People often forget that my dad is German/Swiss, but we have been visiting Switzerland and celebrating German traditions since I was a little girl. I actually think most of my personality comes from him. I have the typical German direct and structured nature as well as the fun side that wants to “prost” my way through the fall. Typically Oktoberfest celebrations start in September in Münich up to October, but this year I thought I would surprise him with an at-home celebration as he visited us in Brooklyn!

As we celebrate together with Snyder’s Pretzels and pints of beer, thought I would pass along my party tips and games that are our family traditions. Hopefully, they inspire a little Oktoberfest celebration of your own to liven up this quarantine!

Oktoberfest Essentials

1. German Beer

A self-proclaimed beer connoisseur, my dad recommends Spaten for an authentic brew. When I asked for his recommendation, he told me it was clean and crisp, and follows Germany’s Purity Law which decrees beer can only be brewed from malt, hops, and water. Leave it to my dad to know this fun tidbit off the top of his head!

When I was young, my dad used to tell me and my brother it was illegal in Germany to spill beer, a factoid I didn’t realize was a joke until not too long ago 😂  So if you’re looking for a way to tease your friends – I’ll pass this fun joke along to you! “Don’t spill the beer, it’s illegal in this house!”

2. Steins

A festively authentic glass to drink beer from but also can be used as décor! I love filling steins with pretzel sticks or wheat for a adorable touch.

3. Pretzels

Pretzels are a must at any Oktoberfest gathering. My personal favorite pretzel brand is Snyder’s of Hanover for their salty crunch. You can even string the bigger pretzels on a string for a cute make-shift garland for added Oktoberfest décor.

4. Brats

My favorite type of brat is Weisswurst, which is a white brat and not as heavy. With some Dijon mustard on top in a toasted bun, this delicious treat is one of my favorite parts of Oktoberfest!

5. Attire: Lederhosen (for men) and Dirndl (for women)

These traditional German garbs add to the fun of your Oktoberfest and help you feel transported to Munich! For an extra authentic touch, men can add high socks with their lederhosen and for girls, a beautiful crown braid.

6. Bavarian Flags

The official colors of Bavaria, you’ll see blue and white filling the tents at Oktoberfest. You can find blue & white flags, plates, and table cloths on Amazon or at your local Party City.

Oktoberfest Games

1. Pretzel Toss

With a partner, stand 10 feet apart and see how many pretzels you can catch in an emptied Snyder’s of Hanover Pretzel bag in 1 minute!

2. Stein Hold

Line up all contestants in a row, have them hold a stein out straight with one arm, and see who lasts the longest. For an extra hard challenge fill the steins with beer! Contestants will really earn their beer after this workout.

3. Pretzel Rod Race

Have two racers place a pretzel rod in their mouth and balance a traditional pretzel on the rod through one of its holes. With their hands behind their back, spin them around 3 times and have them race without dropping or breaking the balancing pretzels. First one across the finish line wins!

4. Keg Toss

Warning — don’t try this one at home. But, if you’re having an outdoor Oktoberfest and are in a large open area, have contestants throw kegs across the field and see who can throw it the farthest. Do not open these after they’ve been thrown, or they’ll spit beer out in all directions!

A lot of celebrations have been cancelled this year, one of which being the official Oktoberfest. But that doesn’t mean you can’t bring the party to you. I surprised my dad when he was visiting us in our new apartment in New York with some lederhosen and endless beer to being Munich to us. We had such a blast recreating memories and I hope this blog posts helps you make new memories as well.

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Happy Oktoberfest to you and your family!

Hope you enjoy passing along our family traditions & have some safe memorable fun!