Weihnachtshaus

In the picturesque town of Husum, in northern Germany, lies a unique place — the Christmas House (Weihnachtshaus Husum). This private museum is dedicated to the history and culture of the most magical winter holiday. It occupies a historic late 19th-century building, recognized as a protected architectural monument.

Christmas House. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

The museum's exhibition spans three floors and features several thousand exhibits collected by Alix Paulsen. Here, you can see how German families celebrated Christmas over the centuries. The Christmas House offers guests a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the holiday atmosphere regardless of the time of year.

In addition to its rich collection of advent calendars, ornaments, and antique nativity scenes, the museum features a historic 1890 shop. Here, you can not only admire rare items but also purchase authentic souvenirs from Thuringia and the Ore Mountains, crafted in the finest traditions of German master artisans.

To make your visit as comfortable as possible, we recommend checking the current contact information in advance. You can clarify details by phone or visit the museum's official website for the latest news on special exhibitions. The Christmas House is always happy to welcome guests and share a piece of the festive spirit.

At the Christmas House, visitors can expect an exciting journey through themed rooms. Across the museum's three floors, you can see the evolution of holiday decor: from the first advent calendars to exquisite handcrafted glass ornaments. Be sure to look for the four historically decorated trees, which showcase the changing styles from the Biedermeier era to the mid-20th century.

Special attention should be given to the "angel room" and the hall featuring pyramids from the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains). Mechanical nativity scenes and rare angel figurines are on display here, some dating back to the 15th century. In the "kitchen" section, you can see antique baking molds and learn the secrets of traditional Christmas cookies. For collectors and beauty lovers, a true treasure is the historic shop, which sells unique Thuringian ornaments and festive literature.

The Christmas House is located at Westerende 46, on one of the picturesque and idyllic streets of the old town. If you are arriving by public transport, the walk from Husum railway station takes only about 10–15 minutes (a distance of just over 600 meters). This makes the museum very accessible for tourists traveling light.

The town of Husum has excellent connections to major centers: regular trains run here from Hamburg and Lübeck. For those who prefer to drive, the A23 motorway is the most convenient route. There is parking in the old town center, from where you can begin an exciting walk, combining a museum visit with a look at the old port or the Theodor Storm Museum.

The official opening of the Christmas House took place on October 24, 2008. The museum is the realization of years of work by Alix Paulsen, whose collection is now considered one of the most significant private folklore collections on the Christmas theme. The museum building itself is a protected cultural monument from the Gründerzeit era, which provides a special historical context for the exhibition.

The exhibits allow you to trace how celebration traditions changed over the centuries. For instance, you can learn the history of advent calendars: from simple chalk lines on doors to complex printed editions. The museum also highlights the development of glass ornament production in Thuringia, which began in the mid-19th century and conquered the world.

Of particular value are the testimonies of how people tried to preserve the festive spirit even during the most difficult times. The halls feature trees decorated in the styles of different eras, including challenging historical periods. This makes the collection not just a gathering of beautiful things, but a true anthropological study of German life and culture.

To fully explore the exhibition across three floors, most visitors need 1 to 2 hours. During this time, you can carefully examine thousands of small details in the collection and soak up the spirit of each themed room.

If you plan to study the rare books in the historic shop in detail or take many photos of the unique ornaments, we recommend allowing about 2.5 hours for your visit. Visiting on weekday mornings will allow you to enjoy the quiet and avoid potential crowds during peak hours.

The museum is open to visitors daily, making it a great place to visit any day of the week. The Christmas House operates on a consistent schedule from Monday to Sunday, welcoming guests from 11:00 to 17:00.

This schedule allows you to conveniently combine a visit to the museum with a walk through the old town or lunch at one of the local restaurants. The museum's doors are open year-round, offering a festive mood even in the height of summer.

Exploring the surroundings of the Christmas House will allow you to dive deeper into the atmosphere of this cozy northern town. The neighboring streets hide many architectural gems and historical monuments that harmoniously complement the museum experience. A walk through Husum's center will make your journey through Germany truly rich and memorable.