German Christmas Market 2012

A yearly highlight at the German School Washington DC is the German Christmas Market, which is held on the first Saturday in December by the Friends of the German School since 1969. Not only is the school transformed into a Christmas Market for an afternoon, but this event is the major fundraiser for the Friends. All profit from the Christmas Market is invested in projects throughout the school year, benefitting the students and the school. These profits make it possible for the Friends to finance three readings by German authors every year and in the past school years a part of the artificial turf for the Elementary school, climbing equipment for the pre-school and stage equipment for such beloved presentations as Linie 1 and the Jungle Book.

This year we were honored to welcome Ambassador Dr. Ammon of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to open our Christmas Market. After the opening ceremony he and his wife enjoyed a stroll through the Christmas Market, accompanied by the president of the Friends, Ms. Schulz, the principal, Mr. Gries, and the President of the German School Society, Mr. Molitor. They strolled through different booths by the arts and crafts group of the Friends as well as 24 vendor booths of international background. The arts and crafts group, consisting of more than twenty mothers and fathers of students, make many different handcrafted things. With the help of other volunteers they also made and decorated more than 230 Advent wreaths and candle arrangements over five days.

Ms Susanne Köhler, the school’s chef, prepared and sold 18 loaves of Leberkäs, 350 wieners, 920 bratwurst and about 60 lbs of sauerkraut together with her helpers. The Spouse and Family Organization of the German Embassy baked and sold 35 kilos of Christmas cookies and 14 gingerbread houses and donated the revenue to the Friends. All this plus the freshly prepared Glühwein and a delicious cake buffet donated by the parents of our students, attracted a lot of guests to the German School in Potomac on this beautiful Saturday afternoon. Approximately 140 volunteers worked throughout the day at this Christmas Market and donated their time to make this a very special event. Some even worked from 8 am until 7 pm! Students and teachers of different grades offered great activities for kids. All these people have one thing in common: the love for this event that brings a piece of our German, Swiss or Austrian home closer with its special atmosphere.

Christine Weber-Münch