German International School of Houston

Das GISH - Team wünscht allen alles Gute für das Neue Jahr, beste Gesundheit, schöne Momente und ganz viel Glück in 2026!

Join us on Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 2.30pm for our traditional St. Nikolaus Market. We are excited to welcome you, your family and friends.
Your GISH - Team!

The GISH - Team wishes everyone a Thanksgiving filled with peace, love, and laughter. We are thankful for our families and grateful for the wonderful memories we make every day with our students.

The GISH - Team wishes every Mom a very happy Mother's Day and to be celebrated on this beautiful day. 🧡

The GISH - Team wishes you Happy Easter und Frohe Ostern!

Dear GISH - Families and GISH - Friends,

The known symbols of good luck in Germany are exchanged among friends and relatives during the month of January, from New Year’s Day on. The German word “Glück” means luck and happiness, as well as fortune, blessing and success.

Often rooted in ancient pagan and/or early Christian legends. many traditional German lucky charms go back centuries.

Piglet /Glücksschwein (good luck pig) - For centuries, pigs have been symbols representing wealth or prosperity. In old Nordic mythology, the wild boar was considered sacred, a pet of the gods and symbol of fertility. For ancient Greek, Roman and later cultures, owning pigs meant privilege and affluence. “Lucky piglets” come in different forms in Germany—made from marzipan, glass, porcelain or as “piggy” banks.

Four Leaf Clovers / Glücksklee (lucky clover) - Because so rare in nature, it is simply assumed that they bring good luck. A four-leaf clover is said to make secret wishes come true, but only if personally found, not bought.

Horseshoe / Hufeisen (hoof iron) - In earlier times, horses were valuable working animals and horse shoes protected them. Hanging a horseshoe above the door, with the open end pointing towards the sky so good luck is contained and doesn’t run out is a very old custom among local rural people.

Toadstools / Fliegenpilze (flies agaric) - They are actually small (poisonous!) mushrooms with white-dotted, bright red caps that sprout and proliferate in fir forests and beech woods. In old German fairy tales, toads sitting on mushrooms are pictured catching flies drawn to the toadstool, hence the name. A fortunate person is a “Glückspilz” ( lucky mushroom).

Chimney Sweeps / (Kaminkehrer) - Cleaning chimneys of ashes and grime, the sooty craftsmen in black have for centuries reduced the risk of fires in households. In olden days, fees for their services were collected at the start of each new year. Sometimes chimney sweeps would bring a dated calendar page with their greetings – and get little gifts (tips) as their due rewards. In fact, they were often the first well wishers and thus “good luck bringers.” To meet a chimney sweep is a lucky sign – and even luckier is to touch one of the silver buttons on his black uniform!

Lady Bug / Marienkäfer / Glückskäfer - The lady bug is called “Marian Beetle” and symbolizes a gift from Holy Mother Mary especially for farmers, since ladybugs consume pests. They also protect young and old, heal the sick and ailing. They have up to seven black spots on their red wings (in German-speaking countries the number 7 is considered lucky). To this day many Germans believe you’re especially in luck if a ladybug lands on you!

Lucky Cent / Glücks Cent (formerly Pfennig) - Finding a lucky penny is in itself lucky! It used to be said that either an old or a very shiny new lucky copper coin would chase away dark magic and “strengthen the power of love.” People used to nail a Pfennig to their doors to ward off witches and sorcerers. Carrying a lucky penny around also protected from lies and trickery in every-day life.

Wir wünschen allen ein frohes, glückliches und gesundes 2025!
We wish everyone a blessed and healthy 2025!

Prosit Neujahr, Happy New Year!
The GISH - Team

Dear GISH Families and GISH Friends!

If you haven't been to one of Houston's best holiday light displays yet, here is a link to them including the date they are available through. The ones in the Botanical Gardens and Houston Zoo are simply stunning.
https://www.visithoustontexas.com/events/holiday-lights-in-houston/

Enjoy!
Your GISH - Team

Holiday Lights in Houston | Best Christmas Displays & Events Don't miss out on the best Christmas light displays in Houston! See our guide to all of the holiday events and places to enjoy holiday lights this season.

Frohe Weihnachten -- Happy Hanukkah -- Happy Hollidays

We extend our warmest wishes to you and your families and wish everyone a joyous holiday season filled with love, laughter and cherished moments.
Your GISH - Team

Mark your calendar:
We invite you to join us on Sunday, December 8, 2024 for our 6th traditional St. Nikolaus Market. Crafts and games, a Marionette Puppet Performance, live music, enjoy baked goods and grilled sausages, visit our special artisan vendors to do your holiday shopping and take a photo with St. Nikolaus. Invite your friends and family. We are excited to see you on Sunday.
Your GISH - Team

The GISH - Team wishes you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!