What+cultural+contributions+did+the+Germans+make+to+America?

What cultural contributions did the Germans make to America? -Several of the most familiar elements of the American Christmas celebration, from the Christmas tree to the gift-giving Santa Claus, were gifts from the Germans, as was the Easter bunny.

-After the arrival of German immigrants, new large-scale recreational facilities began to appear in U.S. towns--picnic grounds, bandstands, sports clubs, concert halls, bowling alleys, and playgrounds, all suitable for a weekend excursion with the family.

-German was widely taught in American public schools and was studied by German and non-German students alike.

-German immigrants also brought their reforming zeal to America's recreational life--it   can even be argued that Germans invented the American weekend.

-Before the arrival of the Germans, many communities in the American colonies observed a Puritan sabbath, with an emphasis on rest and family time spent at home. Germans, however, had a long tradition of organized Sunday recreation and were enthusiastic devotees of the Sunday outing.