| A German Christmas | |
20. Dezember
Thomasnacht & Klötzenbacken
The longest night of the year (December 20 or 21) is called die Thomasnacht. The next day, is Thomastag, honoring the apostle Thomas on the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice (Wintersonnenwende). Various superstitions relate to this night (and day). It is a night of ghosts and spirits, and is suppposed to be a good time to predict the future using Bleigiessen ("lead pouring," predicting the future by the shape of molten lead dropped into cold water) or Schuhwerfen (shoe tossing). On Thomasnacht maidens bake Klötzenbrot, a fruit bread containing dried pears ("Klötzen" or "Kletzen"), raisins, figs, plums, and nuts. On this night, maidens hoping to marry toss a shoe or slipper back over their heads. The one whose shoe falls with the tip pointing to the door will marry in the following year. Another old custom is for young women to run outside and hug fruit tree trunks (for fertility).
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