living room and they will see the decorated tree for the first time then. And this is also when kids get their presents. Some families would then afterwards also go to the night service at church (which starts between 10pm and 12am, depending on the church).

Christmas day is nothing really special here. Most people would have a nice lunch, kids play with their presents, you go for a walk and maybe visit nearby relatives...

That's why when you say Christmas in Germany, you normally mean December 24th.

Thanks for the lesson Magdalene! I thought about you a few nights ago. They actually had a video clip from a German town (I missed which one) on our local news of a traditional Christmas cake that was being delivered on a truck. It was really large and it said everyone was waiting to share it. I looked at the name (and spelling) of the cake really well so I could remember it, but alas I should have written it down I guess.

I love hearing about how others celebrate Christmas !! As a child we all went to church on Christmas morning and NO presents till afterwards !!!!!

Lump of coal Rosie?

I love hearing about the different traditions too! I can't wait until our trip and touring the different countries in WS and listening to the Story Tellers for that very reason.

 

[jenbear123]

Oh, Jen, I'm so sorry. Its never easy to lose a pet, even when they've lived a good long time.

Thank you for your support At this point, it's my mom who is having the hardest time getting passed it all.

Jen so sorry about Susie !! I have been very busy with work and Gift wrapping etc !! Have fallen asleep instead of Dissing when I'm done with work and wrapping !!

Thanks Rosie How dare you fall asleep without coming on the DIS! Okay, okay. I understand all the wrapping and working. In fact, I should probably be wrapping right now instead of being on the DIS

Thought I'd share my great work day today though !! We had our annual Christmas Tea !! You see in England the Main Meal is around 1 pm and then around 5pm we have "Tea" Which is all finger foods such as little sandwiches, sausage rolls etc !! My staff made a bunch of different sandwiches and stuffed celery and olives and pickles , salami rolls, cheese and pepperoni plate with crackers and I made sausage rolls and Trifle !! Also had some Yummy store bought cookies !! I made a holiday punch too !! Everyone loved it and they wanted more of everything !! After dessert they did their Secret Santa Exchange and all had a great time !!

That Tea event sounds so cool! I hope the punch wasn't spiked.... but this IS Rosie we're talking about here

Our Christmas is pretty different because it starts on Christmas Eve. This is a "half holiday" meaning that shops etc are open in the morning, but close at 2 pm. Then most families will have a simple meal before they go to church. Traditionally church service would be around 6 pm, some churches have a family service before that. Very often a nativity play would be part of the church service. After you go home from church kids will be allowed for the first time that day to enter the living room and they will see the decorated tree for the first time then. And this is also when kids get their presents. Some families would then afterwards also go to the night service at church (which starts between 10pm and 12am, depending on the church).

Christmas day is nothing really special here. Most people would have a nice lunch, kids play with their presents, you go for a walk and maybe visit nearby relatives...

That's why when you say Christmas in Germany, you normally mean December 24th.

I wish our christmas had been like that when I was young. It'd be the best surprise to only see the tree the night you get to open presents. It would give much more appreciation for the whole event. But there's something I enjoy about decorating the tree along with the family.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is hard no matter how it happens. RIP Susie. She was a beautiful kitty.

Thank you. I really appreciate all the support.

Your trip sounds like lots of fun. Can't wait to hear more.

Sleeping*Beauty! That seems to be a common username. I almost confused you for Sleepingbooty

I love hearing about how others celebrate Christmas !! As a child we all went to church on Christmas morning and NO presents till afterwards !!!!!

Sadly I can't really remember how we celebrated Christmas when I was really young. All I can go by are the family videos where we're opening presents at night. I'm guessing that was Christmas Eve with relatives and then Christmas morning we'd open some more presents with just immediate family.

All caught up again! Some really fun updates. Loved the tour and insider dining review!!!

Glad to see you still around these parts.

Jen, so sorry you lost your cat! 18 years is a long time to have a friend who pretty much grew up with you!

I hope you will forgive my transgression of humor at this sad time for you, but when you said "she had become an old crotchedy cat" I just knew you were going to say her name was Rosie! (okay, everyone can attack my poor taste now, and hopefully you will forgive me Jen, but I just couldn't stop myself.....)

No offense taken! Not to worry Marv. You gotta laugh sometime! Plus, I find laughing helps heal the soul. Great joke by the way. I'm sure Rosie will love you for it

I love hearing about the different traditions too! I can't wait until our trip and touring the different countries in WS and listening to the Story Tellers for that very reason.

Oh you're going in January aren't you??? Lucky bum! Can't wait to hear about it.

 

[All7OfUs]

Just checking in to say hi, Jen! Hope you're having a wonderful holiday seaons so far.

 

[englishrose47]

Good One Marv !!Old and crothchety that sounds like me !!!Inever got coal in my stocking but I remember there was an orange and a nut , Mum said it was a Tradition but I have no idea what the significance was !!! I did in fact buy some cany coal to put in Steph's stocking she is sooo desrving

I also remember with HORROR the Christmas BIRD !!!! Which my Dad purchased each year at the Market ... the thing still had all it's feathers and he would pluck it the night before as soon as he got home from work !! I NEVER ate any poultry till I was an adult because of that!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Magdalene,
I want to thank you for all the German traditions and life in general informantion you have provided everyone not only here but on other threads as well. I often have wondered how German of a houshold I grew up in because I lost my Mother when I was 22 and well at that age I was more interested in other things than my German heritage.
I have to say the way Christmas is celebrated in Germany is very close to how I celebrated Christmas growing up. The only thing different is we would as a family decorate the Christmas tree. So we knew what the tree looked like but everything else is spot on as to how we would celebrate here. Even down to our church services we have a Christmas service with the school childeran and a late candlelit service too.
So thank you so much for providing all these wonderful memories of my childhood.
Oh do you also celebrate St Nick as well? Mine get there stockings today.

I am glad that I can help you reconnect with your German heritage! Actually, in my family, we decorated the tree together on the morning of the 24th, but most of my friends in school thought that this was very crazy. We loved it! But then we were sent out of the living room until after church. My father would then go in first and light the candles (we still use real ones) and then ring a little bell. Supposedly here in Germany the Christkind (the one with the market) brings the presents.

And of course we have Nikolaus day on December 6. We put our winter boots in front of the house door the evening before and then during the night St Nick comes and fills them with tangerines, nuts and candy. In catholic areas he is wearing his bishop outfit with the pointy hat, but in protestant areas he looks like Santa Claus (which he is, Claus is chort for Nikolaus...).

Thanks for the lesson Magdalene! I thought about you a few nights ago. They actually had a video clip from a German town (I missed which one) on our local news of a traditional Christmas cake that was being delivered on a truck. It was really large and it said everyone was waiting to share it. I looked at the name (and spelling) of the cake really well so I could remember it, but alas I should have written it down I guess.

I love hearing about the different traditions too! I can't wait until our trip and touring the different countries in WS and listening to the Story Tellers for that very reason.

I think the Story Tellers are a wonderful thing at Epcot! I am looking forward to read about the stories you bring back with you in your TR!

I think the Christmas cake this German town had must have been a Stollen. Did it look like a flat loaf of bread covered with powdered sugar?

I wish our christmas had been like that when I was young. It'd be the best surprise to only see the tree the night you get to open presents. It would give much more appreciation for the whole event. But there's something I enjoy about decorating the tree along with the family.

As I said above, our family was unusual because we actually decorated the tree together and Katharina and I loved that!

Oh yes Forgot we had Father Christmas who only filled your stocking (pillow case) and that was all I could look at before Church!!

How interesting that your pillow case was your stocking!!

 

[lovealldisney]

And of course we have Nikolaus day on December 6. We put our winter boots in front of the house door the evening before and then during the night St Nick comes and fills them with tangerines, nuts and candy. In catholic areas he is wearing his bishop outfit with the pointy hat, but in protestant areas he looks like Santa Claus (which he is, Claus is chort for Nikolaus...).

We never left our boots out for St Nick to fill, we hung stocking, but we received very much the same things, fruit, nuts and candy. Sometimes a little gift my mom would have made.
I couldn't imagine my son leaving out his boots! He has rather large feet it would take forever to fill them!
The kids did enjoy there stockings this year, yes I still fill them. My mom continued this with all her kids no matter how old they were and even if they were out of the house. Everyone got a stocking. Even spouses.

 

[marvali]

Glad to see you still around these parts.

I'm watching, always watching!!! Actually I am always close by, I just sometimes don't have the chance to respond suitably when I actually read the updates for the first time, so I keep up, just ninja fashion sometimes!

No offense taken! Not to worry Marv. You gotta laugh sometime! Plus, I find laughing helps heal the soul. Great joke by the way. I'm sure Rosie will love you for it

I was hoping you might see it that way. I know laughter helped get over the loss of my Mom, and talking about fond memories we each had. As for Rosie, she will probably be calling me a Cheeky Monkey again!!!

Oh you're going in January aren't you??? Lucky bum! Can't wait to hear about it.

Actually we leave three weeks from today!!!

Good One Marv !!Old and crothchety that sounds like me !!!Inever got coal in my stocking but I remember there was an orange and a nut , Mum said it was a Tradition but I have no idea what the significance was !!! I did in fact buy some cany coal to put in Steph's stocking she is sooo desrving

I also remember with HORROR the Christmas BIRD !!!! Which my Dad purchased each year at the Market ... the thing still had all it's feathers and he would pluck it the night before as soon as he got home from work !! I NEVER ate any poultry till I was an adult because of that!!

Great stories Rosie, although I think I know the significance of the NUT......

I think the Story Tellers are a wonderful thing at Epcot! I am looking forward to read about the stories you bring back with you in your TR!

Yeah, I hope the schedule works out where we see a few of them, if we can't catch them all.

I think the Christmas cake this German town had must have been a Stollen. Did it look like a flat loaf of bread covered with powdered sugar?

I guess so, since it was all white! Really hard to tell from the video. It was really large and they were carrying it on a rather ornate cart. The name was really long but Stollen may have been part of it.

How interesting that your pillow case was your stocking!!

Rosie had some really large legs back then......

 

[Flossbolna]

I guess so, since it was all white! Really hard to tell from the video. It was really large and they were carrying it on a rather ornate cart. The name was really long but Stollen may have been part of it.

Ok, then it might have been Weihnachtsstollen, Weihnachten is Christmas and we like to make long compound words. One that is very famous is Donaudampfschifffahrtskapitänswitwenrente, it means: pension for the widows of captains of the company operating steam ships on the Danube.

 

[englishrose47]

Well thank you all !!It seems it was a tangerine and nuts the tradition my mother told me about !! In England there was a lot of German influence in our History and I am guessing this was one !!!

Marv we hung a pillow case so we wood get more

Somehow I knew you would have a meaning to NUT!!!

 

[YukiPhnx]

My family never hung stocking and we never really believed in Santa Clause. I'm hoping to have stockings when I start my own family.

Rosie, speaking of the christmas bird, I'm going to make my first turkey this christmas! Any words of encouragement?

 

[jenbear123]

Just checking in to say hi, Jen! Hope you're having a wonderful holiday seaons so far.

Hi Liesa! So far the holiday season is going well. Been crazy busy trying to finish up all my merry shopping. And now, the weather has decided to mix it up a bit and dump snow on us. At least it makes the outside look pretty.

I also remember with HORROR the Christmas BIRD !!!! Which my Dad purchased each year at the Market ... the thing still had all it's feathers and he would pluck it the night before as soon as he got home from work !! I NEVER ate any poultry till I was an adult because of that!!

Gosh, I think anyone would be petrified after seeing anything like that! Unless you grew up a farmer or something.

And of course we have Nikolaus day on December 6. We put our winter boots in front of the house door the evening before and then during the night St Nick comes and fills them with tangerines, nuts and candy. In catholic areas he is wearing his bishop outfit with the pointy hat, but in protestant areas he looks like Santa Claus (which he is, Claus is chort for Nikolaus...)

Interesting how St. Nick dress differently based on the area he's in.

I'm watching, always watching!!!

Uh oh.

Actually I am always close by, I just sometimes don't have the chance to respond suitably when I actually read the updates for the first time, so I keep up, just ninja fashion sometimes!

That always happens to me. Sometimes I will read the update but can't write a reply. The worst part is that I forget to go back and reply when I finally do get the chance. There's just too many threads to keep up with And all of them are so good!

I was hoping you might see it that way. I know laughter helped get over the loss of my Mom, and talking about fond memories we each had.

Good memories are the best way to remember someone. Whenever someone is sick or dying (this might sound awful but please bear with me) I actually try to avoid seeing them in their final moments. Only because I want to remember them as they were when they were healthy. Not when they are so weak they don't even remember who I am.

Actually we leave three weeks from today!!!

So exciting!!!! Are you all prepared?

One that is very famous is Donaudampfschifffahrtskapitänswitwenrente, it means: pension for the widows of captains of the company operating steam ships on the Danube.

Good grief! Try saying that word three times fast

Well thank you all !!

We love you Rosie

Marv we hung a pillow case so we wood get more

Reminds me of halloween when I used to bring a garbage bag to get more candy

 

[jenbear123]

My family never hung stocking and we never really believed in Santa Clause. I'm hoping to have stockings when I start my own family.

Never believed in Santa! Naw, I'm only joking. I believed in Santa until I was around 8 years old when my Dad right out told me there's no such thing as Santa. I felt my heart silently break but got over it pretty quick. Once I realized my parents are "Santa" it made it easier to point out what I wanted

 

[PennyLane1084]

Subbing, better late than never right? Sorry to hear about your cat, Jen. I'm sure she's in Kitty heaven.

Anywho, love your TR so far. You two seems like fun gals. All your "Thumbs up" pics made me laugh because I often pose like this too.

Le Cellier looks sooo good. I really want to try it but it's a bit out of my price range. Maybe someday. I'm surprise you too were able to walk after that HUGE drink. I couldn't imagine going on Test Track drunk.

The Behind the Seeds tour looks really cool. The mickey shaped cucumbers were awesome.

Also Via Napoli also looks good, for the pizza at least. Margahrita pizza is my favorite, and that one looked delish! The ovens in that place are really cool too!

Can't wait to hear more about your trip.