How To Be A German Mom

A COLLECTION OF INVALUABLE LESSONS ON LIFESTYLE, FOOD, CULTURE & CELEBRATION I’VE GATHERED FROM MY GERMAN MOM.

HOW TO BE A

German M om created by

Julia Marsh

D E D I C AT E D T O M Y B E AU T I F UL G E R M A N M OM

Patricia Langrehr-Marsh

FOREWORD

Why German Moms?

WA R U M D E U T S C H E MUTTER? The day I turned 8, my German Mom baked an elaborate hedge-hog shaped cake, hand decorated with dozens of chocolate cookie quills. Soon after, she taught me how to shine my shoes, iron a collared shirt, and clean windows with the utmost care.

At age 9, I learned that coffee and cake are not simply foods but rather a necessary offering and ritual which one must make to any house guest. By age 10, I was taught how to bake Zimtsterne and set the table for Christmas with glassware passed down from my greatgrandmother.

I share these anecdotes not to revel in nostalgia, but rather to say that the expectations my mom had for me at a young age helped me to become a more organized, creative, and self-assured person. And this was not an isolated experience! The men and women I know who were also raised by German Moms were taught these same lessons.

If you’re feeling uninspired, desire a change in your daily routine, or just wish to learn a bit about German culture, this guide has something for you. Learn to be more like a German Mom and your life may just become a little more efficient, flavorful, and wunderschÜn.

T able of C ontents I N H A LT S V E R Z E I C H N I S

1 Lifestyle Tips on punctuality, saving money, taking proper care of your belongings and beyond.

2 Food Classic recipes, favorite flavors, and centuries-old dining etiquette with a modern twist.

3 Culture A summary of the most German parts of German motherhood – language, history, and tradition.

4 Celebrations Learn how to celebrate everything from birthdays to Christmas with particular exuberance.

chapter

1

Lifestyle Perhaps the most significant influence over any early 21st century German Mom is that she was most likely raised by grandparents and parents who saw WWII. Absolute and total frugality was key to every part of her childhood ― food, clothes, energy ― everything. Lessons in frugality can benefit you, too, in every part of life. But don’t mistake frugality for simple thriftiness! The following tips and tricks aren’t the kinds of things you’ll find on the web; they’re tried and true methods for making the most of everything you have access to.

covers topics on

efficiency & self-care

LIFESTYLE

Historical Context HISTORISCHER KONTEXT Before getting too deep into what makes up a German Mom’s lifestyle, it’s crucial to first discuss the context of her upbringing. I can speak most specifically to my own German Mom’s past – she, like many women her age, was raised primarily by her grandmother. Omi, as we called her, lived through WWII. This is not a part of history which we are proud of, nor do we much like to discuss. But those difficult times made frugality, efficiency, and hard work all the more important.

The lessons Omi instilled in my German Mom have carried on into how she raised my sister and me: Prioritize work over everything else. Never waste food in any capacity. Be as industrious as you can in all that you do. Show your family as much love as posssible.

Basic Self- Care

1

everything must be ironed.

2

arrive 15 minutes early.

3

put value in fresh air.

Shirts, bed linen, underwear - truly everything must be ironed.

Meticulous attention to your laundry will result in a more organized life.

There is no such thing as “4ish.” If you agree to meet someone at 4, you arrive at the very latest by 3:55. If you arrive at 4, you’re already late.

Even the überproduktiv German Mom knows the benefits of taking a breather. You will be more efficient if you take little breaks to refresh.

have nail files & lint 4 always rollers on hand.

Presentation and self-maintenance are key to your success. Tidiness will help you to make friends and impress your colleagues.

5 wear layers.

It always pays to wear multiple layers of clothing. Rain without a jacket, or sun without a t-shirt, is tragic to a German Mom.

6

do it right the first time.

This lesson applies to work, cleaning, communication – everything. Do it right the first time and you won’t have to go back and clean up a mess.

LIFESTYLE

Green

Thumbs G RĂœ N E DAU M E N German Moms tend to have particularly green thumbs.

This probably stems from Gartenkolonie culture in Germany. During the wars, people would rent small spaces of land to do their gardening. The gardens allowed them to survive when agricultural goods could not reach the city markets. To this day, these little garden colonies are used by Germans to grow fruits and vegetables, and also provide space to spend time with nature, relax, and host social events.

Gartenkolonies are also renowned for hosting all forms of kitsch. The garden gnome (Gartenzwerg) immediately comes to mind, but elaborate water fountains and miniature windmills are other popular garden accessories.

So, if you wish to be more like a German Mom: bring some plants into the home to liven things up a bit, plant a row of dahlias or tulips on your balcony, grow tomatoes and squash on your roof, and perhaps decorate the patio with a garden gnome (or two). Just for fun.

Tricks for Frugal Living TRICKS FĂœR GENĂœGSAMES LEBEN To a German Mom, nearly every item you own is reusable. This belief comes from having been raised by a generation which lived through WWII. Though this ideology was born out of pure necessity, today there are many things we overlook but would do well to save.

For instance, Ziploc bags may seem disposable, but simply washing them after each use saves you money every month! And why purchase paper towels when you can simply re-use cloth ones? Invest in a shoe polishing kit and your boots are set for life. Some things are simply worth taking care of!

9 german mom ITEMS

You Can Use Forever IMMER NÃœTZLICH

TEA STR AI NER

Plastic Bags

DISH TOWELS

Necessary for your daily tea!

Easy to wash and resuse!

Washable and everlasting.

T H RE AD

Glass Jars

G O OD S C ISS ORS

All clothing can be mended.

Who needs tupperware?

Never not useful.

P OT HOLDER S

Egg Cups

SHOE P OLISH

Durable and washable.

Essential for proper breakfast.

May good shoes never die.

Socks can last a lifetime. just keep patching them up!

For that matter, jeans can always be re-patched. Clothes are recycled between children and friends. Halloween costumes are sewn by hand.

The typical German Mom has a sewing machine and a pile of clothes that need to be mended at all times. Sometimes she’ll insist on fixing friends and neighbors’ clothing as well so as to not let them waste money.

Food never goes bad. just cut off the bad bits!

Use every part of every fruit. An apple is not bad if it has a bruise. A banana’s not rotten if it’s all brown. Simply put them in a blender and voilá! You have a smoothie.

This kind of resourcefulness is undoubtedly a result of being raised by the most frugal of grandmothers. Bread is not bad if the moldy part can be cut off, nor is yogurt if you can scoop out the old parts (no, really!).

chapter

2

Food When you think of German foods, bratwurst and schnitzel likely come to mind first. To the German Mom, however, this is simply not the case. German cooking celebrates a bounty of flavors beyond kraut ― especially for my mom, who was raised working for her family’s bakery in Hannover. She learned to properly butcher a pig at age 12. She can make nearly any cake you imagine. This is not an uncommon relationship with food for a German Mom, and it translates into countless beautiful traditions for every breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Your life will actually improve with these recipes and traditions, each of which celebrate flavor and the ritual of eating.

Includes

RECIPES & eating TRADITIONS

,

German Breakfast DEU T S C H E S F RÜH ST ÜC K

1

BRöTCHEN

2

SOFT-BOILED EGGS

3

LIVERwurst, RAW BEEF & PROSCIUTTO

An assortment of rolls and little breads in all shapes and flavors. The most popular are Schrippen (plain white), an array of whole-grain rolls, pumpkin seed, rye and spelt, soft pretzel rolls, and Vollkornbrot (whole grain bread).

A splendid tradition far superior to the hard-boiled alternative. Each egg sits in a cup and wears a little hat to keep it warm. The egg is then scooped out and spread on bread. The recipe for this dish is on the following page.

What German Mom doesn’t love liverwurst? Add a little mustard and you’ll have one happy mama! Other meats invited to the table are Mett (spreadable raw beef), Schinken (prosciutto), as well as salami and sliced ham.

4 A VARIETY OF CHEESES

Any and all cheeses are welcome to join a German breakfast spread. Most popular are brie, havarti, gouda, cheddar, Swiss, and goat cheeses.

5 JAMs, marmalades & NUTELLA

Following all these savory delights, every German breakfast requires some options for the sweet tooth! Fruit spreads from orange marmalade to plum jam are featured, alongside the a necessary (large) jar of Nutella.

6

FRESH FRUITS Because these meals tend to air on the less healthy side, a fruit salad or arrangement of fresh frutis – oranges, kiwi, watermelon, strawberries being the most popular – are also offered.

S oft Boiled Eggs WEICHGEKOCHTE EIER The perfect soft-boiled egg should have firm, custard-like whites and a warm, runny yolk — this is what my mom taught me as a child and it’s still the standard to which I hold my soft-boiled eggs today. An egg like this is just right for scooping daintily from the shell and eating with buttered toast soldiers, an experience that always feels both sophisticated and happily childlike to me.

Ingredients

Directions

1-6 fresh eggs

1. Bring water to a gentle simmer in a medium pot.

3 quarts water Course salt Assorted breads

2. Gently lower eggs into water with a slotted spoon or strainer (do not drop eggs into water, as they might crack).

3. Cook for exactly 6 minutes, then remove eggs with slotted spoon and serve.

P otato P ancakes K ARTOFFE LPUFFE R A quintessential German treat beloved across every region of Germany, Kartoffelpuffer are not only a favorite dish to serve at home but are also a popular street food. For my mom, these potato pancakes bring her back to memories of going to her Omi and Opi’s house. Omi would regularly make these for her, served with Apfelmus and Lachs (applesauce and salmon).

Ingredients

Directions

2 1/2 pounds starchy potatoes, peeled and very finely grated

1. Thoroughly wring out the liquid in the grated

1 small yellow onion, very finely grated 2 large eggs 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (as needed) 1 teaspoon sea salt Neutral-tasting oil for frying Applesauce Sour cream

potatoes by placing them in a colander and squeezing them with your hands.

2. Place the drained grated potatoes in a medium-

sized bowl with the grated onion, eggs, flour and salt and use your hands to work it into a tacky mixture. Add a little more flour if needed. Do not let the mixture sit for long before using it.

3. Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a non-stick pan

over medium-high heat and place 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the mixture (depending on size preference) in the hot pan and flatten into pancakes with the back of a spoon. Fry on both sides for 3-5 minutes until the Kartoffelpuffer are golden. Place them briefly on paper towels.

4. Serve immediately while hot with applesauce.

For a savory version serve with herbed yogurt, quark or creme fraiche and salmon.

FOOD

Coffee and Cake KAFFEE & KUCHEN

The British have their tea time, the Germans celebrate their coffee and cake tradition. Sunday afternoons are the perfect time to sit together and enjoy a cup of coffee and a piece of homemade cake. It is a pleasant way of spending time with friends, neighbors or family.

Bringing or providing Kuchen indicates a certain level of caring and respect.

If you wish to show your friends you care for them German-Mom style, but have neither the time nor the talent to bake something yourself, just visit the nearest bakery, pick up a nice cheesecake or crumbly pie, and invite people to share with you over coffee.

chapter

3

Culture German Mom culture surrounds an ideology of selflessness. Selflessness begets little time for oneself - so when opportunities arise to relieve stress (such as gossiping in a supermarket) she will take them! This chapter also just barely touches the surface on how German Mom culture is intertwined with language and style (missing are many valuable pieces of relationship advice, political practices, expressions of creativity etc.) but does offer a glimpse into the ideology at the root of German motherhood – efficiency.

covers topics on

language & style

CULTURE

Only Deep

Conversation K E I N S M A L LTA L K !

For the German Mom, polite small-talk does not happen.

If you ask her how they are in a grocery store, she won’t say “fine.” Maybe you’ve already run into a German Mom and wondered why you get a 15-minute monologue on her health, finances, and personal life after greeting her with a simple “How are you?”

The reason behind this is that “How are you?” isn’t just a polite phrase in German, it’s a serious question. People expect you to answer and talk about your life.

If you run into a German Mom at a grocery store or at work and don’t want to end up in a long conversation, it’s better to just say “Hallo!” and keep moving.

German Mom Footwear MUTTER SCHUHE If you’re a German Mom, you’re constantly on the move. This means practical shoes are a must for every occasion. If the shoe itself isn’t practical, you’ll buy insoles. If your friends or spouse or children wish to wear less practical shoes, you will insist on sneaking insoles into them.

The most common German Mom shoes are highly traditional – Birkenstocks, clogs and house slippers are unequivocally Deutsch. If you wish to also be both comfortable and practical on a day to day basis, perhaps you should also own this perfect trifecta of German Mom footwear.

The 3 Favorites D I E 3 FAV O R I T E N

classic

BIR K ENSTO C K

Made and distributed in Germany, this brand of sandal is most notable for its contoured cork and rubber footbeds, which conform somewhat to the shape of their wearers’ feet. In addition to being highly traditional, these shoes have also become trendy with millenials.

For everyday wear.

functional Most German Moms will have some form of the clog in their repetoire of footwear. Clogs are both professional and discreet, highly functional and not entirely ugly. A popular choice for both the office and the weekend.

CLO G Best for work and outings.

comfortable

HOUSE SLI PPE R To be worn around the home.

German Moms do not like cold feet, nor do they like dirty floors.

Chances are if you visit a German Mom’s house, you’ll be asked to remove your shoes at the door and wear some variation of a house shoe or slipper inside.

CULTURE

Words to Live By WÖRT E R ZUM LE BE N

There’s a tendency for Germans to use terminology and idioms quite distinct from Americans, but German Moms use even more particular phrases.

While many sound ridiculous, the lessons buried underneath the metapher are quite salient.

For instance, in middle school I had great difficulty remembering the definitions of words for vocabulary exams. My mom taught me to use “Donkey Bridges” as she called them; a method for connecting two ideas more easily (mnemonic devices). This trick worked incredibly well for me, and I’ve used donkey bridges to remember information ever since.

Look beyond the quirkiness of the following phrases and more towards what wisdoms you can draw. You’ll find yourself becoming more like a German Mom instantaneously!

I’ve seen the

horse vomit in front of the pharmacy. “ Ich hab’ schon Pferde vor der Apotheke kotzen sehen.”

Suggests that impossible things can happen, similar to the American phrase “when pigs fly.” Apparently it is biologically impossible for a horse to throw up.

Build a

donkey bridge.

“ Baue eine Eselsbrücke.”

This idiom refers to a mental tool that creates a connection between two ideas in order to remember them more easily.

You have

tomatoes on your eyes. “ Du hast Tomaten auf dein Augen.”

You are not seeing what everyone else can see. This idiom refers to real objects, though — not abstract meanings.

Now we have the salad! “ jetzt haben wir den salat.”

Used when something goes wrong or when some kind of misfortune couldn’t be averted. A salad consists of different ingredients mixed together and portrays the “chaos” the idiom refers to.

Everything has an end. Only the sausage has two. “ Alles hat ein Ende, nur die Wurst hat zwei.�

Quite simply - everything must come to an end. This may refer to relationships, the holdiday season, etc. There are very few exceptions to this rule.

Not all the

cups are in the cupboard. “ Nicht alle Tassen im Schrank haben.”

Referring to a person that is crazy. A similar idiom might be the English expression “Not playing with a full deck.” Other idioms having the same meaning are “To have a bird” (Einen Vogel haben).

chapter

4

Celebration Germany is not known for its cheery weather, nor for the happiness of its people. This is a common misconception, however. Germans (and German Moms in particular) are extremely proficient in the art of celebration. Unnecessary quantities of decorations explode out of every household at any given opportunity. At every step of the way there are fabulous foods, songs, costumes, and myths to help inspire that childlike sense of wonder. If you celebrate the holidays with even an ounce of German Mom enthusiasm, you’ll find yourself as happy as can be.

How-to’s on

HOLIDAYS

CELEBRATE

Birthday Festivities G E B U RT S TA G S F E I E R N German Moms celebrate birthdays much in the same way that Americans do; there are songs, cake, presents and parties. However, a few key differences are sprinkled in here and there that make German birthday celebrations a little quirky.

For instance; one must never wish someone a happy birthday before their birthday. This would be insulting.

If you live in Northern Germany (as my German Mom did) and are not married by your 30th birthday, you’ll be expected to clean all the door knobs in your house with a toothbrush.

German Moms will also go the extra mile when it comes to celebrating others’ birthdays - decorating th entire house with streamers and banners, baking a specialized cake, and hosting a series of birthday feasts from breakfast till dinner.

Christmas Rituals

1

put your shoes out on st. nicholas day.

2

christmas markets are vermisst.

3

german christmas carols are pure joy.

If you are spending December 6th in Germany, make sure to leave your shoes outside the door. Santa Claus, or Weihnachtsmann, visits on this evening to fill your shoes with sweets, oranges, walnuts, cookies, and small Santa Claus figurines made out of chocolate.

In Germany there is a rich tradition of giant outdoor Christmas Markets (Weihnachtsmärkte) in every village. Each sells hot drinks such as mulled wine, along with Kartoffelpuffer, wurst, beer, cheeses, potatoes, and more.

With such hits as Stille Nacht, O Tannenbaum, and Kling GlĂśckchen, you can understand why the typical German Mom gets excited about caroling. I encourage you to sing songs at the top of your lungs, much like my German Mom does every Christmas. It will bring you joy.

4 presents are opened on christmas eve.

One of the most significant differences from American Christmas; though children are still told that Santa Claus delivered their gifts, all presents are opened on the eve of Christmas.

5 real candles in the christmas tree.

A quirky tradition that has lasted centuries; real candles are still used to decorate trees in many German households. Real candles are also used in Advent wreaths which are often suspended over the dining room table and lit every Sunday in December.

Deck the Halls DECK DIE HALLEN German Moms go all out for Christmas. Imagine every surface in the house covered with little Santas and snowmen, wooden carvings adorning every table, wreaths and red berries lining ever doorway, and wreaths hung wherever possible. And that description omits the Christmas tree, which will be immaculately designed with a comprehensive theme every year without fail.

These German Mom Christmases are also marked by particular traditions and routines each year - making Winterzeit tea, baking many, many cookies, and singing Christmas carols.

9 german mom essential

Christmas Classics W E I H NA C H T S D E K O R AT I O N E N

ADV ENT W R E ATH

Wooden Scenes

WINTER ZEIT T E A

One candle is lit every Sunday.

Delicately crafted.

A taste of the holiday spirit.

MILK A CHO COL ATE

Wood Glockenspiel

C LEMENTINE S

Appears in every stocking.

The most iconic decoration.

Often found in stockings.

FRAGILE ORNAMENTS

Smokin Santa

FINE GLA SSWAR E

Passed down from generations.

Classic dolls which emit smoke.

Never forget your past.

Sweets

&

Cookies SÜßIGKEITEN

Everyone knows about German chocolate, and gummies are pretty well known too. However, during Christmastime it is the baked goods that are most prevalent in German Mom culture. From Marzipanstollen (a kind of marzipan fruitcake) to Lebkuchen (gingerbread), German Moms know how to make a tasty holiday treat.

Most Christmas-time goodies are actually Kekse, or cookies. My mom’s list of classic cookies may be a kilometer long, but the key players are as follows: Zimtsterne (cinnamon stars), Vanillekipferln (vanilla crescents), Pfeffernüsse (pepper and nuttiness), and Linzers ( jam-sandwiches). I’ve included just a couple recipes for you to try your hand at some German Mom baking of your own!

M arzipan S tollen M A R Z I PA N S T O L L E N As a traditional German fruitcake with a profound history, it’s no wonder that there are as many variations of stollen as there are people who make it. This version includes a rich filling of marzipan, which adds to the decadence of the bread-like cake. Stollen’s dense coating makes it perfect for preparing ahead of the busy holiday season, wrapping, and giving to friends and family up to 2 weeks later.

Ingredients

Directions

100g mixed dried fruit with peel

1. Soak the dried fruit in 100ml of hot water. Gently

7g dried yeast

warm the apple juice for a few mins in a pan, then add the yeast and leave to activate for 10-15 mins (it will start to bubble).

250g plain flour, plus extra for dusting

2. Put the flour in a bowl. Stir in the yeast and apple

180ml apple juice

30g blanched whole almonds Generous pinch of ground cinnamon Generous pinch of ground aniseed Small pinch of ground cloves 75g cold marzipan, cut into small pieces 10g butter, melted 1 tbsp icing sugar

juice mixture to form a smooth dough, then cover and leave to prove somewhere warm until roughly doubled in size, about 1-2 hrs. You can also put the dough in the fridge to rise slowly overnight.

3. Drain the fruit and add to the dough along with

the nuts, spices and marzipan. Squish everything together, then turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until the fruit stays in the dough.

4. Shape the dough into a sausage shape and put

it on a baking tray lined with baking parchment.

Cover with a clean tea towel and leave to prove somewhere warm for 30 mins–1 hr until it has risen by about a quarter.

5. Heat oven to 350F. Bake the stollen for 20 mins, then reduce oven to 300F and bake for 25-30 mins more until golden brown and firm to the touch.

6. Remove the stollen from the oven and brush

all over with the melted butter. Dust with the icing sugar and leave to cool completely before slicing.

Store any remaining stollen, well wrapped, in an airtight container.

C innamon S tars ZIMTSTERNE Zimtsterne cookies are a very traditional part of Christmas in Germany. If you wonder why, it’s because cinnamon and almonds taste great together! Many people buy them packaged, but they are easy to make and taste better than the store-bought ones. Handmade cookies are also appreciated as little gifts, or Mitbringseln, when visiting friends!

Ingredients

Directions

1 1/2 cups (about 8 ounces) hazelnuts or blanched almonds, finely ground

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2. Combine the nuts, cinnamon, and zest. Beat

3/4 teaspoon grated lemon zest 1/4 cup egg whites (about 2 large) Pinch of salt 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar About 1/2 cup additional confectioners’ sugar for rolling

sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

the egg whites on low speed until foamy, about 30 seconds. Add the salt, increase the speed to medium-high, and beat until soft peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and beat until stiff and glossy, 5 to 8 minutes. Reserve one-third of the meringue (about 1/3 cup) and fold the nut mixture into the remaining meringue.

3. Place a large piece of waxed paper on a flat

surface and sprinkle with additional confectioners’ sugar. Place the nut mixture on the sugar, lightly sprinkle with more confectioners’ sugar, top with a second piece of waxed paper, and roll out 1/4 inch thick. Remove the top piece of waxed paper.

4. Using a cookie cutter dipped in water, cut into

2-inch star shapes or use a sharp knife to cut into diamonds. Reroll and cut any scraps. Place on the prepared baking sheet.

5. Bake until set, 10 to 12 minutes. Spread the

reserved meringue over the top of the cookies and bake until the tops are lightly colored, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool.

Zimtsternen taste best if allowed to stand for 24 hours. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.

a favorite

Christmas Carol E I N L I E BL I NG S W E I H NAC H T S L I E D

Ring Little Bell KLING GLÖCKCHEN

auf deutsch

in english

Kling, Glöckchen klingelingeling,

Ring, little bell, ring-a-ling-a-ling,

Kling Glöckchen kling!

Ring, little bell, ring!

Laßt mich ein, ihr Kinder,

Let me in, you children,

Ist so kalt der Winter,

It’s the cold of winter,

öffnet mir die Türen,

Open the doors for me,

laßt micht nicht erfrieren!

Oh, don’t let me freeze!

Kling, Glöckchen klingelingeling,

Ring, little bell, ring-a-ling-a-ling,

Kling Glöckchen kling!

Ring, little bell, ring!

Kling, Glöckchen klingelingeling,

Ring, little bell, ring-a-ling-a-ling,

Kling Glöckchen kling!

Ring, little bell, ring!

Mädchen hört und Bübchen,

Girls and boys listen to me,

Macht mir auf das Stübchen!

Open up the room for me!

Bring’euch milde Gaben,

I bring you many presents,

Sollt euch dran erlaben.

You should enjoy them.

Kling, Glöckchen klingelingeling,

Ring, little bell, ring-a-ling-a-ling,

Kling Glöckchen kling!

Ring, little bell, ring!

Kling, Glöckchen klingelingeling,

Ring, little bell, ring-a-ling-a-ling,

Kling Glöckchen kling!

Ring, little bell, ring!

Hell erglühn die Kerzen,

Brightly glowing candles,

Öffnet mir die Herzen,

Open your hearts to me,

Will drin wohnen fröhlich,

I would come inside gladly,

Frommes Kind, wie selig!

Holy child, how blessed!

Kling, Glöckchen klingelingeling,

Ring, little bell, ring-a-ling-a-ling,

Kling Glöckchen kling!

Ring, little bell, ring!

CELEBRATE

Easter

Traditions O ST E RT R ADI T IONE N The best Easter traditions come from Germany. It was, after all, in western Germany that the Easter bunny (Osterhase) was born. In Germany there are Easter Markets in town squares which sell chocolate rabbits and jam-filled pastries. On the night of Easter Sunday, giant bonfires are lit across to the country to welcome in the sun and the spring.

Germans love to decorate their house and garden with Easter decorations, and it is the German Mom who typically carries out these traditions.

My favorite German Mom tradition is the Osterbaum.

Eggs are hollowed out (my mom always turns the egg whites into chocolate mousse!) and then intricate patterns and designs are painted onto the eggs. These brightly colored eggs are then hung by string on branches cut from pussy willows or other flowering bushes or small living trees. In our home, the branches were suspended above the dining room table. This tradition brings real joy and color into the home.

S VA M FA D E S I G N ‘ 1 9