December for foodies: cookies, stollen cake and roast goose

Iced cinnamon stars, spicy ginger biscuits and sweet powdered vanilla croissants are particularly popular.

Another sweet treat traditionally enjoyed over the festive season in Germany is Christmas stollen, baked according to different family recipes but usually using yeast dough, butter, raisins and nuts. The reputation of Dresden Christmas stollen, baked according to a special recipe since the 15th century, has spread all over the world. German Christmas biscuits are also very popular around the world.

The little gingerbread Lebkuchen, and especially the Nuremberg Lebkuchen, are enjoyed in many countries. Not forgetting Aachen's moist Printen gingerbread and Lübeck's delicious, beautifully soft marzipan.

This being said, German families tend to favour more savoury fare on Christmas Eve. Potato salad with sausages are on the menu in many households, in particular in Thuringia and Saxony. Over the next few days of celebrations, people feast on roast goose with dumplings and red cabbage or even carp. In Schleswig-Holstein, duck is the more popular choice.