History of Christmas Craftspeople

For many centuries, craftspeople from across Germany have made objects to help people celebrate – and create – family traditions during the holiday season.

From the Erzgebirge region in the Ore Mountains of Germany come Schwibbogen, or light bows – candle holders made in the shape of an arch. The first Schwibbogen, crafted from iron, are believed to have been made in the 1700s to decorate and light churches, later being made from wood and used in the windows of peoples’ homes. It’s also been suggested that the curved shape of Schwibbogen represents the entrance to a mine. An old story tells that at the end of the year, all the miners gather in front of the mines to celebrate Christmas; if there were no fatalities in the mine that year, they hung their lanterns across the mine’s entrance.

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German Saying-of-the-Day

Schenke klein,
aber fein

Give a small gift
and the spirits will lift

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