In Saxony, traditional handicrafts are kept alive, including wooden Christmas decorations skilfully made by artisans in the region’s Ore Mountains. From wooden pyramids to charming hand-painted angel figurines or Moravian Stars from the Upper Lusatia region, Christmas decoration the Saxon way adds a special touch of festive spirit to everyone’s home. Explore this and more unique traditions here!
Traditional christmas handicraft
Discover a very special Christmas star decoration
In Herrnhut, a small town in Saxony’s Upper Lusatia region, an intricately folded Christmas star version has been produced by a local manufacturer for more than 160 years. The Herrnhuter Stern, known as “Moravian Star“ in English, comes in 3D and has a 25-point form. Handmade with paper and cardboard, it has become so popular over the years that it now shines brightly all around the world during the festive season.
Tip: Visit Herrnhut’s show workshop to see how it’s done. And you can even try making your own Moravian Star!
Incense cones from the Ore Mountains
They might be small, but their effect is mighty: The colourful incense cones from Crottendorf in the Ore Mountains manage to fill up a whole room with the spirit of Christmas in no time. The tradition of making incense cones from frankincense tree resin, charcoal, potato flour, sandalwood and copper beech flour in Crottendorf goes back almost 100 years. The products are refined with Christmas scents such as fir, honey or cinnamon, all based on traditional craftmanship.
Tip: Marvel at the world’s largest incense cone displayed in Crottendorf!
Wooden art from the Ore Mountains
When the traditional mining industry in the Ore Mountains declined, many miners turned to the artistic processing of wood. Carving and woodturning have a long tradition here, resulting in the typical Ore Mountains folk art figures and objects such as angels, miners, candle arches or smoking men. The "Boys from the Wood" outfit continues this tradition with a modern spin, lovingly handcrafting rock and football stars or surfers and skiers as incense burners. Not to be missed is the so-called “toy village” of Seiffen where old handicraft techniques are very much alive to create beautiful artistic wooden Christmas pyramids, nutcrackers and angel musicians.
Tip: See the record-breaking nutcracker in Europe's first nutcracker museum in Neuhausen!