die Bescherung
gift-giving
The giving out and unwrapping of presents, especially at Christmas.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder konnten die Bescherung am Heiligabend kaum erwarten.
The children could hardly wait for the gift-giving on Christmas Eve.
die Bescherung
gift-giving / mess
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Meanings
die Bescherung
mess
Colloquial and usually ironic for an unpleasant surprise or an unwanted, problematic result.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe den Schlüssel im Auto vergessen und die Tür ist zu – na, da haben wir die Bescherung!
I forgot the key in the car and the door is shut—well, now we've got a fine mess!
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Bescherung' (gift-giving) comes from the verb 'bescheren' (to bestow/give as a gift), which means to give something as a present. The noun describes the act of giving gifts, but it has also developed a second, ironic meaning for unwanted outcomes.
EXAMPLE
Was hat dir das Christkind denn dieses Jahr beschert?
What did the Christ Child bring you this year?
Fixed expression
The ironic meaning is almost always used in the fixed expression 'Da haben wir die Bescherung!' (now we've got a fine mess!). You say this when a problem or negative result becomes obvious.
EXAMPLE
Der Rotwein ist auf dem weißen Teppich gelandet. Na prima, da haben wir die Bescherung!
The red wine ended up on the white carpet. Great, now we've got a fine mess!
Register and style
When 'Bescherung' (mess) means an unpleasant surprise, its use is always colloquial and ironic. Sometimes the irony is intensified by adjectives like 'schön' (nice/fine) or 'toll' (great).
EXAMPLE
Jetzt ist auch noch der Strom ausgefallen – eine schöne Bescherung!
Now the power has gone out too—a fine mess!
Cultural context
In German-speaking countries, 'die Bescherung' (the gift-giving) is the fixed term for the moment when presents are given out on Christmas Eve. It is a central part of the Christmas celebration for many families.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Abendessen beginnt endlich die Bescherung.
After dinner, the gift-giving finally begins.
Compare with
Bescherung vs Überraschung
surprise
“Die Überraschung” initially refers to an unexpected event, regardless of whether it is pleasant or unpleasant. “Die Bescherung” is colloquial and usually ironic, referring to a problematic result or its unpleasant consequences. So “Bescherung” is often more appropriate when things have turned out badly.
Bescherung
Nach dem Ausfall der Heizung sahen wir die ganze Bescherung.
After the heating broke down, we saw the whole mess.
Überraschung
Die hohe Rechnung war für uns eine unangenehme Überraschung.
The high bill was an unpleasant surprise for us.
In real life
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