How do Germans celebrate New Year's Eve?

Answer 1

New Year's Eve is traditionally one of the big party nights in Germany. Especially younger people will sometimes plan the night months in advance. The idea is usually to go to a big party, where the party-goers will go outside and watch the fireworks at midnight, before returning back to the party. These parties will typically be comparatively expensive (a 40 Euros cover charge, usually including some drinks, is not unusual) and involve a lot of alcohol consumption.

The more family friendly version of a typical German New Year's celebration is organizing a more modestly sized party at ones' home. Typical activities involve melting lead blocks (Bleigießen), the form of which is supposed to be able to tell you what the year is going to be like for you, or cooking fondue. At midnight, everyone goes outside and lights fireworks (which is legal in Germany, including bottle rockets).

Answer 2

Germans celebrate Easter in pretty much the same way that other western Christian countries do. They decorate eggs and have Easter egg hunts. Village fountains are decorated with floral arrangements and painted eggs. The Easter Bunny is known in Germany as der Osterhase.

Answer 3

German communities traditionally light Osterfeuer (Easter Fires) at Easter.

Answer 4

The same way as everyone else does.