On January 3, 2025, during this wonderful time of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, a unique New Year’s event was held at the Goethe Language Center of Qingdao University. The event was filled with fun and laughter!
Interactive Q&A Session
At the start of the event, the hosts warmed up the atmosphere with a simple game: an interactive Q&A session! As one of Germany’s iconic holiday treats, cookies were the topic. But do you know how to name the ingredients for making cookies in German? While the questions seemed straightforward, the challenge lay in correctly identifying the German words and their grammatical gender. This sparked everyone’s curiosity, as participants eagerly (and perhaps discreetly) consulted dictionaries to find the answers. Those who answered correctly earned a lollipop. The lively atmosphere felt like an exciting mini knowledge competition.
Ring Toss Game
Next came a game that tested participants’ skills: ring toss! To win cookie dough and molds, players had to give it their all. Watching everyone’s enthusiastic attempts to win the dough was truly adorable. Some used every ounce of their strength, while others cheered on their friends. The space was filled with laughter and joy, creating a cheerful and vibrant scene.
Baking Cookies
Once participants secured their dough and molds, the main event began: baking cookies! Everyone transformed into little bakers, carefully shaping the dough and using the molds to create adorable and unique cookie designs. Each cookie seemed to carry heartfelt dedication. The aroma of freshly baked cookies soon filled the room, making it impossible to wait to taste them.
New Year Wishes
After baking, participants rubbed their hands together excitedly and took out their prepared greeting cards to write their best wishes for the New Year. The wall full of colorful cards reflected the participants’ hopes and heartfelt blessings for the future, adding a warm and festive touch to the event.
Spin the Wheel Game
While waiting for the cookies to bake, participants didn’t sit idle. Instead, they had the chance to practice speaking German with the Spin the Wheel game! Similar to musical chairs, the wheel was spun, and participants randomly stopped it to answer the question in German. In the relaxed and joyful atmosphere, everyone’s German became more fluent.
Conclusion
This New Year’s event not only allowed participants to experience the joy of hands-on activities but also provided a great opportunity to practice German and gain deeper insights into German cultural traditions. Celebrating the arrival of the New Year with like-minded friends made the experience even more special. These fun-filled moments are sure to become cherished memories for the year ahead.
We wish everyone a colorful and joyful New Year! The Goethe Language Center of Qingdao University will continue to organize similar events regularly, bringing more fascinating cultural traditions to everyone. Stay tuned and join us for even more exciting activities!
