Wishing someone "good luck" in German often goes one of two ways--either "Viel Glück!" or "Viel Erfolg!" Which one you use depends on what you want to say.

If you'd like to wish some one "good luck," then go with "Viel Glück!" It really is like wishing them luck--because you're unsure how the result may turn out. However, just like in English, it's also possible to say, sarcastically, "Good luck with that!" Then you also use "Viel Glück!" and if you want to add extra emphasis to the fact that you don't think it's going to go well, then...use your sarcastic face. (Be prepared for a reaction because those Germans...they are honest!)

Now let's look at situations when you are fairly certain that things will go well--or you are hopeful that things will go well:

Für Geld gibt es im Deutschen gaaanz viele Wörter. Wie viele kennen Sie schon?

Nehmen Sie sich eine Minute und schreiben Sie so viele Wörter für Geld, die Sie kennen. Mit diesen drei können Sie anfangen:

Geld, Cash, Kohle ...

Ihnen wünsche ich ein gesegnetes Fest und einen guten Rutsch* ins neue Jahr!

Hier ein paar wichtige Vokabeln bezüglich Daten:

24.12. = (der) Heiligabend

25.12. = 1. Weihnachtstag

26.12. = 2. Weihnachtstag

Denken Sie daran, dass "1. Weihnachtstag" eigentlich "erster Weihnachtstag" heisst.

Es weihnachtet!

Es weihnachtet so schön!

Wer Geschenke noch nicht gekauft hat...hat noch Zeit!

Hier 5 gute Tipps für deutsche Geschenke, die noch vor dem 1. Weihnachtstag eintreffen:

1.  Feuerzangenbowle Set - $99

Feuerzangenbowle is one of the best German inventions when it comes to adult beverages. You spice red wine (in the punch bowl) and heat it up. Across the top you place the "Feuerzange" and the sugar cone, which has been soaked with rum. Light the sugar on fire, and it caramelizes the sugar and drips down into the punch bowl. Fertig ist's--Feuerzangenbowle!

(Obviously, this is meant for responsible adults and not children, so exercise caution when lighting sugar on fire in your kitchen.)

Remember to order extra Zuckerhut when you buy the Bowle.

2.  Everyday Words Stickerbook in German - $8.95

Usborne is a US-based, educational book seller and they have a stickerbook for kids to learn everyday German words. 200 stickers in this book.

Using stickers is a good way to associate physical objects with their names. Great for parents and kids learning German at the same time!

Esskultur is important in Germany; Esskultur is the culture of food, dining, and manners. For most Germans, Esskultur begins when they are in high chairs and their parents teach them to eat when the adults are eating, to wait until the adults are finished to be excused from the table, how to use a napkin, and how to use their eating utensils.

In the US, manners vary widely and the manners you learn depends largely on what your family has taught you. We don't have one set of manners, and you can tell by the variety of food we eat; barbecue is largely eaten with the hands, pasta with a fork or perhaps a fork twirling the pasta with the help of a spoon. When alcohol enters the picture, it's a whole other ball game.

So here are some rules to live by to help you understand how Germans dine and to help you avoid some pitfalls along the way. For these rules, we'll assume that you have been invited to a friend's house or out to a business dinner.

1. Plan to Stay.

This American idea of party-hopping or "just staying for a little while" is incredibly tacky and rude. Germans do not do this. Either you accept the invitation and plan to stay for the evening, as delightful or as painful as it might be, or you politely decline.

2. Greet everyone with a handshake.

Yes, EVERYONE. Go around the room, shake hands, introduce yourself by your last name if it's a formal situation, by first name if it's informal, or somewhere in between for a mixed situation. People will fire their names at you and expect you to remember them.

Here's another great point:  in the US, if you feel uncomfortable about trying to remember several names right off the bat, we make the joke "if there will be a pop quiz later," and everyone understands that they should remind you of their names when you speak again. This is a wonderful part of American culture in which we help each other out with remembering names. This is not so in Germany; they do not understand this joke. So keep that joke for this side of the ocean and if you need to, politely ask someone their name again as soon as you realize that you didn't learn it the first time.

Learn German Online with Nicole verkauft nun Aufkleber!

Diese Aufkleber verwende ich im Unterricht mit Deutschschüler und sie lieben es, die Aufkleber auf den Hausaufgaben zu bekommen, oder wenn sie ein schwieriges Thema in Deutsch verstanden haben und nun verwenden können.

Pro Blatt gibt es 24 Aufkleber und pro Satz gibt es 5 Blätter für nur $4.

Machen Sie auch Ihren Schülern im Unterricht eine Freude mit diesen Aufkleber!

Hier geht's zum Shop.

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Learn German Online with Nicole is now selling stickers!

These are the stickers that I use in lessons with my students and they LOVE receiving them on their homework, as a reward for a job well-done, and for recognition when they finally integrate a difficult aspect of German into their language skills.

Each sheet contains 24 stickers and every set contains 5 sheets for just $4.

Reward your students and give them something to smile about with these stickers!

Click here to order!