German word of the day: Weihnachtszauber

Christmas markets, glistening fairy lights, steaming cups of Glühwein... there are many joys to the festive period in Germany.

After a cold and dreary November, the start of Advent often brings with it a fresh sense of cheerfulness and positivity. Christmas decorations brighten up the home and our calendars are suddenly packed with parties, dinners and other social events.

If this sudden turnaround feels a little bit like magic, the wonderful word Weihnachtszauber captures the mood perfectly. 

What does it mean?

As you might have guessed, der Weihnachtszauber (pronounced like this) can be translated as Christmas magic, or the magic of Christmas. 

It describes the particular brand of seasonal joy and good cheer you feel as the year draws to a close and the rainy streets are suddenly lit up with bright and colourful ornaments and Christmas lights, making the shorter days feel that bit less depressing.

READ ALSO: How Germany invented Christmas as we know it

Children are often overcome with Weihnachtszauber when they get a chance to visit Santa Claus' grotto and make a wish, or while writing letters to his elf workshop in the North Pole. You, too, may get this feeling while tasting seasonal treats such as Stollen or Lebkuchen or seeing the first snowflakes of the year. 

One place you're most likely to encounter Weihnachtzauber is at the myriad of Christmas markets across Germany.

Here, you can see some of the most enchanting Christmas decorations in your city, peruse stalls with handmade gifts and crafts, and soak up the smells of roasted nuts and spicy mulled wine. If that's not magical, we don't know what is. 

READ ALSO: 10 food and drink treats you have to try at a German Christmas market

Use it like this: 

Dieses Jahr spüre ich wirklich den Weihnachtszauber.

I'm really feeling the magic of Christmas this year.

Am Weihnachtsmarkt gibt es einen echten Sinn vom Weihnachtszauber. 

There's a real sense of Christmas magic at the Christmas market.