Re: Re: [GRD] Re: OT Christmas tree

Thanks for the info Linda.  I'll check it out.  Have not looked for lights in 
a long time, since I have become accustomed to having the reg. white lights 
now....which are also used most often now in Germany also by the way.

An apple house is a house like structure made out of fresh apples and 
inbetween to hold it together...twigs or carved sticks.  Four apples on 
bottom, four on top and one in the center a bit higher for the roof.  On the 
bottom of the house, a doily was placed, or a bed of straw or fir branches. 

It was used in Germany/Bohemia/Austria before Martin Luther introduced the 
use of the Christmas tree.  Back then the houses were built with very thick 
walls,  with double windows that included a space in between as wide as the 
walls (approx. a foot or so).  This is where they often put the baked goods 
to cool, bottles of wine to chill, and occasionally potted plants.  During 
the advent season, the children made these apple houses which were placed in 
this window space.......the Christkindl  would come and leave fruit and candy 
to those that were good.  If one was bad Krampus would come to leave lumps of 
coal.  

Christmas goose or duck.....whatever one had and their preference.  My 
grandparents much prefered duck over goose......and Trout over Carp. 
I'm sure that traditions differ geographically as well......although it is 
interesting how similar traditions are between countries....especially 
bordering countries.
Noreen
zone 9
Texas Gulf Coast



In a message dated 12/12/2002 11:27:58 AM Central Standard Time, 
lja@direcway.com writes:
> 
> 
> Noreen, try www.christmasdepot.com.  I believe that is where I saw electric
> candles on strings.  If not, just run a search for Christmas lights or
> string lights and you will be amazed at the variety that is available.
> 
> What is an apple house?
> 
> I thought the German tradition was a Christmas goose...does it depend on the
> part of Germany you come from?
> 
> Linda in Wyoming

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