Christmas in the GDR: Memories of tranquil celebrations

Christmas in the GDR: Memories of tranquil celebrations

On Boxing Day, December 26, 2025, the contemplative holiday is still celebrated in many German households. As the memories of Silke Krasselt from Greifswald show, Christmas in the GDR is often a topic that connects generations. The Nordkurier asked readers to write down their experiences of the festival in the former GDR. Krasselt, who was born in Leipzig in 1954, tells of a Christmas season in which her family never had to go hungry.

In her memories, she repeatedly emphasized that the Western packages that she and her family received were just a “nice extra.” Her grandmother worked as a private tax advisor and provided the family with, among other things, prized “bum goods” such as pork loin and mushrooms. She particularly remembers the large toy stores in Leipzig, with “Wagner & Sohn” as the highlight. Her mother also reported how the Christmas preparations always involved great effort. The festive evening was characterized by a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and delicious food - a menu consisting of starters, soup, roast and dessert, which was enjoyed together with Christmas carols on the piano.

Christmas in the GDR – A family celebration

Traditionally, Christmas in the GDR was a festival that was celebrated with the family, but often also in companies and associations. Klaus Horn, director of the GDR exhibition “Deudera” in Erfurt, explains that the celebrations were broader and it was common to make gifts yourself. The preciousness of the gifts was not the main focus; rather, it was about the idea and the thought behind it. N-tv and Berlin courier note that these holidays were designed with a lot of creativity and love.

A popular element of Christmas decoration in the GDR was tinsel, which was made from aluminum foil. Families carefully collected it after the holidays to use again next year. In many households, Christmas trees were often made up of two trees - a practical solution as the selection of trees was not always plentiful. N-tv also describes how the sense of community that was enhanced through shared holiday activities and singing Christmas carols continues to this day.

A legacy that lasts

Silke Krasselt's memories reveal a deep-rooted connection to Christmas. Every year she received a dollhouse, which she still owns today and which also brings joy to her grandchildren. Her brother was happy about an electric train and traditional Punch and Judy puppet. But even in later years, the grandmother continued to give her grandchildren knitted sweaters and nightwear. The general modesty of the lifestyle in Greifswald had its downsides, but as Krasselt emphasizes, no one went hungry there.

The traditions that were shaped by celebrating Christmas in the GDR still move many people. The SED leadership tried to remove Christian symbols from Christmas, but the custom remained and could not be suppressed. The desire for peace, embodied in the popular song “Are the Lights Turned On,” remains a central part of this season and is cherished by many in the Christmas season experienced today. Berlin courier chronicles the nostalgic meaning of these holidays that live on in people's hearts in so many different ways.