Germany: Chocolate Maker Big on Father Christmas

A small German confectioner is going big this Christmas, selling giant chocolate Santas during the advent period. Felicitas Confectioner in the eastern German town of Hornow made three-foot-high Santas from a secret recipe using quality Belgian chocolate.

Since the beginning of the 1990s, Belgian confectioners Goedele Matthyssen and Peter Bienstman made all sorts of figures from their recipe: from giant Easter bunnies to themed designs for the 2006 World Soccer Championships.

Factory workers take care when creating intricate details on the 22 pound chocolate Santas, with beards made from white chocolate and boots made from dark chocolate.

The giant Santas have created quite a commotion.

[Goedele Matthyssen, Confectioner]:
„It is really a wonder. You would think in bad times no one would buy such a big Santa but rather smaller figures. But no I think that during the advent that you are actually prepared to spend a bit more money and afford yourself a small luxury. It’s enough for the whole family, a 10 kilo (22 pounds), one meter (three feet) high Santa . We have never sold so many big Santas than in this year.“

And of course this luxury comes with a sizeable price tag. An oversized Santa will cost you 180 Euros to take home this Christmas.

(NTDTV)