Alma Luther, junior

By Michelle Klanke

For German exchange student Alma Luther, Christmas is the most important holiday. She likes it because you come together with your family and have great food. In Germany, families open their presents on Dec. 24. 

A huge part of a German Christmas are the German Christmas markets. Luther loves to go to a huge Christmas market that is throughout the entire downtown of her hometown Stuttgartt. 

“There are different little houses who just sell different kinds of foods,” Luther said. “You can go ice skating. There’s a very large Christmas tree in downtown, and everything just sparkles and looks pretty.”

A tradition for children is that they do not go into the room with the Christmas tree until they hear their mom or dad ring a bell. That means Santa Clause has come and the room is full of presents.

Luther advises anyone who wants to experience German Christmas for the first time to go visit the markets. 

“Go to as many markets as possible,” Luther said. “That’s just one of the greatest things about Christmas time – to go to different Christmas markets and be there with your friends.”