Shultüte Research Paper

As summer draws close to an end, it usually means back-to-school for children in the U.S. and Germany. Here in the US, children normally receive approximately 10-11 weeks of summer vacation. In Germany, they receive around 5 weeks of vacation, however, they also have considerably more holidays during the course of the year. Going back to school after a summer vacation also means that it is time to get ready for the new school year. In the United States, parents usually take their children on back-to-school shopping sprees to purchase new items such as clothes, shoes and school supplies, while in Germany first graders may be eagerly awaiting the day they receive their Schultüte ("candy cone").

So, what exactly is a Schultüte? A Schultüte is a colorful and fancy decorated cone that is presented to German students on their first day of first grade. I can remember the first day when I received my Schultüte. A traditional "school cone" is made by the students' parent and filled with lots of different goodies that include small school supplies (like pens, pencil cases, erasers, etc.), toys and sweets. These gifts bring joy to the students during one of the most important days of their childhood; the day that their first school year begins. As a child, I can still remember making my way to the new classroom, proudly carrying my Schultüten. Being given a Schultüte is usually a highlight of a first grader's first day …show more content…
In those days, parents brought the Schultüten straight to the school, where they were strung on a so-called Schultütenbaum ("school cone tree") inside classroom. Once the tree was "full" with school cones, it would indicate that students were now ready to begin first grade. On the first day of school, students were told to select the cone that had their name on it. To their astonishment, they would find the cones stuffed with edible treats such as pretzels and