Gemütlichkeit & clean boots

Gemütlichkeit

…a state of coziness, contentment, and good cheer.

My childhood memories are rooted in the Thüringen forest in winter. A Brothers Grimm, fairy-tale kind of place, the dark forest was my playground that spilled into the glowing warmth of the village. Imagine stomping through the sharp cold of night, the twinkling lights and aroma of Oma’s Stollen serving as breadcrumbs calling you home.

The season’s Gemütlichkeit always commenced with Nikolaus, or St. Nicholas Day—a German tradition where children clean their boots and leave them outside their doors on the night of December 5th, hoping that Nikolaus will visit, filling them with small gifts, chocolates, oranges, nuts, or sweets as a reward for good behavior throughout the year.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Nikolaus Tag without Knecht Ruprecht, aka Krampus—the devilish helper of St. Nick who would give switches for use on the bad children, before dragging them into the woods.

Coming in from the woods, hands pink and stinging as they worked the leather of my boots to a shine, I dreamed of the treasures they would hold come morning, and hoped Krampus wouldn’t make an appearance. Today, on the eve of Nikolaus, I wrap myself in the memories of my childhood in Germany and invite you to join me to soak up the Gemütlichkeit next year when we embark on a luminescent Christmas journey through Germany’s oldest, largest, and sweetest Christmas markets. We’ll even clean our boots for Nikolaus, so be warned, and be on your best behavior!

Speaking of, have you cleaned your boots yet for tomorrow?