Hi everyone,

I'm really curious about how foreigners living in Germany spend Christmas, especially those who come from regions where Christmas isn't traditionally celebrated (for example my motherland China). For people living here alone, away from family and friends, how do you make the most of the holiday season? (I’m just feeling so bored and come to ask)

Do you join local events, meet up with friends, or just treat it like a regular day?(but there’re still events on Christmas Day?)

I’d love to hear your experiences, ideas, and maybe even suggestions on how to spend Christmas in Germany as a foreigner.

by Constant_South_7953

22 comments

  1. I have booked shifts at my work for 25-26. The Feiertagszuschläge will be raining onto my Konto in 2025 🤩😂

    But generally, work and relax. I treat it as usual days. I plan to go to a Christmas market with my friends on the 24th, otherwise there’s very little going on generally.

    I also know a lot of my friends got invited for Christmas dinners at some peoples homes.

  2. Since you live in Bochum we can meet and drink like Theres No tomorrow

  4. International PhD student here. I’ve been attending a ton of social events and Christmas markets

  5. Everything is silent and dormant usually, so I would advise buy groceries in advance, work or relax, there is not much to do in fact. This is why many foreigners are also flying home for holidays.

  7. Im from new zealand. Christmas hasnt been a big thing to me since i was 18? And here i am living here married to a German woman. Her family, like so many have a big deal with it. I couldnt remember the last time i spent it with any family members and have spent so many alone. For me its just a day with fuck all to do.
    So i dont sing songs, im not bothered by dressing the tree and i dont need to freak out about the supermarket or whatever bakery is open. Its just a day to me. Im happy to have the day iff work and spend it with my wife and doggo.

  8. If you’re at home, stock up some food and cook warm meals. Few Christmas markets are open after 25th as well. Else just travel to a place but book well in advance.

  9. 1. Visit family back home. This works well if you come from warmer (tropical) places.

    2. Go to sunny places like Canary islands.

    3. Do shorter winter trips around Europe

  10. I usually spend it looking at a large moose made of lights having sex with a smaller moose made of lights

  11. If I’m not visiting my girlfriend’s parents or fly back home to visit mine, which will be the first time this year, I go to events and mass at my church, go around to Christmas markets, walk around the city, go on hikes, and spend time with friends and my girlfriend. It’s set to be a fun time, so I’m looking forward to it.

  12. I spent one Christmas alone in Germany some years ago as a student, because I couldn’t fly to my home country. My dorm was pretty much empty as everyone else went home. So I spent the time with some nice food and Harry Potter movie marathon.

  14. Not really off-topic, but not really the answer to the question:

    If you live in Germany and come from a culture that celebrates Christmas in any way: Invite your colleagues and friends from cultures, that don’t!

    For the 6th year in a row now we have a guest at Christmas dinner, who was very happy to have been invited. Especially the single Expats are often very happy to be asked. We’ve had colleagues from Egypt, India and this year Iran who, as it turns out, just had no one to spend the holidays with and are all very happy to be part of the celebrations.

    One thing to note: For my family, Christmas is a very secular holiday. For more religious people, your mileage may vary of course.

  15. Single expat living in Munich alone. I will spend it making cookies and Beef Wellington, just relaxing, reading and watching some movies like Home Alone and Lord of the Rings 🙂

  16. By not taking vacation from work. I save them up to use them to visit home at a later time.

  17. Working. Im a nurse and my boss knows I cover christmas and easter when I get my buddhist holidays off.

  18. We will celebrate Christmas with a family from Marocco, they are Muslims.

    Did it last year too.

    Their 4 years old son, gets Christmas giftd, like german children.
    And they also have a Christmas tree😁

  19. Well, the techno clubs are open if you need something to do😄 loads of people go out in the bigger cities after the family festivities are done (most on the 25. or 26.)

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