Chocolate Germany
Childhood Memories of Christmas in Germany
My grandparents migrated from Germany long before I was even a twinkle in my father's eye. My father was two at the time and doesn't remember much of his life in Germany. My grandmother, though, has always stayed in touch with her brothers and sisters remaining in Germany and often longed for a Christmas spent with her family back home. When I was eight, my father made that wish come true for her.
I can still remember the look on my grandmother's face that when my father told her that he was taking her and his family to Germany for two weeks at Christmas (my grandfather had passed the year prior). She had never managed to be in Germany at Christmas time since she left, she always spent Christmas with my grandfather, my father, and our family. She started exclaiming all sorts of things in German and hugging my father, sobbing the whole time.
We arrived in Germany on December 23rd. I was exhausted, but I couldn't sleep as my grandmother kept poking me awake, trying to get me to look at all the decorations in her hometown. I said to her that I thought everything looked rather plain - I was used to the bright lights and almost garish decorations of home. She just laughed, and told me to look closer. When I did, I realized how beautiful everything was, and how very GREEN. There were boughs of fir and pine everywhere. Most were tied on with big red bows, and candles were lit in every window. I was in awe.
We reached her sister's home; we'd be staying with various relatives throughout the two weeks. It was the last Sunday of Advent, and my great aunt asked me to light the Advent candle for the evening. I was so honored - my parents never let me anywhere NEAR our Advent wreath at home. I remember being very nervous that I would drop the lighting candle and catch the wreath on fire.
Christmas Eve, we went to my grandmother's childhood church. I remember her weeping throughout the service. I asked my father why my grandmother was so sad. He told me that it was a combination of happy that she was home again, and sad that my grandfather couldn't be there to spend the time with her. I slid across the pew to give my grandmother a hug.
When we returned home from church, I saw a room open that had previously been shut. I thought it was just a spare bedroom or something, until I saw the glow coming from the Christmas tree. It was glorious. They used real candles on the tree, and the presents were so beautifully wrapped. That's an image I'll never forget.
After the presents came a feast. I must confess that many of the foods were so different for me that I didn't enjoy it as much as I should have. The goose was quite good, and then I loved the marzipan fruits, cookies, and chocolates.
We stayed in Germany through the Feast of the Epiphany, leaving on January 7th. I met so many family members in those weeks, many of which I haven't spoken to since. My grandmother passed away three months later. My father always said that she was just waiting to be able to spend one more Christmas in Germany. All I know is that Christmas in Germany is one I will never forget.
About the Author
Man Makes Chocolate Records
 BIG PACK Ferrero® POCKET COFFEE® espresso 54pc 675g 148lb 100 ARABICA  US $22.45
|
 AMERICAN CANDY ASSORTMENT 24 Wonka Starburst Skittles US $30.30
|
 Kinder Bueno Chocolates case of 30 pcs US $26.99
|
 HAZELNUTS FILBERTS BLANCHED RAW UNSALTED 5LBS US $35.80
|
 Alberts Ice Cubes Bucket 120 ct Original 1 case US $29.99
|
 GREAT VALUE MON CHERI ® with the piemont cherry 60pc filled chocolate US $28.95
|
 KIT KAT DARK CHOCOLATE CANDY BAR 24 15oz 42g Bars US $29.30
|
 SUGAR FEE CHOCOLATE ALMONDS 5LBS US $46.10
|
 BIG PACK Ferrero RAFFAELLO COCONUT CREAM WHITE CHOCOLATE 450g US $25.95
|
 CHOCOLATE SOFT SERVE MIX ICE CREAMFROSTLINE 2 x 6 lbs US $38.00
|
 49 ASSORTED FLAVORS Jelly Belly Beans 3 Pounds Candy US $18.99
|
 Jelly Belly BEAN BOOZLED 35 oz Spinner Gift Box Game US $4.95
|
 DARK CHOCOLATE RAISINS 2LBS US $15.74
|
 KRÜGER Chai Latte Fresh India Classic Chai Ginger Lemon US $7.49
|
 GREAT VALUE Ferrero HANUTA 36 CRUNCHY Nougat Hazelnut Waffles from Germany US $14.95
|
 Organic Black Pearl Handmade Fujian Black Tea 50g US $12.99
|
 EXTRA DESSERT DELIGHTS MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP 20 Packs US $30.30
|
 Premium Keemun Mao Feng Black Tea 50g Free Shipping US $12.99
|
 DARK CHOCOLATE CASHEWS 1LB US $11.14
|
 DARK CHOCOLATE PISTACHIOS 1LB US $13.14
|
 KIDS MIX Jelly Belly Beans ½to3 Pounds Candy US $13.20
|
 Aged 1995 Da Hong Pao Aged Wuyi Yancha oolong 50g US $32.99
|
 RITTER SPORT Chocolate Bar 100g 18 Flavors Strawberry Peppermint Yogurt US $2.59
|
 SNICKERS DARK CHOCOLATE BAR 24 183oz 519g Bars US $29.30
|
 CHOCOLATE DEVOTION Jelly Belly Beans ½to3 Pounds Candy US $13.20
|
 MILK CHOCOLATE ALMONDS 5LBS US $28.26
|
 GREAT VALUE 10 x MAGGI OXTAIL Gourmet Soup US $25.90
|
 Cadbury Flake 99 Milk Chocolate 144 Bars per Box US $37.90
|
 MILKA kakaolinsen 100gr bar from GERMANY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MILKA Limited US $2.39
|
 MILK DARK CHOCOLATE BRIDGE MIX 1LB US $10.34
|
 Ferrero Kinder Country Schokolade 207g Original Germany US $4.99
|
 MILKA CHOCO SWING 300gr from GERMANY Chocolate Cookie US $4.95
|
 JOYVA CHOCOLATE COVERED RASPBERRY JELL RINGS 1LBS US $11.75
|
 STORCK KNOPPERS MINIS milk hazelnut waffles 200g bag from germany US $4.89
|
 MILKA Choc n`Choc 200gr bar from GERMANY US $4.95
|
 MILKA Choco POPCORN 200gr bar from GERMANY NEW US $4.95
|
 MILKA White Ricec 200gr bar from GERMANY US $4.95
|
 MILKA TOFFEE whole HAZELNUT 300gr from GERMANY US $4.95
|
 Nescafe® Dolce Gusto Different Flavours Nesquik Mocha US $9.95
|
 NEW MILKA Chocolate TOFFEE WHOLENUT 300g bar fresh from germany US $4.99
|
 Hershey MILK DUDS Caramel 24 185oz 52g Boxes US $29.30
|
 MOSER ROTH Premium German MILK CHOCOLATE 6 pkgs 30 bars US $22.99
|
 BEAN BOOZLED Fun Spinner Game 35oz Jelly Belly Candy US $19.80
|
 COLD STONE ICE CREAM PARLOR Jelly Belly Beans ½to3 lbs US $3.95
|
 Nestle CARNATION MALTED MILK Powder TWO 13oz ORIGINAL US $19.30
|
 Nescafe ® Dolce Gusto ® capsules different variations US $9.90
|
 VEGEMITE Yeast Extract Kraft AUSTRALIA 150 g JAR exp 06 2012 FREE SHIP TO USA US $18.88
|
 Chocolate Marzipan 100g Milka 5 pack US $15.00
|
 Shui Jin Gui Golden Water Turtle Oolong Tea 50g US $18.99
|
 Milka Chocolate Noisette 5 pack US $15.00
|
 CHOCOLATE VANILLA SOFT SERVE MIXICE CREAM FROSTLINE 12 US $38.00
|
 5 bars Nestle NUTS from germany with whole hazelnuts US $4.99
|
 Asbach Pralinen German Liqueur Brandy Filled Chocolate Mini Bottles Gift Box Set US $13.99
|
| Belgian Chocolates |
|
|
Chocolate Shop at the Schokoladen Museum, Cologne, North Rhine Westphalia, Germany $19.99 Yadid Levy Chocolate Shop at the Schokoladen Museum, Cologne, North Rhine Westphalia, Germany - Photographic Print |
|
|
Germany $19.99 Germany - Masterprint |
|
|
Chocolate $11.96 Chocolate |
|
|
Chocolate: $4.16 Chocolate |
Posted in 
Tags: