.
The earliest written evidence of bells worn by livestock in Europe dates to the late 1300’s. In Germany at the time, a bell was first worn by only the most valuable cows in the herd. As time went on, farmers began to see the benefit in hearing not only where the livestock were, but the age or value of the cow by using differently tuned bells, based on their size. The larger the cow, the bigger the bell! And so, the majority of the heard wore cow bells during the warmer seasons while they were free to roam the Alps.
A very large bell has the deepest sound and was usually reserved for the lead cow. The use of cow bells for cattle also had other advantages, as the clatter of many bells warned off predators.
Every year during Autumn, all the livestock return from the high meadows to prepare for the colder months. This is referred to as Alpabzug. The best cows from each herd, also called Kranzkuh (Crowned Cow) lead the procession and are adorned with vibrant ornamental headwear. This traditional festival in Southern Germany in is known as Viehscheid or Almabtrieb, though has other names throughout the Alpine regions.
These traditions have been ongoing now for almost three hundred years, as the earliest of these festivals with decorated cows date back to the mid-18th century in Tyrol, Austria. Today, an Almabtrieb is one of the most unique cultural experiences in Germany to be a part of.
These days, the cow bell is an iconic symbol of the Alpine region and while still worn by cattle, has become a popular decorative piece for around the home or in a smaller form, a shiny accessory!
Cow bells will also make their appearance during sporting festivals throughout Europe and even Australia. Their loud clear notes, in many different octaves are the perfect "noise maker" to cheer on athletes. If you look closely during the Tour De France bystanders are often seen ringing these bells.
There are also traditional tuned cow bells (Alpenglocken), which are used as a musical instrument and typically come in one-octave sets, consisting of 13 differently tuned and sized bells.
Our cow bells range from adorable 2.5cm keyring accessories to authentic and rustic 23cm cow bells (bell width without the strap) with a traditional leather strap suitable for a large cow, and every size in between!
See our collection of Cow bells
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People all over the world have been enchanted for hundreds of years by the beauty of the Schwarzwald region and the local’s craftsmanship.The Black Forest is a international icon standing for traditional hand made products inspired by the local’s connection with their surrounding environment.
The Black Forest has influenced the work of many artists and engineers that grew up or passed through the Baden-Wüttemberg region. The native fauna and flora inspired wood carvers to showcase the natural wonder in wooden figurines or furniture.
The time keeping engineers in the Black Forest put their own unique twist on the weight driven clock movements, enhancing their bleak design with pine cone shaped waits and cuckoo bird calls on the hour. The German Clock Museum in Furtwangen showcases the history of the clock and watchmaker industry in Baden-Wüttemberg.
The forests in “Hansel and Gretel”, “Snow White”, and “Rapunzel” are based on the Black Forest. They are all German fairy tales. (more on this in another blog post next month!)
Beer steins are carved with scenes depicting hunters in the Black Forest with their hunters pouch, horn and hounds. During the winter hunters were often found inside tending to their preferred trade of either wood carving or pottery. It is no wonder that many works that come from Germany still show scenes and designs depicting hunting.
Cuckoo Clocks adorn wooden carved scenes of Chalets and life in the Black Forest during the 1700’s. Scenes of everyday life are carved exquisitely from native linden wood, the soft timber allowing wood carvers to obtain impressive detail in their work. Maidens ring bells, wood choppers cut wood and water wheels turn to the sound of the native song ‘Edelweiss’. It is truly remarkable how much of ones culture can be represented in a single product and piece of art.
The Black Forest (Schwarzwald in German) was originally named by the Romans, who remarked at the natives forest dark green canopy. The romans originally called the forest “silva Nigra” which means “Black Forest” in Latin. The Black Forest region has snow capped mountains in winter, rivers and waterfalls flow during summer, Meadows filled with wild flowers in spring and the deciduous trees glow yellow, red and gold in autumn.
There are many historic towns that draw tourist every year in the Black Forest region. These include Baden-Baden, Freiburg, Haslach and Altensteig. Some of these villages are hundreds of years old and have inspired many fantasy tales in stories.
Black Forest gâteau (British English) and Black Forest cake (American English) are the English names for the German dessert Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, literally “Black Forest cherry-torte”, where it originated.
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Germany is famous for a lot of things, its food and drink (pretzels, gingerbread, pork hock), its traditional dress (lederhosen and dirndl’s), its celebrations (Oktoberfest and Christmas Markets) but also for its natural and man made wonders!
In this blog post, I am focusing on the glorious ALPINE REGION of Germany! Think ‘Sound of Music’, cows grazing in meadows, spectacular valleys with waterfalls streaming off the side of the mountains in summer. There is so much to be in awe of when it comes to the German Bavarian Alps. The Bavarian Alps boarders the southern boarder of Germany and the northern boarder of Austria.
The Bavarian Alps (Bayerische Alpen) represents a collection of mountain ranges in Southern Germany. The alps were heavily influenced by the last ice age. Lakes and valleys were formed by massive glaciers that used to exist in this part of Germany.
Zugspitze Massif is the highest mountain in Germany with its peak standing 2,962 m above sea level!
The fauna and flora you could expect to see in Bavarian Alps are diverse and well protected in Germany. Generally, you will see that forests have a mix of different types of trees. You would see several Conifer types – Beech, Elm and Ash, as well as Dwarf Pine. Furthermore, hundreds of different species of Alpine flowers carpet the meadows.
Some of the different types of animals you may see in the Alpine region of Germany are Red Deer, Snow Hares, European Golden Eagle and Marmots (a small, herbivorous rodent).
Living within the German Alps is one thing, but traversing this impressive landscape is entirely another. And much travelling would have been done by foot in past, where finding safe paths between villages was important. One might imagine these travelers would travel with their harmonica’s (a conveniently small and lightweight instrument) to bring some entertainment to their long journey.
Later, in the late 1800’s, railroads begun to appear in the alpine region. A famous railroad house architect, Friedrich Eisenlohr (1805-1854), in fact designed a Cuckoo Clock style of his own called Bahnhäusle (a train station style). Eisenlohr was responsible for creating buildings along the Rhine valley railway. He used inspiration from his railroad guard’s residence designs. He adorned the clock face with wild grape vines which were the material and detailing he used on the railroad houses. His design won the competition and became an instant hit!
Click on the images below to see our Harmonica's and Cuckoo Clock Collection!
Every season has something to offer in the Bavarian Alps. In autumn, the forest is a sea of reds, oranges and yellows as the leaves start to turn. Covering the slopes of the mountains, the forests glow golden in the evening sun. Winter brings thick blankets of snow that cover the mountains. Ski lodges come alive as locals take to the slopes!
Spring is a time for festivals as the snow melts and the meadows smell crisp and sweet! You will spot fields of alpine wild flowers like the famous Edelweiss, covering the floor of valleys and meadows. In summer, waterfalls cascade down the sides of the mountains making for a spectacular sight!
When people think of Germany, they often recall common Iconic festivals like the Oktoberfest or traditional items like beer steins and cuckoo clocks. These are specific to Southern Germany and Bravaria and the impact these traditions have had on the world is truely outstanding.
It's worth exploring what events brought such iconic items like the Cuckoo Clock into existence. Was it purely creativity? Was it luck and chance? was it carefully calculated? Let's look at the humble beginnings of what has become a world renowned house hold favourite for generations.
The cuckoo clock was believed to be first invented in the 1700's, but its worth reflecting on the 100's years that came before to set the stage of how truely innovative and remarkable this item was.
Between 1618-1648 Germany was stuck in a terribly unstabalising and unrelenting war named The Thirty Years War. The war and its soldiers ravaged the land and its citizens spreading the plague (which you can read more about here), plundering food stocks and animals on farms and killing millions of people. It took generations for the people of Germany to fully recover.
The North and South Germany differ in their culture but also their natural resources. Northern Germany was much richer in natural resources then the southern states. They had a vast agricultural industry and they mined rich coal and iron deposits.
In Southern Germany the sates were quite poor in natural resources. The alpine environment didn't harbour the right terrain or climate for commercial agriculture or mining operations. They instead fostered small "cottage industries", which was a collection of individuals manufacturing and producing goods from home, a style of manufacturing that was revisited recently during the covid-19 pandemic when workers were not allowed to work together in factories. For a period of time they were making your cuckoo clocks from home!
Cottage Industries allowed hunters and farmers to earn their regular living during the summer and during winter when it was too cold to be outside in the Alps, they could produce smaller goods indoors. It was during the winter in the Alps that the world renowned craftsmanship of German wood carving and clock movement engineering began. It was these skills, learned inside the protective walls of the alpine chalet's during winter and refined over 100's of years that kick started Southern Germany's economy.
The early 1800's were also fraught with severe drought and famine. Dry seasons and cold unforgiving winters made farming and other agriculture an unreliable income. With no other large industries to support the area the locals were in desperate need to find new areas of revenue for the region.
The Switzerland government supported and encouraged the timer industry to liaise with the traditional wood carvers of the area. And so the early 1800’s saw the beginning of the professional wood carving industry and commercialisation of hand crafted products in the Alpine region.
Fast forward to the late 1800’s and wood carving schools were founded in southern Germany and Switzerland. By this time there were Black Forest wood carvings being exhibited in major exhibitions around the world.
Wood Carving is no easy feat and often only the wealthy would adore these exquisite carvings of black forest animals, furniture and eventually clocks in their homes.
You can read more about the intricacies of wood carving and types of timber in our other Blog post - Click the button below to read more!
While Cuckoo Clocks are still one of the most common take home souvenirs from the Black Forest region, this last year has tested the resilience of the local economy.
After being in constant contact with our Cuckoo Clock suppliers in the Black Forest over the past 18 months it has been a pleasant surprise to hear the owners positive attitude and "this too shall pass" mentality. Having to carve clocks from their homes due to restrictions didn't seem to phase the wood carvers. Just like in the 1700-1800's, craftsmanship was done at home, in the Chalet's during the depths of winter. This traditional method was revisited and nothing seemed too out of place for them as they simply "got on with it".
I think the resilience of the German people and their innovation during hardship have them well placed to come through this pandemic. As one of the owners said to me recently in an email, they are looking forward to a "beer garden summer". I think we all can say "Prost" (cheers) to that!
The struggles and concerns brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic brings about an excellent opportunity to reflect on what hardship our ancestors endured. We think a little reflection might be the best medicine right now. So here at The German Village Shop we are stepping back and looking at the lessons that can be learned from our German ancestors.
While we may feel isolated and separated from those that we love, we are lucky to have the technology that we do. We can keep ourselves entertained and talk to our friends and family instantly.
There have been many times in our German ancestor’s history that this has not been the case. Disasters have separated our ancestors from one another and had to persevere through those times with arguably more uncertainty and risk of death than any of us could imagine.
While most of us can think of dark times that were orchestrated by humans such as the wars and the construction of the Berlin wall. These not only physically separated loved ones, but persecuted people for living their lives.
But there have been other times throughout history that have forced our ancestors (and close relatives) to drastically change their lives, due to the unexpected wrath of nature.
Natural disasters are not new to human history (The volcanic disaster of Pompeii in 79 AD and the largest earthquake ever recorded in Chile 1960 spring to mind). So let’s take a look at a few of the most devastating natural disaster effecting our ancestors in Germany.
A more recent event that affected most of northern Germany was the freak winter storm of ’78-’79, which forged friendships among strangers and tested the patience of most civilians.
An unusual mix of humid Atlantic air with the normal frigid winter, caused temperatures to drop by 30 degrees in only a matter of hours, bringing with it a snowstorm. Metres of snow fell, from the northern tip of Germany, all the way to Berlin.
Roads and train lines were completely blocked, houses were isolated and power shortages were happening all over the country. However, that wasn’t the end of it, an icy wind brought another ice storm in from the Baltic coast, causing widespread flooding and destroying most ports. Northern Germany was isolated from each other, and from neighbouring countries.
It was this extensive isolation and danger that caused people to work together. Groups of strangers left the (relative) comfort of their homes to dig out neighbours’ houses, share supplies and clear roads. Civilians worked together with the military to make areas accessible, while helicopters were brought in to rescue or give supplies to those most isolated.
While reading this, you may think that it was nothing like experiences today, seemingly on-going and never ending? Reports say that snow was still falling and causing road blockages until May! That was six months of cold, miserable and uncomfortable isolation for some people.
We can draw lessons here for 'helping your neighbour'. That enduring some additional personal suffering for yourself for the benefit of your neighbour was not only noble but indeed the favour may one day be returned when needed. We can bet it was the togetherness of the neighbourhoods who helped people survive through those long and cold days.
It hasn’t just been weather phenomenon’s that have caused Germany trouble over the centuries. A tragic tale that we know quite well here at The German Village Shop, caused a permanent change to how Germans lived. You may also know the story if you have read our previous blog about the history of beer steins.
It was the bubonic plague that forced the government to change how people drank. We might have to cover our faces, but historic Germans had to cover their beer!
Almost 1/3 of the entire population in Europe died during the bubonic plaque!
The bubonic plague, also known as The Black Death, was a global pandemic that hit Europe and Asia in the 1300’s, killing almost a third of the entire population on the continent – over 20 million people. It was a devastating disease that could kill overnight, and medicine was not as sophisticated as today. Doctors in fact stopped trying to treat the disease, refusing to see patients, while priests stopped giving last rights and shopkeepers shut their doors.
While we know now that it was spread through air as well as flea or rat bites (common in that era), many uneducated Europeans thought it was “instant death upon a sick man’s spirit leaving the eyes and infecting the healthy”. While others thought it to be due to uncleanliness.
Times were tough in Germany at that time, surrounded by many other infected countries as well as being a busy port for trade. Animals were also not immune to the disease, so people not only losing their entire families, but also their food supply or entire livelihoods.
It was many years before the plague had run its course through Europe, still waves affecting parts of the world up to fifty years later. During this time, the German Government spread word that all public spaces must be cleansed and kept clean, this included keeping insects (growing more by the day, due to the rise in deaths) out of food and beer – hence the lids on all beer steins.
People were told to isolate and keep their distance, markets were sparce and deliveries of goods prevailed. Once they also discovered that infected people were arriving by ship, entire ship crews were forced to isolate for 30 days upon arrival. Sound familiar?
We count ourselves lucky that we are in situations where we have relative comfort and care, our ancestors have not been so lucky. However, it was times like the Winter of 1978 where we see people come together through the difficult times to help each other.
If you feel isolated, remember to reach out, we have the technology - unlike our ancestors. Draw comfort that our families have been through worse before and endured to enable you to be where you are today! We will get through the tough times and people may write about us and how we persevered.
Here are a few German phrases to pass on to your loved ones during these uncertain times:
This literally translates to "always with tranquility", a beautiful reminder how we should be striving to conduct ourselves during these times, despite the stress and worry.
The words "Stay Healthy" have probably been used more in the last 18 months than ever before in our lives. Its nice to be reminded of the most important aspect of living, which is health!
This saying will suit us in Australia quite nicely, it means to say "we are made of sterner stuff" and actually directly translates to weeds don't die (which I am sure any avid gardener would attest to the perservence and fortitude of weeds in their lawn or garden!). This saying is a humorous reminder of our strength and can be delivered with a 'wink'.
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The enchanting town of Hahndorf is recognised as one of the oldest surviving German settlements in Australia.
The first and traditional owners of the Hahndorf, and surrounding areas, were the Peramangk people. The Indigenous Australians have been the traditional custodians of the land for over 60,000 years. Hahndorf was traditionally called ‘Bukartilla’ which translates to ‘deep pool’. The Hahndorf area was an important water and food source for the Paramangk people. The Paramangk people and the settlers had reportable few serious conflicts between the communities, with records demonstrating that the Paramangk people taught the settlers how to utilise the natural resources around them, including how to catch possums and where to find edible native foods and plants.
In December 1838, 38 Lutheran families (fleeing persecution from Prussia and East Germany) arrived in Adelaide aboard a ship called the Zebra, which as captained by a Dane called Captain Hahn. Captain Hahn negotiated on behalf of the German families and secured a lease of 60 hectares of land in the surrounding Adelaide Hills. It was a 2 month walk to reach their new home and in early 1839 they founded their settlement. Nestled in the Adelaide hills, the area mimics the beautiful scenery, weather and feel of their homeland - Germany. In honour of their Danish sea captain they named the town Hahndorf (Hahn’s village).
Hahndorf is Australia's oldest surviving German Settlement, with many of the original settler’s ancestors still living in there today.
Life in the small but growing community was based heavily around the Lutheran church. By the 1850's, the primitive huts were giving way rapidly to the traditional fachwerk style of farmhouse and barn imported from Germany, together with stone churches, schools, and hotels.
During wartime, the German community of Hahndorf suffered persecution once more. As a result, many Germans decided to anglicise their names, particularly those that joined the Australian Army and between 1917 - 1935 Hahndorf was renamed Ambleside. Lutheran schools were also closed in South Australia by Act of Parliament in 1917. In 1936 the ‘Hahndorf’ name was restored to mark South Australia's centennial year.
One might be familiar with the works of famous artist Wilhelm Ernst ‘Hans’ Franz Heysen (1877-1968) also known as “Hans Heysen”. A German born South Australian who became famous for his Australian landscape artwork. His property called “The Cedars” is located just outside the township of Hahndorf and is open to visitors. His daughter Nora Heysen who was born in Hahndorf in 1911 and went on to become the first woman to win the prestigious Archibald prize in 1938, for portraiture. Her works and studio can also viewed at the homestead.
Behind the bustling Main Street, filled with cafes, wine, German food, retail stores and art galleries, is a strong knit community comprised of some of original settler families and, relatively speaking, ‘newcomers’ to our fabulous town.
In August 2004, Hahndorf was placed on the National Trust of Australia's list of Endangered Places. Today we still honour our shared Indigenous and German history in this wonderful town of Hahndorf.
Hahndorf, situated in the picturesque Adelaide Hills, offers something special every season! Summer is the perfect time for outdoor dining and trying an assortment of German beer, finishing off the day with some locally made ice cream. Hahndorf really puts on a show in Autumn, the main street lined with gorgeous trees turning red and gold. Winter is the easiest excuse to snuggle up with a hot chocolate or some warm Gluhwein (mulled wine). With numerous cafes supporting open fires, it’ll be hard to leave. Spring is the perfect time to try crisp white wines from the local winery's, enjoyed with a cheese platter, from the towns cheesemakers. Or even strawberry picking, only a few minutes’ walk from town centre.
Hahndorf is a perfect spot to visit on any occasion or season, with accommodation all within walking distance of the main street. Situated in the heart of the Adelaide Hills, it is not only a place where you can spend days wandering up and down the Main Street, but also to use as a base to visit so many wonderful sites.
We are the MUST SEE of the Adelaide hills!
]]>Do something a little different this winter school holidays. Make traditional German decorations for your Christmas in July, which can then be reused in December!
These little birds are easy to make (with a little supervision) and can be adapted to any size and can be used with practically anything as the wings.
For traditional walnut doves, you will need:
Method
Trace and cut a bird shape out of the felt. Hole punch a small hole for the ribbon.
Let the creativity commence! Use markers to draw on the eyes and decorations for the bird. Don’t forget to decorate both sides.
Have an adult help hot glue the two halves of the walnut shell to either side of the bird.
String the ribbon through the hole and tie in a knot. Time to hang on the tree.
Extra fun: For a little more adventure, let the kids go exploring to try and find other ideas for wings. Feathers and leaves make nice additions, and why not add a small twig to glue to the dove’s mouth.
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For the older ones (or even yourself), try making some traditional beaded snowflakes. You can make them whatever colour you like, but pearl or gold beads reflect the light beautifully.
You will need:
Method:
Cut your cork into small rounds approximately 1cm thick.
Thread beads onto sewing pins
Carefully stick pins into the edges of cork
Repeat around the edge of the cork until you have a full star or snowflake.
Tie the string around the base of one of the pins and tie the end in a knot.
Hang on the tree with your Walnut doves and some bright ribbon bows.
Go all out! Tie your snowflakes together on one long string to have long strands of snowflake flurries. These can be tied up around the house, not only on the tree.
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Lambs symbolise many things during Easter; the turn of winter into spring, new young life and in some forms of Christianity, lamb was sacrificed as Passover for the last supper.
It is no wonder that Germany has taken on the lamb as a symbol, in the form of cake. In most bakeries you will find Lamb cakes in all sizes, covered in powered sugar, lemon glaze or surrounded in chocolate and lollies.
To create your own lamb cake, you can carve your own from layers of cake, however the easiest is to buy a Lamb shaped cake tin. These have been around for many years, a quick google search and you will come across many vintage Lamb cake tins, as well as thousands of brand-new ones.
125 g butter
100 g honey
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
125 g ground almonds
200 g flour
1.5 tsp baking powder
125 ml milk
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As we know Germans know how to celebrate and Easter is no exception to the traditional crafting, baking & family centred festivities that make us love German culture so much.
Celebrating Easter the German way means spending the lead up to Easter preparing food and decorations for the celebration held on Easter Sunday. It should come as no surprise that German Easter traditions have been adopted elsewhere in the world just like their famous Christmas celebrations. Let’s dive in and look into the history of easter and its celebrations in Europe and what a typical traditional German Easter would entail.
Download your very own German Easter Traditions check list below!
The 4 day Easter weekend (Good Friday (Karfreitag), Easter Saturday (Ostersamstag), Easter Sunday (Ostersonntag) and Easter Monday (Ostermontag)) is determined by the moon cycles. Accurately it is the first Sunday after the first full moon, after the vernal Equinox.
Easter is held in Spring in the northern hemisphere and many of the traditions stem from Earth’s rebirth from the end of the dark cold winter. For those who did Lent it celebrates the end of ‘going without’ which for many are sweet things, hence the provision of a hefty amount of sweets at easter!
The egg was a symbol of rebirth in Christianity but has also stood for fertility and renewal since the ancient Greeks. Painting wooden or hard boiled eggs has been a popular German Easter tradition for many centuries. Children are often involved in the painting, hiding and hunting for Easter eggs at Easter time. The painted Easter eggs are used over Easter for many different traditions and celebrations such as hanging in trees (see more about Osterbaum below), the famous egg run and decorating the dining table.
But where did the easter bunny come from? The Easter rabbit (der Osterhase) was first mentioned by Georg Franck von Franckenau in 1682 who wrote a book called “De ovis paschalibus – von Oster-Eyern”. This is the first time a rabbit was used in the tale of hiding easter eggs for the children. Interestingly the Germans also used other animals (up until the early 1800’s) such cuckoo birds, foxes and chickens to hide the eggs. Biscuits and breads in the shape of rabbits were soon followed, in the 20th century, by hollow chocolate easter bunnies which are still a crowd pleaser at easter today.
Just like Christmas and the Germans history of creating Christmas Trees (Tannenbaum), Easter also has its own symbolic tree (Osterbaum). German traditionally hang decorated eggs from the branches of a living tree making an enchanting decoration in the garden and community parks. You can also take a branch into your home and decorate this with easter eggs tied up with ribbon. The eggs used are either wooden, plastic or hollow egg shells that have all been painted with bright colours.
We decorated our own Easter tree this year at The German Village Shop in Hahndorf!
As we know water is essential to life and the Germans made sure to honour it by decorating their fountains at Easter time. They would often also clean the town wells as they came into spring. It was said that Easter water had healing properties and were used for all sorts of superstitious rituals like sprinkling water onto your eyes for good eye sight. The symbol of water and fertility goes deeper into older traditions where young women on easter morning would go to the local stream or well to collect water to sprinkle on her lover in hope of a wedding soon! This has transitioned into drinking Schnapps (Osterwasser) on easter morning with your friends!
Lamb Cake (See link to recipe below)
Lambs are symbolic in christian culture and represent humility and innocents. Often lamb cake or lamb bread is baked to eat on easter Sunday as well as a lamb roast.
Click on the button below to see our Lamb Bread recipe!
Chocolate eggs
They were often home made with different chocolate and moulds but otherwise local brands like kinder and Lindt chocolate made a perfect choice!
Short bread biscuits: Recipe coming soon!!
German Hefezopf
A yeast based plaited bread traditionally with raisins (not too dissimilar to our hot cross buns!) is served on Easter Sunday.
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When it comes to master wood carving and time keeping engineering, Hones Uhren is known as the “Rolls-Royce” of Cuckoo Clocks. Hones are known and respected as one of Germany’s most famous Black Forest Cuckoo Clock manufactures. Hones specialised clock carvings are really something to marvel at. The wood carving doesn’t just resemble iconic phesants, hares, black forest hunter apparel or traditional chalets but actually comes to life! The life like appearance stimulates your imagination of what life might have been like in the 1700’s living in the Black Forest. The clocks becomes more than a symbol of 1700’s Germany but rather a living tribute to the features and iconic elements of that time. Hones clock carvings will truly take your breath away!
Hones was founded in 1950 by master clock maker Daniel Hones. Later only (in 1984) Wolfgang Trenkle took over his successful small business and grew the workshop to what it is today. Hones work shop is located near Titisee in the Black Forest in south western Germany. Thy proudly source domestically grown and manufactured materials for their wood carving and clock movement construction.
Hones is a certified member of the VDS (Verein Die Schwarzalduhr or Black Forest Clock Association). Hones Cuckoo Clocks have distinct features which make them recognisable. The first is the Company logo placed on the dial instead of the number 12. More famously however, is their exquisite and ornate master carvings which make them visibly distinct from other Cuckoo Clock companies from the Black Forest.
Justin Lang (owner and director of The German Village Shop) had the privilege of meeting with the owners of Hones and seeing their workshop and craftmanship firsthand. Their workshop is located in Titisee in the Black Forest. Justin was so impressed with the quality of their craftsmanship, integrity and passion that he simply had to have these clocks in our shop in Hahndorf South Australia.
Justin imports cuckoo clocks from Hones Germany so everyone can enjoy these prestigious wood carved time pieces in their home!
These cuckoo clocks, exquisitely hand crafted by Hones clock makers are a feature in our shop, located in Hahndorf South Australia. We arrange these unique pieces of art work to be custom made to order, as they should be! You can purchase them online and we arrange their creation in Germany and then organise the shipping to us in Hahndorf where we inspect your Cuckoo Clock before sending it on to your home.
Traditional Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks are hand carved from Lindenwood (also known as Basswood) from the Linden tree, which is part of the lime tree family. These trees are native to northern Europe and are perfect to whittle or carve, as their grain does not split or run.
A carpenter selects the correct timber for the shape and size clock, using power tools to cut approximate sizes needed. They then cut and assemble the main box/case and backplate that the clock movements are housed in.
The sheets of timber are passed onto the wood carvers, while the completed box is sent to the painters.
Along with small table saws and chisels, stencilled paper designs are part of the carver’s tools. These designs help keep consistency and speed up the carving process. They are laid out on the timber received from the carpenter and the designs are transferred to the timber. A table bandsaw is used to cut out the basic shape, (this is the last time a power tool is used on the timber) from there, the three-dimensional designs are carved with chisels.
On chalet designs, separate pieces of wood are carved into figurines, deer heads, waterwheels, and other scenery items.
Some specialist carvers will only carve certain features, such as the people or the leaf and deer shapes.
Once all parts are carved and completed, they are sent to the painters.
Read more about the history of the Wood Carving industry in The Black Forest.
Click the button below to learn more!
While most Cuckoo Clocks are a rich dark colour, natural Lindenwood is a light pine colour. This means that every part of the clock must be stained or painted before being lacquered. Some types of clocks (especially on chalet styles) show the original colour of the wood. Figurines and scenery items are painted in muted colours, usually showing the natural grain underneath, while most of the clock is stained a chocolate brown.
Once the painting and staining has been completed, it is left to dry before the scenery and decorative carvings are glued and coated with clear lacquer. Any figurines or parts that require movement are lacquered independently and given to the clockmaker separately from the assembled clock.
Once all the decorative parts have been cut, painted, glued, and lacquered it is time for the clock maker to put together the working parts that make a Cuckoo Clock, a clock.
The internals are different for modern Cuckoo clocks, which are battery operated compared to the traditional mechanical clocks and require different skills to assemble each type of clock.
Battery operated require the battery terminals, the volume/power switch, the moving Cuckoo bird, a light sensor plus all the cables to connect each part to the power. If music is involved, the extra music box and dancing terminals are added.
Mechanical clocks are a little more involved and need knowledge of how each part is connected to the main mechanism. The main plate containing all the cogs and wheels is centred in the case, with metal wires connecting to any moving parts (such as the beer drinkers or rocking horse), as well as connecting to the bird and the door. Chains are wound around the cogs that control the time, cuckoo bird, and any music box.
Cuckoo clocks are handmade with high quality materials by skilled craftsmen who take pride in their artistry. However sometimes human error occurs, that is why all Cuckoo Clocks undergo a final check and trial operation before leaving the workshop.
Clocks are packed in the workshop, using thick corrugated card and foam to pad the delicate carvings as well as wires to hold the whistle bellows and chains from moving. The clocks fit very snug into their packaging to stop any movement during the long weeks to their final destination.
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The craftsmanship of wood carving is a traditional skill which put the Black Forest area famously on the world map.
The early 1800’s saw the beginning of the wood carving industry in southern Germany and Switzerland. The kick start to the wood carving industry was believed to be brought on my a severe drought and famine which caused a desperate need to find new areas of revenue for the region. The Switzerland government supported and encouraged the timer industry to liaise with the traditional wood carvers of the area. Fast forward to the late 1800’s and wood carving schools were founded in southern Germany and Switzerland. By this time there were Black Forest wood carvings being exhibited in major exhibitions around the world.
Wood Carving is no easy feat and often only the wealthy would adore these exquisite carvings of black forest animals, furniture and eventually clocks in their homes.
Linden trees (Tiliae lignum)
Lindent trees are commonly found throughout southern Germany and Switzerland. They are part of the lime tree family. The lime tree typically is a light coloured, soft wood with very little grain. The wood has an appropriate density for many types of carving techniques. They are usually big trees so are a popular choice for larger pieces. This wood is typically used for Cuckoo Clock carvings:
See our exquisite Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks featuring the traditional wood carving craftsmanship!
Pear (Pyrus Cummunis)
Also known as the European pear tree, this tree is smaller then the linden tree but has similar density and lack of grain. Because the trees are smaller their wood is more sparse and would be resolved for more finer carvings.
Maple (Acer Pseudoplantus)
The maple tree is another light coloured wood however the pattern of grain is more pronounced. The pattern and texture of the wood allows it to be the perfect material for achieving a more realistic finish for the illusion of fur or movement in a piece. Carvers would often use particular chisel strokes and techniques to enhance this natural feature of the wood.
Walnut (Juglans regia)
Walnut is the most expensive type of wood types used for Black Forest carvings. It is easily identified by it characteristic grains and wood inclusions.
The wood choice is very important. It was said that German wood carvers would go ‘tree hunting’ in the Black Forest. They would harvest trees in the winter so they were in a dormant state when cut down, reducing the amount of excess moisture content in the branches and leaves. The wood carvers would also look for trees which are growing in the shade of other larger trees. These linden trees would be smaller and would have suffered stunted growth from lack of sunlight, this meant that the tree rings would be closer together and the wood be more denser and stable for carving.
Black Forest carvers are typically of forest or alpine animals. You can find animals with a humours twist such s bears smoking pipes or reading books!
Birds, deer, bears and Saint Bernard dogs are common carvings. Cuckoo Clocks usually contain animals common to the Black Forest farm chalet such as pine trees, deer, foxes, dogs, roosters etc. They also commonly carve daily alpine scenes from the 1800’s like hunters and clock peddler.
See our Figurines for sale
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Germany loves to celebrate, any excuse to eat, drink and enjoy times with friends. It is no surprise then, that they have a whole season dedicated to festivities; carnival (or the 5th season). Carnival begins on the 11th of November at exactly 11 minutes and 11 seconds past 11am. While the reason behind this timing is not recorded, it is widely believed that eleven is an unlucky number. The carnival season is to ward off bad luck during the dark winter months.
Carnival is an unusual season, as it encompasses many different festivals all over Germany during winter, put pauses for the Christmas season. However the most unique festival during this season is the final festival – The Black Forest Festival. A week long celebration beginning the Thursday before Lent (11th-16th February in 2021)
Like most celebrations, the history stems back from medieval times, where weather, food and religion controlled much of day-to-day life. The carnival season is the lead up to Lent, a 40 day reflection where no festivities are celebrated and fasting is encouraged. The festival is the final hurrah of the season, as the winter is ending. Where before modern-day food storage was available, people would consume the last of their perishable foods as the fasting season started.
Festivities such as these were commonplace, but what set the Black Forest Festival apart was the introduction of the evil spirits, and the parades to banish such spirits from the Germans lives.
It is not known exactly when or why the figures of evil witches, beasts and even jesters started appearing. Some believe it was the combination of the joy of the festival and the disappointment in the fasting to come, which created a rift. Others believe it was to cast aside the winter cold and darkness away as the season ended. The religious side shows the difference between the temptations of sins, gluttony, and the fasting of Lent to thank Jesus for his suffering.
This may be why that every province has different figures and costumes that appear. However, it is not uncommon for evil spirits to find themselves in German traditions.
You can read more on our blog about Nutcrackers and how they supposably are wards against evil in the home.
Also known as Fastnacht, Weiberfastnacht or Swabian-Alemannic carnival in different parts of the country, the name is not only difference in the festival throughout Germany, each city or province that celebrates Fastnacht has different customs and traditions.
Areas of northern Germany or outside of the Black Forest region celebrate Fastnacht with the usual drinking, eating and dancing, which can last all throughout the nights. The closer to the Black Forest and Bavarian area you get, the more customs are integrated into the festival.
Street parties and parades make up most of the celebrations, with all restaurants and pubs open 24 hours during the whole week. Children and adults alike do not attend school or work during this week.
Parades are made up of mostly people dressed in elaborate costumes, traditional hand carved and painted wooden masks are passed down the family for generations and worn in groups. Witches, demons, spirits, and scary bear like animals are common sights. Most costumes are adorned with bells, whips, and balloons to make noise to “scare away” evil spirits.
The town of Rottweil is said to be one of the best parades to witness, with over 4000 dancing jesters and a traditional devil character. While the village of Waldkirch has a Witch Parade (Hexensabbat) that is completed with bonfires and witches on broomsticks.
An unusual tradition in Schramberg has these characters, not parading but swiftly rushing down a river in wooden bathtubs.
Beuel are the founders of the separate custom of women cutting men’s neck ties (if they are silly enough to wear one during the festival) and stealing them with a kiss on the cheek. This tradition comes from the washer women who never could participate in the festivities because they spent their time washing the costumes of the revellers and destroyed clothes in protest.
Bonfires, burning ceremonies and parades of up to 80,000 people are common during the festival. The mix of music, costumes, drinking, and feasting is a sight to behold.
The Black Forest Festival is celebrated in most major cities, however to experience the real joy of the festival, it is worth visiting the Black Forest area and enjoying each unique tradition to the region.
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A beer stein is a traditional mug made in Germany, most beer steins are made from German clay or glass, with pewter lids. However they can also be made from porcelain, wood, silver, crystal glass or stoneware. Most people will associate a German beer stein with the decorative carved clay mug with a hinged pewter lid or the glass tankards used at Oktoberfest.
Here at the German Village shop, we sell a range of decorative clay beer steins, made in the Westerwald area of Germany.
The direct translation for stein in English is stone, because of the traditional stone/clay that they are made from. But their technical name is Steinzeugkrug (Stoneware Jug), Bierkrug (Beer Jug) or just Krug (Jug). Oktoberfest tankards are also often referred to as Másskrug (Beer mug).
There is a long history about the steins, what they are made of and how they have evolved over the centuries. Which you can read about here. But lids did not start appearing on German steins until the Bubonic plague swept through Europe (in the 1300s), where insects appeared in their millions and attracted to the sweet smelling beer. The government decreed that all drinking establishments had to cover their stoneware with lids to prevent spread of disease.
As stated above, traditional steins can be made from many different types of stoneware, glass, porcelain, wood or crystal glass. However most associate the traditional style with the oven kilned clay, which is mined in Germany, carved and painted. It is coated with a glaze, inside and out (which allows it to be drunk from hygienically) then finished with a shaped pewter lid. The lid is melted to the stoneware with a hinge and thumb lift (to allow for one handed drinking).
Read more about how German Beer Steins are crafted in blog post ~ Click the button below!
Decorative beer steins have to be thick enough to engrave into, or use extra materials to build out from the thin layer of the “cup”. Clay itself is not light, and when you add the extra thickness plus a pewter lid, the weight does add up. The larger the stein or the more engraving and details, the more materials are required. Glass or clay, the German’s like their inventions to last, they are made to be durable and less likely to break. If you see a server carrying multiple full German steins at once, appreciate the arm strength it takes.
Firstly, yes, you definitely can drink from them. Click Here for our “How to take care of your German Beer Stein” pamphlet, which instructs on how to clean your stein and the drinks that are safe for the materials.
In Germany, clay steins are not nearly as common to drink from as glass open lidded steins, such as the Hofbrauhaus glass steins seen at Oktoberfest, but people still do. Steins became a more collectable item after glass blowing was invented, to signify a special occasion or achievement.
Read more about the History of Beer Steins in our blog post ~ Click the button below!
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: Many people assume the lid on most beer steins was to keep beer colder. While this is a wonderful side effect, it was not originally designed for that (see reason above). The two main reasons why beer steins (glass or clay) keep beer colder is their design and materials. Steins are unique that they have a handle attached to the glass, this means that your hand does not touch the container and does not transfer heat into the beer, like a normal drinking glass. Also the thickness of the stein works as an insulator, to keep the beer at the poured temperature much longer. We definitely should be utilising the German ingenuity in our hot Australian summers. So if you’re asked; “Why use a beer stein?” “Because it keeps your beer cold”
How big is your stein? We sell a range of steins from 300ml to over 3L (you can also see the world’s largest beer stein in store – 12 Litres) However the standard stein you would drink from at Oktoberfest celebrations is roughly 2 pints (just over a litre). Be careful though, the amount poured into the stein isn’t always accurate.
Click the button below to view our range of Beer Steins of various sizes!
Unfortunately, this is not a straightforward answer, usually our answer is “it depends”. Beer steins have been made for hundreds of years from many different materials and from many different makers. Most of our beer steins are Limited Edition, made by reputable businesses within Germany, using only high quality materials. Therefore, they are worth more than “mass produced” beer steins, machine made or steins made outside of Germany. Significant makers in history or one-off steins are worth more to collectors due their rarity and collectability.
We get this question a lot. Many people inherit steins from their parents or grandparents without knowing their value. The best way to check any item’s value is to have it assessed by an independent estimator who has a background in drinkware, stoneware or Germany history. However, you can get rough estimates by checking whether your stein is a mass produced, or produced by a rare manufacturer by looking at the maker’s mark.
On the bottom of the stein should be engraved, stamped or inked with a symbol and/or letters. These symbols represent the company or maker of the individual stein. You can correspond the makers mark with the extensive range at http://www.steinmarks.co.uk/ they have put together a wonderful collection of European stein marks.
While most steins are made in Germany, there is a large market of machine made and mass produced replicas in the market. Most authentic German made beer steins will have “made in Germany” inked or engraved near the makers mark, but be aware that not all will, especially if they are older or independent makers.
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Christmas in Germany is a very special celebration, which does not focus on the one or two days of the year. But a whole season of leading up to the special day and the proceeding twelve days after.
Many of our Christmas traditions in Australia have stemmed from German Christmas traditions, however we do not celebrate anywhere near as much, as the extravaganza that is Christmas in Germany.
Christmas time begins at the start of December, or when the season starts to change. The days become short and cold, the winter snows fall and people retreat into their homes. It is during these cool, short days that people start to prepare for the festivities.
Most people make their own decorations, mantles and tables are festooned with decorations. Tiny Christmas trees are made from native pinecones, which adorn spaces around the home. Nativity scenes are extremely popular, usually handmade from the famous German clay or locally grown wood. Moss from the forests are placed among the wooden or clay figures, a very different display from the desert scenes of Bethlehem.
These decorations cover the home throughout the whole season, being added to, as the family completes their latest work.
Advent calendars appear at the beginning of December, which are a little different from the cardboard doors or fabric hangings with presents inside. The traditional calendar made from a flat laid wreath with four candles placed upon it. A candle is lit on each Sunday night leading up to Christmas and a the special “advent song” is sung along to the burning of the candle (a bit like a birthday cake!), a different verse is sung for each Sunday.
Read more about advent calendars in our blog here
Decorations are made to make the entire house festive, however special decorations are made just for the Christmas tree. The Christmas tree is not put up until Christmas Eve, so the decorations are painstakingly crafted throughout the entire month.
Read more about the origins of the Christmas tree
German people are especially good at carving (you can tell by the amazing work they do with the Cuckoo Clocks), and they use these skills to make decorations just for the tree. But they do also make other types, including stars made from straw, and hearts or trees made from candle wax.
Glass baubles are also a very popular Christmas tree decoration, while not everyone is skilled at blowing glass, they will purchase ready blown baubles to paint at home. These baubles are very popular at the German Christmas Markets.
The German Christmas Markets are a sight to behold, taking over many cities across Germany, the markets are jam packed with the beautiful decorations that Germans are famous for. Everything from tiny wooden figurines, intricate glass baubles to enormous Christmas Pyramids that spin in the candlelight. Thousands of fairy lights, giant Christmas Trees and ridiculously large pyramids accompaniment the intricate stalls. Visitors are welcomed with live music and endless amounts of delicious hot food, hot chocolate and spiced wine.
Food is also an extremely important part of the festive season, with people making baked goods for weeks leading up to the special days. Our friend Madi shares a few of her family recipes with us, including Lebkuchen biscuits and Stolen fruit loaf (See our recipe blog by Madi) which are only a few of about 40(!) that are made during the season.
Once the decorations have been crafted, days completed in kitchens, finally the big day arrives. No not the 25th, Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve is the celebratory day in Germany, and a lot of traditions have been passed down the generations for this day.
The Christmas tree finally arrives and the children are ushered outside to play or are sent to do chores, while the adults set up the entire space. The tree is adorned with all the decorations made throughout December and the presents are placed underneath, ready and waiting.
The entire family then dresses themselves in their finest clothing and the dinner is served, usually an array of potatoes, salads and Vienna sausages, under the glow of steady candlelight. It is only after the formal dinner is finished that the children finally get to see the tree.
A Christmas Bell is rung, carols are played and the entire family walks into the living room where the tree has been setup. Then the family relaxes, eating enormous amounts of biscuits and washing it down with warm Glühwein. Presents are given and opened before night ticks over to Christmas Day.
Christmas day itself is a less formal occasion, with Church services and the beginning of the Christmas break. Unknown to many people, Christmas Day is actually the first day of the 12 days of Christmas.
While many companies will have a twelve-day lead up to Christmas, the tradition is actually from Christmas day. This stems from the Christmas story of when Jesus was born (on Christmas day) and the proceeding twelve days that it takes the wise men to learn of his birth and their travels to see him. The twelve days end on the day that the wise men reach baby Jesus and present him with his three gifts.
Because of these twelve days of Christmas, it is extremely bad luck to remove your Christmas tree until the 6thof January.
The 12 days after Christmas also contain the New Years celebration, which is a much smaller affair than Christmas, but of course still includes lots of food and drink. Small gifts are also given to love ones to bring them good luck for the following year. Four leaf clovers, horseshoes and Marzipan or ceramic Lucky Pigs are symbols of good luck in Germany and are very popular.
Christmas with loved ones is always a special occasion, why not take some traditions from the way Germany celebrates. Maybe make your own decorations or have a fancy Christmas Eve dinner.
Bringing a tree inside the home and decorating it for the Christmas season, has been a tradition for many generations. However, there is no written record for the “first” Christmas tree.
Many people believe that Martin Luther was the first to place a tree inside his home. After seeing the beauty of the stars one clear winter night, he chopped down a small tree and attached bright candles to its branches, thinking he could bring the beautiful light inside.
Another “first” could have been when tradesmen guild halls were decorated with greenery during the festive season. Adding flowers, bows and their own works of art to the flora.
Religious groups also have ties to the tree, the Lutheran community decorated their churches and halls with trees decorated with nuts and paper flowers. As do the Catholics; a Christmas Eve Paradise Play featured the Paradise Tree, which was generally made from wood, but sometimes was replaced by an evergreen, decorated with apples.
No matter where the first Christmas Tree originated, there are still traditions of when and how the tree is decorated. An authentic German Christmas tree looks very different from the round bauble and tinsel filled perfection of the modern day era.
Traditionally the Christmas Tree is only put up on Christmas Eve, occasionally it became another “gift” to give to the children. Either in an event for the family to decorate together, or for the parents to assemble and place all the presents underneath, to surprise the children with.
First a rug or blanket was put below the tree (or table – if the tree was small) to catch the falling needles as they died, not over the bottom of the tree, like a skirt.
If the tree had strong branches, small candle holders were placed upon the ends and candles were lit. This was always only when there were people in the room, a lit tree was never (and should never) be left alone. For safety reasons, most people have swapped to LED and battery operated candles or lights.
Trees used to be filled with edible foods, such as apples, nuts and fruits, along with handmade paper flowers. When glass blowing was invented, the edible food was replaced with glass blown replicas of the foods
Click the button below to see our Gingerbread recipe!
On top of the tree a baby Jesus in a cradle was placed, however the tradition quickly changed as the precarious baby would fall often. It was replaced with a star or the Golden Angel (ChristKind).
While Tinsel was also invented in Germany and placed on the tree, It was very different from most types of Tinsel, which look like thick garlands of shiny plastic. Original tinsel was made from real silver that was pounded flat and cut into thin strips. These tiny thin strips were draped over the ends of the branches like icicles. You can buy this style of tinsel nowadays, usually in silver or gold foil, which can be gently placed over the tree. It takes more time, but is stunning when glittering in the light.
More modern day Christmas trees have sentimental ornaments, usually glass blown or handmade from straw. Very few Christmas trees in Germany have all matching colours or themed trees, with the majority of ornaments passed down the family or collected over years.
Bridal ornaments are also a newish tradition in Germany. Bridal Christmas ornaments are a collection of glass blown decorations, in the shape of animals and food. These ornaments are supposed to represent parts of life and are given to a newlywed couple to bring them joy and luck in their marriage.
Once the tree has been decorated on Christmas Eve, the tree remains in the house for the 12 days of Christmas, which ends on January 6. Also known as Epiphany, the day which the wise men were said to visit baby Jesus. However, some Catholic parts of Germany keep their tree up until February 2nd (Candlemas). Either way, it is bad luck to take down your tree before January 7th.
If you wish to start collecting or add to your collection of German made Christmas Decorations.
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Nutcrackers are often seen around Christmas time, showing up in stores and houses all around the world. But have you ever thought why? Why a wooden, soldier shaped, kitchen utensil has become a decoration to display at Christmas?
To understand the long history of these Christmas Nutcrackers, we have to look back to Germany in the 17th Century. In the beautiful Germany countryside, on the edge of the German-Czech Republic border lies the Ore Mountains; a naturally rich landscape of minerals and dense forest.
Local villagers living in these remote mountains spent their entire lives honing their skills in mining and manufacturing. However, when the mining declined in the late 17th century, they made a thriving industry in woodcarving, previously only an occupation and pastime during the harsh winter months.
It was during this changing time that the soldier style Nutcrackers started to appear. The residents of the Ore Mountains were in an interesting political position, while being located on a natural and sometimes impassable border, they were part of the German empire. It was only understandable that the neighbouring empires would want control over such a large and mineral rich area. This meant that the locals would often get caught in crossfire.
Previously Nutcrackers were simple tools, made of either metal or wood to help crack or crush the shell around the nut for easier consumption. But these skilled Ore Mountain carvers decided to “take the mickey” out of the struggling neighbouring soldiers, unaccustomed to their harsh surroundings. The nutcrackers displayed bared teeth and wild eyes, standing still to attention to their similarly looking haggard kings. And what better way to secretly humiliate the enemy than making the kings and their soldiers crack nuts, on command.
In all old traditions, there is always the folklore of where “the first” had come from, Nutcrackers are no different. While we can say that almost all German wooden carvings (especially Christmas decorations), originated in the Ore Mountains, this story states that the carver specifically came from the mountain village of Seiffen.
The story says that there was a farmer who had a lot of nuts but could not work out the best way to crack them all. He offered a reward to anyone who had the best way of cracking these nuts. A soldier tried to shoot the nuts, while a carpenter tried to saw them apart, but neither worked.
Meanwhile a toymaker from Seiffen brought his beautifully painted puppet. His puppet had bared teeth and a very strong jaw. The farmer was dubious that a toy could crack nuts, but was amazed as the puppet easily and cleanly opened all of his nuts. He was so happy and thankful that he rewarded the entire town and gave the toymaker his own workshop. The toymaker became famous and people came from all around to purchase his ‘Nutcracker’ puppets.
German-made decorations, especially Nutcrackers are beautiful works of art. The Ore Mountain carvers are world renowned and masters of their craft, so it is not unusual that people bought these beautiful utensils to give to others as gifts.
Over time the nutcrackers fierce expressions turned from mocking or enduring hardships, to a soldier’s determination. The nutcrackers soon became known as protections, their vivid eyes and bared teeth were said to be to ward off from evil spirits. People started to put the Nutcrackers around the home, more so during the long and cold winter nights (Christmas time for Germany). It was at this time that Nutcrackers became more ornamental, used less for actually cracking nuts and were given more regularly as decorative gifts.
However, it was the story of the Nutcracker and Ballet that really solidified the Christmas connection.
The Nutcracker ballet stems from the original and more grizzly German tale of “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King”, first published in 1816 by E.T.A Hoffmann, a story of childlike fantasy, dreams and confusion of reality. The story centres itself around the Yuletide festivities (Christmas time), where a family has been given a Nutcracker as a gift from the children’s godfather.
The story tells the tale of one of the children who awakens during the night to find the nutcracker and other toys have come to life, fending off a hoard of rodents and their gigantic, seven headed king. The child then saves her beloved Nutcracker from death/kidnapping by throwing her shoe at the king and accidently falling into the glass toy cabinet. She awakens in the morning hurt and feverish, and upon telling her family the story, they do not believe her.
While she is healing, her Godfather hands her the Nutcracker and tells her the story of the mouse queen, her children’s untimely death and a poor young man who has a curse turned him into an ugly, wild eyed Nutcracker.
At night her dreams are full of the whispered words of the mouse king, blackmail and then saviour and joy from the Nutcracker, who with her help, cuts the seven heads off the mouse king. Then takes her to a wondrous land and the palace of the Nutcracker.
After she has healed she stares at the wooden Nutcracker and tells him that if he were real, she would love him, no matter how ugly. The Nutcracker then transforms into a beautiful young man and says she has broken the curse on him.
As of that era, the children’s tale is full of death, blackmail and betrayal. The Nutcracker ballet was adapted by Alexandre Dumas Pere to suit a stage performance and focused more on the romantic love between the Nutcracker and the girl. The play premiered a week before Christmas in 1892, however did not become the famous performance it currently is, until almost 100 years later.
Nowadays the Ballet is showcased every year in many countries around the world, and is an annual tradition for many to see during Christmas time.
Over the last few centuries, the designs of Nutcrackers have changed to become more ornamental than practical. We do not recommend you try to crack nuts with them, as not all of them are made to withstand the pressure. You can still use the lever on the Nutcracker’s back to lever their mouth open and shut.
Nutcrackers have a long and wonderful history and it is no surprise people love to have their own beautifully painted Nutcrackers. At The German Village Shop we have an extensive range of Christmas Nutcrackers for sale, everything from hanging tree decoration Nutcrackers to large elaborately painted designs.
You can be sure that all of our Nutcrackers are exclusively German made, hand painted and will look stunning among any Christmas display.
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After this last outbreak in SA, it has reminded us that Covid 19 is still present in our community. Covid 19 has rocked our society to its core, disrupting all aspects of our lives.
However, this isn’t the first time we have stared down the face of an infectious outbreak. Germany is known for its culture of innovators throughout history, and the humble Beer Stein or Beer Steinzenugkrug is no exception.
The Beer Stein originated in Germany during the early 14th Century. In 1348 the Bubonic plague or Beulenpestarrived in Germany, bringing with it waves of death, hardship, and an infestation of flies!
The Plague was believed to be spread by insects, resulting in strict quarantine measures to quell the influx of the disease. Germany decided to introduce hygienic practices to eating and drinking establishments. These practices included a law that all drinking vessels must be covered to deter insects. And so, the traditional metal lidded stein, as we know it today, was created!
Designs of these traditional styles have evolved over time and can be dated depending on their materials, etchings, makers marks and shape of the lid. Most lids are conical or tiered, with slight variations in angle, engravings, and decorations. Flat, engraved lids are rare.
Read more about how the traditional beer stein is made by clicking the button below:
Today the Beer Stein is a shining symbol of German culture, innovation and hygiene practices dating back to the 14th century. Every part of the German Beer Stein, from its name to its lid has a reason and a history behind it.
In these times of hardship, we could all use a bit of German spirit! So, discover our collection of Traditional German Beer Steins online and own a part of history that has never been more relevant today!
See our collection of German Beer Steins!
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It's that time of year again! Hopefully you are organised and have all your loved ones presents sorted well before the last rush before Christmas...
We always have that one person that leaves us scratching our heads and asking, “What do they want or need?” or “but they already have everything!”
Well, we hope to save you some time and get that creative thinking done for you! We have made a list of our BEST German Gift Ideas!
Wanting to buy something sentimental? Maybe your sister just moved into her new home or the newest little one in your family is having their first Christmas and you want something extra special? Well the German Cuckoo Clock really does cover a lot of categories; its hand crafted using traditional methods, its made to last decades and it reminds the recipient of YOU when it cuckoos every hour!
We have two types of Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks: The Mechanical cuckoo clocks with the original engineered movement or the more recent Quartz cuckoo clock which uses batteries to keep its time and power the Cuckoo call on the hour. Both types are hand carved by Black Forest wood carvers!
See our Cuckoo Clock range by clicking the button below:
You know that cousin that you hardly talk too but ALWAYS gets you a present at Christmas? why not blow his socks off with a German Schnapps board and shot glasses! Fun and unique, it may just become the centrepiece at Christmas lunch or dinner. Maybe your have run out of ideas for Dad, why not get him a German Schnapps board and couple it with his favourite spirit! You can celebrate Christmas with him over his favourite liquor and a hearty toast "Prost!". We are sure the liquor will taste better drunk the German way.
See our Schnapps Board range by clicking the button below:
What are you going to get Mum this Christmas? And Grandma surely has everything already?? Well, the German Weather house makes a unique and thoughtful gift. They are a symbol of German heritage and will have your relative dreaming about the magical Alpine region when they look at it adorning the mantel in their home. Pretty but also functional, with its original humidity measure inbuilt in the weather house, the women will appear when the weather is dry and sunny and the man will come out when the weather is wet and cloudy (that's bound to get a chuckle out of Nan!)
See our range of German Weather houses online by clicking the button below:
Well if you are looking for something that yor brother is would LOVE but probably not buy himself, then the traditional German Beer Stein is it! It's going to look great on the mantel or in the "man cave" either way. Steins were traditionally given to celebrate ones achievement (usually military) but would make a special grift or tribute to someone who has finished University or concluded a chapter in their life.
See our range of German Beer Steins online by clicking the button below:
This gift option is fantastic or someone who literally has 'everything'. A traditional German Harmonica is bound to achieve a raised eyebrow on your eccentric uncles face when he unwraps this one! Hohner harmonica's are a prestigious world renowned brand which specialises in making the highest quality musical instruments. Anyone who is musical inclined would appreciate this gift! It's the original pocket sized 'fidget spinner' which can be whipped out at social events or used to keep one preoccupied during long distant travel. Great fun, easy to learn and lasts a lifetime!
Hopefully we have given you some inspiration for gifts for those 'hard to buy for' friends and family!
If you purchase any of our products online we also offer FREE GIFT WRAPPING and can also write GIFT NOTES for any present your sending to loved ones this Christmas!
]]>Is there anything more iconic than pulling out the Christmas tree when the year rolls into December and the festive season is beckoning! But have you ever wondered where the tradition came from and how it became such a universal tradition?
The tradition of the Christmas tree finds its roots in Germany around 16th Century.
The German Christmas tree, known as Tannenbaum or Weihnachtsbaum, was recorded to be used as a central décor of Christmas by the southern Germans. It is widely believed that Martin Luther (1483-1546), a 16th century German protestant, was the first to start the Christmas tree tradition. As the tale goes, Martin Luther was walking home one winter evening, finding inspiration for his sermon, when he was stuck with the brilliance of the stars twinkling amidst the evergreens. He was so moved by the scene he attempted to recreate it for his family by erecting an evergreen in his home and decorating it by wiring candles to its branches. However, the first appearance of a Tannenbaum was recorded in Germany many years after his death.
In 18th century, the Christmas tree become popular throughout Germany. Traditionally decorated with roses, apples, wafers, tinsel (also a German invention) and sweetmeat. The evergreens themselves were used as a symbol of everlasting life. It was custom to visit neighbouring houses and comment on their tree by saying “Ein schooner baum!”, which means “a nice tree!”. By the 19th century, the Christmas tree had become imbedded in German culture.
‘But how did the Christmas tree become a universal symbol of Christmas?’ I hear you ask. It was in 1845 when Queen Victoria and her German husband, Prince Albert, were illustrated standing with their children around a Christmas Tree in a London Newspaper. It was from there the craze for Christmas trees become widespread across Britain and its expanding empire.
The decorating of the Christmas trees and the giving of gifts to loved ones is at the centre of our Christmas practices. Today the expression of the Christmas tree tradition comes in many forms, from large artificial trees to small decorative pieces. Our personal favourite is the beautifully crafted wooden Christmas trees and decorations, made in the Black Forest in Germany.
Nothing says Christmas like an Advent Calendar! The joy of counting down the days until Christmas morning when presents are opened…if someone hasn’t had a sneaky peak already!
The origins of the advent calendars can be traced back to the 19th century in Germany. The protestant German tradition first started by marking chalk lines on their doors for every day in December until Christmas Eve, wiping off a line as each day pasted. Not quite the elaborate treat fill Advent Calendars think of today! The first recorded handmade, wooden Advent Calendar or Adventskalender dates to 1851 in Germany.
The first printed calendars appeared in the early 1900s. It was an innovation by Gerhand Lang to add small doors or windows to open on the printed calendar. The inspiration for this innovation is said to come from his childhood. He mother would give him a tin box with 24 cookies sown into its lid, he was allowed to eat one each day of December. Lang is therefore known as the father of the modern Advent Calendar, although perhaps his mother should get some of the credit!
Traditionally behind the doors or windows would be pictures or short bible verses. It wasn’t until the 1950s that treat filled advent calendars were produced, and which is also the time they began to spread around the world, taking up particular popularity in America. Today the Advent Calendar is a global Christmas tradition, coming in a variety of forms, materials, and colours.
Advent wreaths are another German Christmas tradition, with a slightly longer history dating back to the 16th century. The advent wreath consists of 4 candles to represent the four weeks of the advent season. Each candle was used to symbolise an important Christmas value; Hope (week one), Pease (week two), Joy (week three) and Love (week four). Often an advent wreath would have a large central candle that known as the “Christ Candle”, this was lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
The tradition of celebrating the lead up to Christmas has its roots in German culture. At the German Village Shop we believe that Christmas isn’t just a day, but a frame of mind! So, bring on the Christmas cheer as we roll into the festive season. We have a special collection of locally handmade, wooden Advent Calendars that are waiting to become part of your families Christmas tradition.
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Incense appear in different parts of the world and in various cultures. Each culture has a different plant based incense native to their area and different incense configurations (cones or sticks etc) to burn.
Incense have been used as a traditional gift for thousands of years as it was thought to ward off evil spirts, as well as used for medicine and healing practices.
While incense has been around for thousands of years, the German Smokers, or Rauchermen, originated in the late 1600s in the Miriquidi Forest area of south-eastern Germany. The first German Smokers were carved from a single piece of wood and made into small figurines that resembled German villagers. The first Rauchermen (or Rauchermann in German) were designed to be placed next to a tray of incense as a decorative piece. The Incense cones were developed in the late 1700s and German smokers are now made from two pieces of wood that fit together to create one body, allowing the incense to be placed within the figurine.
The German tradition follows that on the last day of 12 days of Christmas festival the incense is lite and placed in a German smoker to mark the end of the Festive Season. Today a small incense cone can be placed inside the Smoker, allowing incense smoke to filter out through the figurine’s mouth or chimney. These enchanting pieces have a long and proud history in the German celebration of Christmas!
Download our PDF on how to use your German Christmas Smoker figurine:
These unique incense burners give character and charm to a traditional practice. Each figurine can usually be pulled apart at the waist and a small incense cone is placed in the bottom half. It is then lit and the upper hollowed out part is placed back over the lit cone. It burns down slowly releasing a smoke vapour which usually escapes through the mouth of the smoker man.
See our collection of German Incense online to bring the smells of a German Christmas into your homes!
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Many cultures will have an affinity with a particularly strong brew! Germany is no exception with its famous Schnapps spirit: an alcoholic beverage that can include distilled fruit brandies or herbal liqueurs. Many will be flavoured by adding fruit syrups and spices.
The word Schnapps (As spelt by the English) is derived from the German word Schnaps or Schnäpse which means spirit drinks. In the German language the word Schnäpse is related to the similar sounding word Schnappen which means to snap or snatch. An accurate description, as most people like to consume schnapps from a small shot glass.
Most alcoholic beverages have humble beginnings that can be traced back to the apothecaries of the 15th and 16th centuries. These were often used as medicines, prescribed to invigorate the body, settle the stomach and cure disease.
By the 18th century they were becoming more widely popular and consumed by more common folk. At this stage, one might argue that the beverages intoxicating effects might have been more sought after than any alleged medicinal purposes!
Fruit brandies in the European alpine region (Austria, Switzerland, southern Germany and regions of France) are often called Obstler or Obstbrand. This word is derived from the German word for fruit, obst. Interestingly, in Northern Germany most of the distilled brews are grain based.
The most common types of fruit used to produce a traditional German fruit brandy are apples, pears, plumbs, cherries or apricots. There are well known schnapps made in the alpine region for each of these fruit types. Apples and pears are used to make Obstwasser (fruit water), Pears on their own are used to make Poire Williams (Williamsbrine, Williams pear), Plums are used to make Zwetschgenwasser (plum water), Cherries are distilled to make Kirschwasser (Cherry water), and Apricots are used to make Austrian Marillenschnaps (apricot brandy). Many of us are familiar with Peach Schnapps which is enjoyed in many ways in English speaking countries!
Herbal liqueur’s are not the same as Obstler. Herbal or fruit flavours can be added to a neutral spirit. Kräuterlikör(herbal liqueur) is very popular and renowned brands such as Jägermeister, Underberg, Kuemmerling, Killepitsch and Wurzelpeter are known for making Herbal liqueurs. An example of a Herbal liqueur is Himbeergeist (raspberry spirit) which is an infusion of macerated fresh berries in neutral spirit.
Schnapps is commonly drunk neat, quickly and generally with a salute! Germans commonly drink Schnapps before, during, or after a meal to help the stomach digest food. Everyone often wishes each other “Prost”, which translates as health and is similar to “cheers” in English.
Musical instruments are an ancient way of telling stories that transpire time. The Harmonica or mouth organ has its notable place in history as one such instrument. Its small size and light weight body makes it perfect for travelling musicians who like to share their love of music wherever they go.
The harmonica was developed in Europe in the early part of the 19th century. Free reed instruments have been used in East Asia since ancient times but became relatively well known to Europe after being introduced in the late 1700’s by a returning traveller from China. It’s not clear who gets the credit for being the first person to develop a working harmonica in Europe. However, everyone agrees that Joseph Richter (a bohemian instrument maker) invented the blow and draw mechanism that is the signature feature of the Harmonica we know today.
In 1857 Matthias Hohner, a clockmaker from Trossingen, started producing harmonicas. He became the first person to mass produce them, which is why the German brand Hohner is known all over the world for its harmonica’s. Diatonic harmonicas were designed primarily for playing German and other European folk music. Over time the design and tuning proved adaptable to other types of music such as blues and country.
Technically there are many types of harmonicas which include diatonic, chromatic, tremolo, octave, orchestral, and bass versions
The comb makes up a large proportion of the instrument. When the reed plates are placed around the comb, individual reeds vibrate into the air chambers made up by the comb. Traditionally harmonica combs are made from wood but can be made of plastic or titanium. The material type arguably doesn’t affect the sound of the harmonica (because it’s neither large enough nor able to vibrate freely due to its fixed position between the reed plates). However, the material used for the comb will affect its durability. Wood combs (whilst the most traditional) do absorb moisture from the players breath and tongue contact.
The reed plate consists of several reeds in a single housing. The reeds are usually made out of brass and fixed to the plate with rivets. Sometimes the reeds are welded or screwed in place. Reeds fixed on the inner side of the reed plate (and sit within the comb chamber) respond to blowing, while those fixed on the outer side respond to suction or drawing.
The instrument maker can manipulate the pitch of the reed by changing its length, the weight near its free end or the stiffness near its fixed end. A longer, heaver and springier reed produces deeper and lower sounds. Shorter lighter and stiffer reeds make higher pitched sounds.
The cover plates go over the reed plates that have been fixed to the central comb. The choice of material of the cover plate is usually a personal choice of the player as it projects sound and determines the tonal quality of the harmonica. Traditional open designs of cover plates which are stamped metal or plastic are there to be help play the instrument whilst an enclosed design offers a louder tonal quality.
Wind savers are a one-way valve made form thin strips of plastic, leather or Teflon glued to the reed plate. They are typically found in Chromatic harmonicas. Wind savers are used when two reeds share the same cell and leakage through the non-playing reed can be significant.
The mouthpiece is sometimes integral with the comb or part of the cover. Its purpose is purely that of an ergonomic aide to make playing more comfortable.
A harmonica is a free wind instrument and is played by using the mouth (lips and tongue) to direct air into or out of one (or more) holes along the mouthpiece. Behind each hole is a chamber containing at least one reed which is tuned to individual pitches. When the free end of the reed is made to vibrate by the player pushing air into the chamber using their mouth it alternatively blocks and unblocks the airway to produce sound. The reed is usually fixed above or below the plate of the slot and so responds differently to blowing or withdrawing air.
Chromatic harmonicas allow for the player to redirect air from the whole in the mouthpiece to the selected reed plate. Control over the air flow can be obtained by means of a lever-operated flap at the rear of the instrument or a “hands free” design that allows the player to shift the tones by moving the mouthpiece up and down with his lips.
Diatonic harmonicas are usually designed to play in a single key
The distinguishing feature of the tremolo-tuned harmonica is that it has two reeds per note, with one slightly sharp and the other slightly flat. This type of set up enables a wavering or warbling sound created by the two reeds being slightly out of tune with each other and the difference in their subsequent waveforms interacting with each other.
An important technique in Harmonica playing is understanding the different playing techniques.
Vibrato – a playing technique that gives the note a ‘shaking’ sound. This technique is accomplished usually by opening and closing the hands around the harmonica very rapidly. An effect similar to vibrato is that of the ‘trill’ (or roll or warble). This technique has the player move their lips between the two holes very quickly, either by shaking the head in rapid motion or moving the harmonica from side to side.
Bending – in addition to the notes readily available on the harmonica, players can play other notes by adjusting their embouchure (shape of their lips and mouth on the mouthpiece) and forcing the reed to resonate at a different pitch.
See our range of German made Hohner Harmonicas!
Hohner is a 160-year-old German musical instrument manufacturing company. They are the world leader in Harmonica and accordion craftmanship. Matthias Hohner Founded the company in Trossingen, Germany, 1857.
Statements from the German Company Hohner (www.hohner.de)
HOHNER’S COMPANY HERITAGE
A lot has happened since Matthias Hohner founded his company in Trossingen, Germany in 1857. HOHNER became the market leader in harmonicas and accordions with a worldwide network of artists through consistent dedication to quality. Our instruments have strongly influenced the development of the Blues, become a vital part of Folk music traditions around the world, played a significant role in the ongoing evolution of Jazz and found their place on the Classical concert stage. Today we continue to develop new instruments and improve existing ones. Always with the intention to enable everyone, everywhere to Enjoy music.
HOHNER CRAFTSMANSHIP
One aspect of music is definitely the instrument you create it with.
With over 160 years of technical expertise, a sympathetic ear for our customers, and countless collaborations with musicians and teachers, we have continuously improved our craft – and will continue to do so.
Most of our harmonicas and accordions are still manufactured in Trossingen, our hometown and world headquarters. Combining modern production technology with traditional handiwork, our skilled staff produce high-quality instruments for worldwide distribution. And since most of us are musicians ourselves, we understand and share your expectations.
Our in-house Research & Development department is staffed by highly skilled specialists for free reed instruments and is dedicated to setting and maintaining the highest standards of quality. In close cooperation with leading musicians, endorsees and teachers from around the world, we continually conceptualize new instruments and improve existing ones.
We at Hohner are proud of our craft, our quality standards, and the longevity of our instruments. We will continue to manufacture high-quality instruments that allow people worldwide to Enjoy music.
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You may have seen our glass boots in our store, or photographs of people drinking from them. While it might be reminiscent of our Australian tradition of “drinking a shoey”, it is an extremely strict challenge for those wanting to prove themselves.
The challenge requires the drinker to fill the glass boot (known as Das boot) with beer - which if you are drinking from a standard Oktoberfest boot, is approximately 3L of beer. Without spilling any on yourself. This challenge is misleadingly tricky, the drinker usually unaware they have failed the challenge until a tsunami wave of beer hits them straight in the face.
However, we will let you in on the secret how to complete the Beer Boot Challenge and to be the champion amongst your friends.
First follow the strict guidelines to the challenge.
(if any rules are broken, the person flaunting the rule must drink again)
Das boot is designed to create an air pocket in the toe, which is what causes the sudden rush of beer towards the drinker. To avoid this:
We will be getting Boot Beer Steins back in stock soon!
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We love a good origin story here at The German Village Shop. We did a little research on where this challenge originated!
Unsurprisingly, the challenge started out remarkably like the Australian hazing ritual of drinking from a sweaty old boot. Initiation rituals of drinking from a boot started with the earliest invention of leather boots, where new initiates would have to drink from the smelliest members boot.
Medieval excavations have also found shoe-shaped pottery drinking vessels across Europe. Therefore, we can only assume that the boot drinking became either more civilised, or as a challenge outside of initiation rituals.
Not long after glass blowing made its popularity across Europe, a legend states that a war General made a bet with his soldiers. That if they won the upcoming battle, he would drink from his boot. Not wanting to go against his word after they were victorious, but also not wanting to drink from his soiled and unsanitary boot. The General decided to have a boot made by a local glassblower, and drank to their victory.
Whether or not any of this history or legend is true, the boot challenge has become an integral part of the German drinking culture, as well as popular at many Oktoberfest festivals around the world.
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Weather houses are a popular décor item from the Alpine regions in Germany and Austria. These popular folk art items are often called weather houses or weather stations. They are a world renowned icon of the Alpine regions in Europe. German Weather Houses are likely to have originated in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s. German weather houses are specifically known for their finely crafted Bavarian style chalet designs. These pieces of artwork feature hand carvings and paintings to bring these small chalets to life! They can range greatly in size and ornate designs.
These weather stations often featured Alpine chalet designs and the man and women balanced on a bar are often featured in traditional Bavarian dress. The women is dressed in a dirndl and the man in a lederhosen. There are often other features of life in the Black Forest like cows, beer drinkers, wood choppers and musicians.
The weather house functions as a hygrometer. There is a male and female figurine that balance on a bar which is suspended by a piece of catgut or hair.
A catgut is a type of cord that is prepared from natural fibre found in the walls of animal intestines.
The gut string relaxes or shrinks according to the humidity and moisture in the air. The string relaxes when its wet and tenses when the air is drier. This changing length of the string causes one figure or the other to swing out of the house with the change in humidity. Some variants also function as a barometer which is to do with the pressure of the surrounding air. The air pressure is low in rainy weather and higher in warm sunny weather. Once again, the change in air pressure will change which figurine swings outside the alpine house.
Before disposable and mass produced christmas décor, decorations were hand crafted and treasured items that would be passed down in families through generations. The Ore mountains produce some of our most loved and treasured Christmas decorations. The are the birth place to many special ornaments, Christmas pyramids and arches!
The Ore mountains are located on the eastern boarder of Germany. This area had harsh winters and agriculture was difficult. It wasn’t until the onset of ore mining that the local economy started to boom. Mining itself though was hard labour and really was only suited to the young strong men. The miners would rise before day break and got the mines only to return home after dark. It became a tradition to leave candles in the windows of the houses to guide the miners back home at night. When there came a time that silver ore prices fell in many parts of the mountsins the workman had to look for other work. Thanks to the abundance of timber provided by forests in the region, the inhabitants took to manufacturing wooden toys.
Family’s become known for specific crafts such as turning animal shapes (Reifendrehen) and another family was known for carving the animal figurines out of it. Yet another would be in charge of painting the figurine or making the small boxes. Today, typical wooden Ore Mountain folk art include Christmas pyramids, Wooden Rauchermann incense smokers, Nutcrackers and wooden figures, Chrismtas mountain scenes (Weihnactsberge) and Ore Mountain Candle arches.
A famous christmas decoraiton that has its roots in the Ore Mountains of Germany history, is the Christmas arch. Otherwise known as a Schqibbogen these arches
The development of the Christmas arch is closely related to the mining industry and traditions of the ore mountains. These arches were thought to be made originally for the miners, mining foreman and the smith during the Christmas work shift (Mettenschicht). The table where the Christmas celebration was held would occupy one of these candle arches. It would usually bear symbols commonly associated with the life and wishes of the miners.
Later on these Christmas arches would depict the major sources of income and industry of the people in the region in the 18th and 19th century. The arches would commonly have figurines of miners, wood carvers and a Christmas tree. The candles were more then practical elements to this decoration, they represented the longer of the miners to see the daylight in winter and their safety lamps used while working in the mines.
Originally made from metal, the first Christmas candle arch (Schqibbogen) was made in 1740. These early candle arches were made of from metal (usually a single forged piece of black ore) with a number of candle holders spanning the size of the arch.
Today it is common for them to be made out of wood and to feature battery powered LED lights. Many arches features village and town scenes in winter.
Christmas pyramids (Weihnachtspyramide in German) are a well loved Christmas decoration and is treasured all around the world. Sometimes called a Christmas windmill, wooden carousel or nativity pyramid, they all have their history in traditional German Christmas celebrations. The origins of this unique Christmas decoration comes from Germany but specifically the folk lore and customs of the Ore Mountains.
Erzgebirge is a place in Eastern Germany that is believed to be the birth place of this renowned Christmas decoration. It is thought that the Christmas pyramid was the predecessor of the Christmas tree. These pyramids however were not limited to Christmas celebrations. In the Ore mountains there were customs which involved dancing around the “St John’s tree” which was a pyramid structure decorate with garlands and flowers, to celebrate the summer solstice! In the middle ages across Europe, evergreen branches and candles have traditionally been used to ward off moroseness in the dark and cold months of winter. These two items were eventually unified to create the Christmas pyramid and would become a symbol of Christmas celebrations.
German Christmas pyramids are made out of a multi0-level, tired wooden pyramidal frame. The base has candle holders which allow candles to be burned and as the heat rises the central carousel with a rotor at the top spins with the rising heat. Usually each level of the pyramid has Christmas nativity figures such as angels and wise men. They can also feature other motifs such as mining folk and forest scenes which are specific to the everyday life of the people where the Christmas pyramid originated from, the Ore Mountains.
Weihnachts – pyramide are wooden pyramids with a propeller that spin from the heat of candles burning at the base. A Weihnachts – Glockenspiel have a music or sound component (usually bells) which are tapped by the spinning propeller. These are more like a wind chime in design. A Lichtergestelle (light stand) is a popular construction in the 18th century. There were made out of four poles and decorated with green foliage which was replaced later on by the Christmas tree.
Originally Christmas pyramids were hung from the ceiling of German homes. However these days they usually take their place on a mantle, windowsill or as the centre piece at a dinner table.
How to install your German Christmas Pyramid
This iconic decoration is an invention of the toy makers in the Ore Mountains. They are known as Rauchermann and burn down incense known as Raucherkerzchen. Several kinds of smoker men exist and often represent different craftsman of the region such as peddlers, miners, soldiers, foresters and hunters.
These unique incense burners give character and charm to a traditional practice. Each figurine can usually be pulled apart at the waist and a small incense cone is placed in the bottom half. It is then lit and the upper hollowed out part is placed back over the lit cone. It burns down slowly releasing a smoke vapor which usually escapes through the mouth of the smoker man.
The Rauchermanner (smoker men) are often brought out around Christmas time and displayed with the Schwibbogen (candle arches), Weihnachtspyramide (christmas pyramids) and nutcrackers. They bring some magical charm through their colorful character and the smell of the burning incense which you can get in many traditional scents such as: pine, marzipan, cinnamon, honey, vanilla etc.
Read more about this unique Christmas decoration here:
Nutcrackers are usually wooden carved figurines in the image of a solider, knight or king. Figurative nutcrackers were thought to have began when a puppet maker won a nutcracking competition by creating a doll with a. mouth for a lever to crack nuts, according to folk lore in Germany! Modern nutcrackers are usually not strong enough to perform this task and are used for decorative purposes only, mainly at Christmas time! Possibly one of the most famous tales of nutrackers at christmas is Tchaikovscky’s ballet The Nutrcracker based on a story by E.T.A Hoffmann. The most exquisite hand carved variety is famously from the Ore Mountains.
Originally the Nutcracker was designed for use to break nut shells. More mechanical and practical designs have existed for many centuries. The decorative Nutcracker adds some charm to this usually mundane task. IT wasn’t until the late 19th century that there was a rise in figurative and decorative nutcracker designs. Particularly these items were from the Alps and accompanied the tradition of putting nuts in children’s Christmas stockings. In a functional Nutcracker figurine you can insert the nut into the open mouth and press down firmly cracking the nut. An ingenuous use of leverage and craftsmanship!
The Rauchermanner (smoker men) are often brought out around Christmas time and displayed with the Schwibbogen (candle arches), Weihnachtspyramide (christmas pyramids) and nutcrackers. They bring some magical charm through their colourful character and the smell of the burning incense which you can get in many traditional scents such as: pine, marzipan, cinnamon, honey, vanilla etc.
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Oktoberfest is the most renowned German Festival in the world, with events taking place in the US, Australia, China and Brazil, just to name a few. These celebrations range from one-day events to full two-week festivals similar to the ones in Germany. But no matter the scale of the festival, there are certain elements that are always present.
If you are not in a large wooden beer hall, eating a pretzel while wearing a Lederhosen, surrounded by busty women in Dirndls, handing out enormous beers; you might not actually be at Oktoberfest. This narrow minded image of a country’s culture may usually be frowned upon, but at this festival it is not only celebrated, but encouraged!
Like most holidays and celebrations, Oktoberfest has evolved over time and is quite different from the first festival. Starting in 1810, in the capital of the Bavarian state (Munich), all citizens were welcomed to commemorate the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.
After five consecutive days of rejoicing, dancing and of course, drinking throughout, a horse race was held on the plains outside the city gates, these grounds were later named Theresinenwiese (Therese’s green/meadow) after the new princess. Later to be nicknamed “Wies’n”. This race became an annual event, and to encourage the agricultural trade, was combined with the state’s agricultural fair. While the annual horse race ended in 1960 (with the exception in 2010 for the 200-year anniversary), the agricultural show still proceeds, although now held only every four years at the southern end of the Wies’n.
What is now the main attraction of Oktoberfest (the drinking, dancing, carnival and parades) has been steadily growing since 1818, when the first rides and swings were introduced. And 1819, when the citizens of Munich were handed over the reins from the royals to continue the annual tradition. With the citizens in charge of governing the festivities, its length increased to weeks and brought forward to utilize the warm spring weather.
Millions people attend Oktoberfest every year around the world, Munich’s festival itself attracting over 6 million people over the two-week period. A far cry from the roughly 40,000 Munich citizens of 1810. While many people may only know Oktoberfest as an excuse to drink and dance, the Munich festival also includes a theme park and two enormous parades.
The first parade “Trachten und Schützenzug” (Traditional costume and Hunters parade) symbolises the origins of Oktoberfest, celebrating the marriage between the prince and princess. With over 9000 people in full traditional costume, decorated floats, marching bands and music, the parade wanders through the city over a 7km track.
The second parade “Wiesn Einzug der Festwirte und Brauereien” (The parade of the Wies’n landlords and breweries) is the opening parade of Oktoberfest, with approximately 1000 participants. The parade is usually filled with the local brewing companies, staff and family of people involved in the festival. Horses with carriages holding giant barrels of beer, decorated and paraded with much fanfare. The parade is concluded with the current mayor of Munich literally breaking opening the first barrel of beer.
The process of opening the barrel is traditional and nerve-racking for the mayor, he must use a large wooden hammer to hit a tap into the wood of the barrel, allowing the first drink to be poured. Sometimes this can be quite tough, and can take quite a few tries. The record for number of hits required stands at only two, while the longest is 19. It would be quite embarrassing for the major to be televised either missing his blow or to lose the record.
However once the tap has been secured, the major yells "O' Zapft is!” which literally means "it has been tapped”, but actually just means “It is party time”. This signals a twelve firecrackers to be set alight, the music to begin and for all the beer halls to start serving.
The beer at Oktoberfest is rather special as well, due to the origins of festival, it is only fitting that all the beer drunk must be Munich breweries. The six breweries that can serve beer are Augustiner-Brau, Hacker-Pschorr-Brau, Lowenbrau, Paulaner-Brau, Spatenbrau, and Staatliches Hofbrau-Munchen, and usually produce the special Oktoberfest beer under the trademarked name “Oktoberfestbier”.
The type of beer is a special low fermentation that is quite a bit darker than regular beer and usually contains approximately 6% more alcohol. While this may be an added bonus to those wishing to get more for their coin, the beer was produced before modern conveniences like refrigeration. This meant that it required a higher hop content, therefore more alcoholic.
So if you decide to host your own Oktoberfest, we recommend getting yourself a Munich beer glass and announcing “O’Zapft is!” as you pour a locally made or Munich beer.
While beer may be important to those attending Oktoberfest, food is also pretty high on the list of requirements. Luckily most Oktoberfest festivals also have traditional German cuisine, including meats, fish, breads and cakes. The perfect match for a strong beer, but not so much for those who are wanting to slim down. The German diet, especially while celebrating, is full of rich foods that are cooked with or in lots of fat.
If you are to sit down for a feast at an Oktoberfest celebration, you are likely to see Bretzels (often mistaken for a Pretzel) a thick, chewy baked dough, with a special soda salt. Weisswurst, a traditional spiced sausage made from minced veal, pork and lemon. Easily spotted by its very light grey appearance. Plus, a myriad of roasted meats such as pork, ham, steak and delicious desserts like sweet vanilla dumplings, strudels, apple cakes and gingerbread.
Whether you decide to attend an Oktoberfest celebration yourself, or host your own. The German Village shop has a large range of decorations, glasswear and attire just ready for you to celebrate in Munich style. Check out the Oktoberfest collection for everything from hats to Hofbrau-Munchen beer glasses and Bavarian flags.
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The festivities in Germany are an elaborate affair with many Christmas rituals and folklore for people with or without German ancestry to be excited about! The Christmas traditions and festivals are designed to bring about a feeling of “Gemutlichkeit” which means warmth, friendliness and good cheer.
Amazingly, we have Germany to thank for many of the Christmas traditions we celebrate in Australia today. So even those of us without any known German ancestry have been unknowingly practicing German Christmas celebrations for generations.
The most iconic ritual is the Tannenbaum (Christmas tree) with is ceremoniously erected at Christmas time, around the world. We also have to commend the German’s for the invention of the Advent calendar, Christmas stockings and many more. Keep reading to find out the origins of these well-known traditions.
German and European Christmas festivities are highly praised and adored by visitors from all over the world. A well-loved favourite is the German Christmas markets. Christkindl markets make numerous appearances around the world mimicking the iconic German markets. Nuremberg in Germany has a Christmas market that has been celebrated annually for more than 400 years, it has withstood the test of time and continues to thrive.
Christianity has had a large influence on the items found at these old markets. The German Lutherans often included decorations, sweets, handmade wooden toys, baked goods, candy canes and mistletoe or holly. Most market stalls bear the traditional Fachwerkhauser design and are decorated with branches of fir and lit by lanterns. Remembering that the days are very short in European winters and often people experience the Christmas markets in the dark. Nowadays most markets use the picturesque light from hundreds of thousands of fairy lights, which only enhances the feeling of Christmas. Or as the Germans call it; “Weihnnachten”.
No German Christmas tradition would be complete without St Nicholas. A similar figure to the renowned Santa Claus or Father Christmas. Traditionally children would receive their gifts from St. Nicholas on December the 6th, placed in their shoes kept by the bedroom door or in stockings hanging from the fireplace.
And what folklore is without an antagonist? Krampus takes this famous role in traditional German Christmas stories. Krampus is everything you would imagine from your childhood nightmares. A long horned, shaggy black goat like, monster! Krampus has an angry face, forked tongue and as the story goes, likes to punish bad children. According to folklore, Krampus shows up in villages the night before the 6th of December, known as “Krampusnacht” (Krampus night). The same night that St Nicholas is supposed to visit and reward the good children with gifts and sweets. Of course if the children have been bad, Krampus might put something unpleasant (like a lump of coal) in their shoes instead.
The story of Krampus originated in Bavaria (Southern Germany) before being spread to other provinces and was widely adopted by all German states.
In Germany they like to double up on the fun and in more modern times they also celebrate Santa Claus or Father Christmas (der Weihnactsmann) who still brings presents on December 24th.
We also have German Christmas traditions to thank for the Christmas stocking! Traditionally the empty sock or sock-shaped bag was hung on Saint Nicholas Day so that Saint Nicholas (or related figures such as Santa Claus/Father Christmas) could fill it with small toys, candy and coins. The origin of the Christmas stocking began with St Nicholas. Legend says St Nicholas was a devote follower of Jesus and was very generous, it was his generosity that led to the tradition of the Christmas stocking. St Nicholas apparently wanted to help a widowed father and his three daughters, but knowing the father wouldn’t accept charity, St Nicholas ended up throwing bags of coins though their window at night. It is said that one of the bags landed in a stocking, which led to the custom of children hanging up stockings, socks or putting out shoes to eagerly await gifts from St Nicholas.
One of the most famous icons of Christmas is the Christmas tree. The Christmas tree or at least the establishment of a plant based decorations at Christmas can be traced back to as far as the 8th century, when Germans are thought to have be illustrated cutting down trees to use for pagan worship.
By the 15th century there was a closer resemblance to the decorated Christmas tree that we know today. The German Christmas tree (Tannenbaum) was recorded to be used as a central décor for Christmas by the Southern German Lutherans. It was custom to visit other houses and comment on the others tree saying “Ein schooner Baum!” which means “a nice tree!”.
Interestingly, this very same group of Southern German’s later came to settle in Hahndorf South Australia where our German Christmas Shop is located.
It is believed that the UK adopted the Christmas Tree tradition when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (a German prince) created a craze for Christmas trees in the 1840’s. A newspaper report describing the Windsor Castle Christmas trees and the German tradition gift giving led to the Christmas tree becoming widespread in the homes of Britain.
Another Christmas tradition we have Germans to thank for is the Advent calendar. From December 1st to December 24this called “Adventszeit” which means the time before Christmas eve. It is traditional for the children to count down the days before Christmas with advent calendars which have a different treat to open up on each day. If you want to uphold the German traditions, you can set up the most original form of the advent calendar called Adventskranz (Advent wreath) which consists of a decorated wreath holding four candles, which are lit on each Sunday in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
The well-known Christmas Carol singers may also have stemmed from German Christmas traditions as well. Sternsinger (star singers) would go from house to house, sing a song and collect money or charity. They often dressed up as the Wise Men from the Christian religion. When they finish singing they would sign an inscription above the door and it would be considered back luck to wash it off, left to fade naturally.
Christmas eve is also steeped with German Christmas traditions. “Helinger abend” (Christmas eve) is filled with Christmas tree decorating, attending church services, eating traditional dishes and in old traditions, opening Christmas presents! In the evening families would sing Christmas songs such as “O Tannenbaum” (Oh Christmas tree), “Ihr Kinderlein Kommet”(Oh, come, little children) and Stille Nacht (Silent night).
What are German Christmas traditions without food and feasting? Christmas markets are a treasure trove of all the best baked German goods that Christmas time has to offer. The smell of Stollen (baked fruit bread), Bratwurst, roasted almonds, Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and Spekulatius (spiced biscuits) fill the air with a delightful aroma! Another favourite at Christmas time is Gluehwein which is a heated red wine with added spice, similar to a mulled wine and enjoyed on a cold winters evening.
At home Christmas dinners consist of a variety tasty traditional meals and treats. The German household would smell of freshly baked Stollen, a recipe that has been around for nearly 700 years in Germany. Filled with nuts raisins and candied fruit, it takes place of the English Christmas Cake. Lebkuchen (gingerbread) is a family favourite and dates back to the 13th century in Germany and Switzerland. Apfelkuchen (German apple cake) is a classic and often served with pure cream, a perfect treat to enjoy sitting by the fire after a roast dinner. Weihnactsgans (German Christmas goose) is a typical festive meal at Christmas. Goose is the preferred fowl choice but duck is also seen on German tables at Christmas time. Krautstrudel (cabbage roll) also often accompanies the main meal.
(Weihnachtpyramide) The Germany pyramid or “candle carousel” may have originated in nativity plays when Christmas pine trees were scarce. This is why traditionally you find wooden nativity scene carvings at the base of the pyramids, however more modern designs also include snowmen or presents. These handmade Christmas decorations have their origins Erzgebirge in the Ore Mountain region of Germany (the Eastern most mountain range that boarders Germany and the Czech republic).
It was custom to hang the Pyramid from the ceilings of German homes at Christmas time. However, these wooden pyramids were not just restricted to Christmas celebrations but also used by the people in Erzgebirge to celebrate the summer solstice!
The Christmas Windmill or wooden candle carousel, works by the heat from the candles at its base rising and subsequently spinning the propeller attached to the top of the pyramid structure.
The decorative candle holder (Schwibbogen) also originated in the Erzgebirge area. The creation of this ornament is closely related to the mining traditions of the Ore mountains. A special Christmas celebration was held by the miners who worked the day shift on Christmas day (Mettenschiht). A special lunch was procured for the miners, the mining foreman and the blacksmith workers who were responsible for making the mining tools. A decorative centrepiece would be placed upon the table, usually a candle holder made from metal. The light would symbolise the longing of the miners, who sometimes didn’t see the daylight in winter for weeks sometimes due to their working hours. The villages in the Ore Mountains would also typically place a candle lit arch in their windows during the season.
More modern designs of these arches and candle holders are typically made out of wood and depict nativity or artistic scenes.
A more recognisable German decoration are the Nutcracker figurines. Commonly made to resemble a toy solider, their original purpose in German folk lore and were to serve as protectors of a house. Nearly all nutcrackers made before the 20th century were functional and able to crack nut shells to eat (hence the name Nutcracker). The modern day nutcracker is primarily decorative and not able to crack nuts. Like a lot of the ornate ornaments made in Germany their origins come from the Ore Mountains. Believed to have initially been designed in the late 17th century and gained in popularity until in the 19th century, when they then spread to nearby European countries. Worldwide popularisation began after the Second World War when numerous American soldiers stationed in Germany came home to the US with German nutcrackers as souvenirs. The Nutcracker ballet production by Tchaikovsky adapted from the E.T.A Hoffman’s tory The Nutcraker and the Mouse King also contributed to the world wide appreciation of this unique Christmas ornament.
German smokers (Rauchermann) are traditional and ornate incense burners. This iconic ornament originated in 1850 In the town of Seiffen which is located in (guess where) the district of Erzgebirgskreis, in the Ore mountains.
An invention of the local toy makers, the hollowed out body of a wooden figurine holds an incense cone, known as Raucherkerzchen. Which once lit, sends of a trail of scented smoke through a usually well placed hole in the smoker figurine. Thousands of different figurine designs exist, but traditionally represent different craftsmen of the region. Figurines representing foresters, clock or Christmas decoration peddlers, chimney sweepers, miners, bakers and soldiers are common. The smoke usually trailing from their open mouth, with a pipe in hand, or through a chimney of their wood smoke-house.
Carved wooden ornaments in Germany are a very popular Christmas decoration, not only for tourists but also for locals. Many talented wood carvers have chance to demonstrate their craftsmanship and produce amazing pieces of work. A family’s wealth could be shown to seasonal visitors and neighbours by the ornaments hung in their home, the more elaborately carved their decorations, the higher their wealth. The Ore Mountain region in east Germany is known for its wooden carving craftsmanship and still produce high quality wooden ornaments and decorations to this day.
Glass ornaments were also one of the original decorations placed on Christmas trees in Germany. Glassblowers in Germany have been making ornate Christmas decorations since the 16th century. Glass ornaments were and still are skilfully blown from a long tube and while the glass is held, moulded to shape. These are often finished with ornate hand paintings.
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Traditional German beer steins are made typically from two materials;
Both parts of the stein may need cleaning, especially if being used to drink from. Otherwise neither of these material need any regular maintenance as they do not tarnish over time, unlike silver.
Taking care of your stein is extremely easy and does not require any special cleaning products.
A soft cloth or dusting brush will remove any dust and dirt build up externally. You can also use a mild dish soap and warm water to remove any built-up grease or grime.
Do not use harsh chemicals or extraordinarily strong detergents on your stein. Your German beer stein is NOT dishwasher safe.
Unlike many other metals, pewter does not tarnish. Satin or antique style pewter lids do not require any special polishing other than a soft scrub with soapy water and dried with a soft cloth.
If an old stein with a shiny pewter lid needs to be brought back to its full lustre, a paste can be made from the following:
Mix the ingredients into a heavy paste, smother it over the pewter and let it dry. Once dry it can be washed off and rinsed with warm soapy water.
Before drinking from the first time, we highly recommend washing entire stein in warm soapy liquid. Do not fill with corrosive drinks such as soda or juice containing pineapple or tomatoes. This can damage the pewter lid.
Your stein is made from robust materials and doesn't need regular polishing or maintenance.
Light dusting and warm soapy water will remove most dust and grime.
If the pewter has lost its shine over many years you can bring it back to its original lustre with a simple home made mixture.
Your stein is NOT dishwasher safe
To find out more about the history of the traditional German beer stein, click on the button below for our detailed blog post:
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