As August arrives in Central Indiana, morning routines suddenly shift. Backpacks are zipped, shoes tied, and porch photos snapped as kids head off to class for the first day of school. Back-to-school season is a universal milestone, but for families rooted in German culture, entering first grade is far more than just a new school year. It is a rite of passage known as Schulanfang, complete with a 200-year-old tradition designed to make the leap into “big kid school” a little sweeter. In some regions, the family gatherings are so joyous they rival a small wedding.
If you have ever seen a photo of a proud 6-year-old clutching a giant, colorful paper cone nearly as tall as they are on their first day, you have glimpsed the magic of the Schultüte (school cone), also known as a Zuckertüte (sugar cone).
From Kindergarten to Real School
German immigrants brought the concept of kindergarten—which translates literally to “children’s garden”—to America. The first U.S. kindergarten was founded in Watertown, Wisconsin, in 1856 by Margarethe Meyer Schurz.
In Germany, kindergarten remains a purely play-based experience. Moving into first grade marks the official leap into real school, a milestone that deserves a sweet reward.
The Legend of the Sugar Cone Tree
The custom began in the early 1800s across Saxony and Thuringia. Early on, teachers handed out small bakery treats on the first day. Over time, parents and grandparents took over the magic by providing ever-growing school cones from home for the teacher to present at school. Concurrently, the legend of the Zuckertütenbaum (sugar cone tree) was brought to life.
Elders told young children that a magical sugar cone tree grew in the schoolmaster’s garden. When the paper cones hanging from its branches grew ripe and heavy, it meant it was finally time for school to start. In many homes, families cared for their own little tree in the yard. Children watched in awe as adults secretly swapped smaller cones for larger ones overnight to prove the cones were ripening just in time for the big day.
Growing up, my grandmother kept this magic alive in her own yard in 1986, where my cousin and I watched two tiny cones on her birch tree grow larger week by week.
Originally, smaller cones were packed with candy, raisins and dried fruit to coax hesitant children through the classroom doors. Today, it is a treasured national craft and industry. More than 2 million Schultüten are made in Germany each year, many produced in the Erzgebirge region, home to Carmel’s sister city of Seiffen.
While the handmade tradition endures, what goes inside has evolved into a thoughtful mix of practical tools and magical surprises. Parents tuck in vibrant art supplies, a first wristwatch, a backpack safety reflector, favorite sweet treats, and a plush companion peeking out from the top to brave the new school day alongside them.
A Living Bridge Across Generations
For an immigrant, keeping traditions like Schulanfang alive is not just about preserving history, but about creating a living bridge across generations.
Whether it was receiving a special handmade quilt on my own Schulanfang, or crafting Zuckertüten for our kids during the uncertain first year of school in 2020, this tradition has always been an anchor of comfort and love. Unlike a quick morning drop-off, Schulanfang brings people together. Extended families gather for the ceremony and spend an unhurried afternoon sharing Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake), surrounding a child with community as they take their next big step.
This deep sense of connection was on full display at last year’s Schulanfang presentation at the Carmel Clay Public Library. A family drove nearly two hours to Carmel just to take part in the event. Afterward, with tears in their eyes, they shared that their elderly mother had dementia, but being surrounded by the familiar sights, scents and stories of the presentation brought her back to them for a few precious minutes. In that moment, she remembered her own Schulanfang as a little girl, as well as the special school cones she later prepared for her now-grown children.
It was a profound, unforgettable moment and a powerful reminder of why we preserve meaningful traditions. Moments like that make every hour spent sharing our heritage with the community completely worth it.
In today’s digital, fast-paced world, traditions change rapidly and risk disappearing altogether if we do not intentionally hold space for them. We invite you to slow down and create lasting memories once again this year. Join us at the Carmel Clay Public Library on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for this year’s Schulanfang Presentation and Workshop. Come make your very own school cone and fill it with treats, school supplies and toys carefully curated by dedicated volunteers from Carmel Seiffen Sister Cities, the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, and the Indianapolis German Language School. Let us celebrate this sweet milestone together and keep the magic of heritage alive for the next generation.
How does your family mark the first day of school? Do you have special breakfast traditions, porch-photo routines or milestone keepsakes passed down through your family? Share your favorite back-to-school traditions with us on Facebook!
Welcome to our newest columnist, Sandi Richardson!
Sandi is a nonprofit leader, project manager and president of Carmel Seiffen Sister Cities Inc., where she directs cultural exchange initiatives. A native of Saxony, Germany, now living in Indiana, Richardson brings a rich background in cultural programming, language education and storytelling to her writing—including her previous work shaping the cultural authenticity for the award-winning Carmel Christkindlmarkt. Her column explores community, heritage and the meaningful cultural threads that connect our local neighborhoods to the wider world.
Photo of Sandi Richardson by Bellomo Studios
Contact Sandi Richardson:
Heimat Link LLC
Email: heimat2link@gmail.com
Website: heimatlink.com (coming soon)
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sandrawrich