Holiday cheer

From Christmas markets and mulled wine to family gatherings and traditional food, find out how Germany celebrates the holiday season.

Santa Claus with a bell and book in hand — Image: picture-alliance/dpa

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From Christmas markets and mulled wine to family gatherings and traditional food, find out how Germany celebrates the holiday season.

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Reports & Analysis

Festive favorite

The Christmas tree didn't become a common fixture in German living rooms until the 19th century.

A German Christmas abroad

During the holiday season, the Christkindlmarkt in Chicago offers a slice of Germany. At the annual Christmas market, visitors can sample traditional German foods and drinks.

German Ifo index rising

The mood among German business leaders has risen for the second consecutive month in December, the Ifo research group has found. As tensions in the eurozone ease, German CEOs expect a pick up in their business.

Tree time

The Tannenbaum may be typically German, but how important are trees in the German capital?

Bavarian Christmas Stand in Edinburgh

The Drliczek family from Bavaria has been running Christmas market stalls in Edinburgh for 13 years now and supplying the locals with traditional German Christmas fare.

'Tis (always) the season

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is Germany's holiday capital and home to a unique museum.

Christmas: What’s Cooking in Europe

For this week's series, we asked chefs around Europe to cook up a regional Christmas speciality. From traditional Swiss fondue to a Spanish lamb roast, we reveal the history and ingredients of quintessential European Christmas dishes. The first installment serves up a German treat -- crisp-skinned roasted duck prepared by chef Wito Hauenstein at the restaurant

Räuchermännchen

Learn a funny, quirky German word each week with DW's Word of the Week feature. This week: Räuchermännchen.

It's a Wrap

Personal Assistant Ulrike Meyer from Hamburg has made it her job to custom wrap her clients' Christmas presents in unique and surprising ways. We accompany her as she hunts for ideas and supplies in the mad rush to the holidays.

Stollen

A Vegan Christmas

Christmas time in Germany serves up traditional treats such as rich ginger-bread and crisp-skinned roast goose. But what do you do if you reject animal products? It's an issue faced by 700 thousand people in Germany - and they're not short of inventive options.

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DW's Top Story

Steinmeier: Christmas makes our lives more hopeful

In his Christmas address, Germany's president praised the "beautiful traditions and rituals" of the festive season.

Pope Leo decries suffering in Gaza in Christmas message

Cold rush: Christmas Day dippers take the plunge

Pope Leo, Donald Trump differ on course of United States

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