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Brenda Arnold
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It's true. Even after years of living in Munich, Germany, I find funny stuff to talk about. Language gaffes, cultural confrontations, and life abroad. It's an ongoing adventure!

  1. 'Twas the Night Before Weihnachten

    4D AGO

    'Twas the Night Before Weihnachten

    The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore kicked off so many holiday trends, like the idea of a white Christmas (with a little help from Charles Dickens) and the idea (I mean revelation of course, for all of the six-year-olds reading this) that Santa brings toys at night in a sleigh. I couldn’t resist rewriting it was a not-so-subtle Bavarian twist. I hope you enjoy it!   Support the show www.expatchatter.net Brenda Arnold

    5 min
  2. Germany, Land of Christmas Markets

    DEC 13

    Germany, Land of Christmas Markets

    Nuremberg is world-famous for its Christmas market but every German town worth its gingerbread has one, too. It isn’t just tourists who flock there but locals, too, all hoping for a white Christmas to create the perfect mood. But this rarely happens. One contributor to the mystique of holiday snow is Charles Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers and the iconic classic, A Christmas Carol. Both featured harsh winters like those experienced by the author in his childhood in mid-19th century England. Snow or not, after a few sips of holiday cheer it doesn’t make a difference. I visited a Christmas market in Regensburg, which has the perfect medieval setting to make you particularly nostalgic. Support the show www.expatchatter.net Brenda Arnold

    10 min

  3. DEC 6

    The Several Santa Syndrome

    Christmas is confusing enough with Santa, St. Nick, and Father Christmas. In Bavaria they also add the Christkind, the Christchild to the mix. Oh yes, and let’s not forget the three kings who arrive on Epiphany. It took me quite a while after arriving in Germany to figure out exactly which of these Christmas representatives would be bringing the presents. Of course, in the end it was me all along. Support the show www.expatchatter.net Brenda Arnold

    11 min
  4. The 37 Days of Christmas

    DEC 1

    The 37 Days of Christmas

    Germans could never afford to celebrate a big holiday like Thanksgiving at the end of November the way Americans do. But there’s a good reason for this: They’re already getting all revved up for Christmas! Germans invented the car, truly a great achievement, but making Christmas last half the winter is at least on par with that. Support the show www.expatchatter.net Brenda Arnold

    9 min
  5. Thanksgiving - Not as traditional as you think

    NOV 26

    Thanksgiving - Not as traditional as you think

    After moving to Germany, I was excited to recreate Thanksgiving the way I knew it from my childhood. But then I learned that the traditions I wanted to recreate were not as traditional as I thought. Support the show www.expatchatter.net Brenda Arnold

    10 min
  6. What happened to my pumpkin pie?

    NOV 16

    What happened to my pumpkin pie?

    It's not a holiday without pumpkin pie, but what I bake is a far cry from my mother's version. I was shocked to discover that Germany  didn’t have ready-made, canned pumpkin mix. This was followed by the equally shocking prospect of having to make pumpkin pie from scratch. Is that even possible? I was about to find out. Support the show www.expatchatter.net Brenda Arnold

    8 min
  7. Celebrating St. Martin - from the comfort of the couch

    NOV 9

    Celebrating St. Martin - from the comfort of the couch

    Americans celebrate fall with Halloween, but Germans have St. Martin. Children carry lit lanterns in processions through the dark, singing. It sounds so lovely, until you’re the one out there battling the cold wind to keep the lantern lit. After freezing to death a few times in icy November winds, I decided that this is a festival best enjoyed indoors. Support the show www.expatchatter.net Brenda Arnold

    9 min
  8. Warm and cozy? Time to open that window

    NOV 2

    Warm and cozy? Time to open that window

    If you’re just settling in on the couch, then don’t let any Germans into the room. They’ll open up all the windows to let in fresh air – regardless of the outside temperature. Support the show www.expatchatter.net Brenda Arnold

    7 min
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About

It's true. Even after years of living in Munich, Germany, I find funny stuff to talk about. Language gaffes, cultural confrontations, and life abroad. It's an ongoing adventure!

Information

  • Creator
    Brenda Arnold
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    174
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Expat Chatter
  • Show Website
    Expat Chatter