Hobbies And Interests
Schokoladenessen ("Chocolate Eating")
Children usually play this game--informally called "Schokoladenessen," which simply means "chocolate eating"--during the winter holiday season or at birthday parties. Little ones with a sweet tooth will love it because it centers around the eating of "schokolade," which is German for chocolate. To begin, children sit in a circle and place a chocolate bar wrapped in newspaper, or any candy of choice, among a pile of winter clothes such as mittens, a scarf and hat. Children take turns rolling dice until a participant rolls doubles, and then he or she runs to the center to dress up in the accessories, unwrap the candy, and begin eating the prize with a fork and knife. Players keep eating until another child rolls doubles, and until the candy is gone.
Chocolate Kiss
During the Easter holidays, German children like to play a delicious, messy game called Chocolate Kiss. To play, children take turns trying to eat as many chocolate-covered marshmallows as they can in a predetermined length of time while the other players attempt to smear chocolate on the face of the child eating marshmallows. The child who has eaten the most marshmallows while maintaining the cleanest face is the winner.
Christmas Pickle
Children in some regions of Germany play an unusual game with a unique Christmas tree ornament that has influenced other traditions involving glass ornaments. A glass ornament that resembles a pickle is the last to be placed on the tree, and is hidden by parents while decorating the Tannenbaum. On Christmas morning, children scour the tree for the Christmas pickle, and the first to discover its whereabouts wins an extra present.