German Easter

Are you looking for a German Easter gift? Then you have come to the right place.

Before we present you some german easter gift options, it is a good idea to understand the easter tradition in germany.

Ostern is important to Catholics and
Protestants alike

Easter is a holiday that is celebrated by the Catholic and Christian religions, and has also become a secular holiday. Typically celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox, it normally is observed between March 22 and April 25th.

Known as Ostern in German speaking countries of Austria, Germany and Switzerland, it is important to Catholics and Protestants alike.

Origins of German Easter Customs:

Easter customs can be traced back to pre-Christian, pagan rites that were related to the beginning of Spring and fertility, symbolized by daffodils, rabbits and eggs.

The art of decorating hollowed out eggs, Easter eggs or ausgeblasene Eier, is an Austrian and German tradition.

Easter Bunny (Osterhase) tradition is
more than 500 years old

Modern German Easter Events:

Today, the Satzvey Castle, which is a beautiful, moated castle in Germany, has an Easter market that displays elaborately decorated eggs along with spring inspired arts and crafts.

Saxony holds a traditional Easter parade with 250 horsemen and traditional costumes.

The town centers in Southern Germany decorate their fountains for two weeks starting on Good Friday and Northern Germany celebrates by burning big piles of logs, sometimes with a witch puppet to signify the end of Winter. Beer, hot punch and grilled sausages are served.

In Franconian Switzerland to Northern Bavaria, the city fountains are decorated with real, blown eggs.

Egg Trees - part of easter decoration

Easter trees (Ostersträuche) have been a part of Easter celebrations in Germany. Trees and Vines are decorated with hollowed-out eggs that are dyed and hung with colorful ribbon during the week of Easter. The painted and decorated eggs are sold for several dollars in stores and some people make them at home in Germany. Often this is a great crafting event together with children.

Traditional German Foods
That also Make Good Gift Ideas:

On the Thursday before Easter (Gründonnerstag), it’s traditional to eat green dishes. The seven herb soup which contains spinach, parsley, leeks, chives dandelion, sorrel and mint is served.

On Good Friday (Karfreitag), fish is eaten for dinner and Lamb is typically served on Easter Sunday.

Eggs with green sauce is prepared from any herbs leftover from the Thursday soup. White asparagus is also served with the green sauce on some meals.

Traditional German Easter Gifts:

The tradition of boiling eggs and decorating them began in Germany, and along with other gifts, were given to children.

Today, an assortment of pralines, German Chocolates, handmade truffles and candies are given in an Easter basket.

Modern German Easter Gift Ideas:

Why not take some of the traditional and some of the new a make a German Easter gift basket? You could put in an assortment of German beers, wines and sausages for adult friends, or make a traditional German Chocolates, truffles, pralines, and Easter bunny cookies basket that is good for all ages.

An herb bundle basket with the recipe for seven herb soup or a leg of Lamb with decorated, boiled eggs and green sauce is another idea. There are collectible, jeweled eggs or you could buy or make an egg tree centerpiece.

Learn german easter terms fro free

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