, Germany (German States) (German Empire)
1913 - Christmas in Germany

Cakes weighing from one to twelve pounds are made in Friedrichstadt. They place them in exalted position and play to them, representing, as they say they do, St. Nicholas. Of rye bread they make a boar or hog, six or seven inches high, with gilt snout and tail, with gold rings around its knees. The business men put good they have exhibited for sale on a revolving disk and raffle them off.

Klingeest (King of Jesus or Child Jesus) presides over all Christmas celebrations in Schlewsig-Holstein. He is supposed to bring presents to the children, and sometimes punishes the naughty ones.

On Christmas day in Ditmarsh the cattle get an extra allowance of fodder. The cats and dogs, too, get better meals. At times the cattle are admitted to the higher joys to the extent that a candle is placed above the trough from which they feed, just as each member of the family has his own candle, made by himself. Those candles must be heavy and big, for the one that goes out first will die first.

Some of the Germans believe that those born on Christmas day have the power of seeing spirits, and even of commanding them.

The after-dinner dishes must not be washed at once. They must be left until ten minutes before midnight, when the young folks take them outside to a well and wash them, for in the water they can, at midnight, see the faces of their future lovers and sweethearts.

The Stanstead Journal
Rock Island, Quebec, Canada
December 25, 1913

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