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During the four weeks before Christmas, Germans celebrate advent with the usual advent calendar, which has been around since 1851. Every day until Christmas, a little window of the advent calendar is opened revealing a candy or other little token. In many cities in Germany, the town hall acts as a large advent calendar. Every day a lit window is revealed showing a decorative painted picture. <ref>http://www.germany-tourism.de/ENG/culture_and_events/christmas_markets_offers.htm?op=getBrauchtum</ref> Also for advent, special wreathes are hung with four candles, one for each week before Christmas.

During the four months before Christmas, Germans celebrate advent with the usual advent calendar, which has been around since 1851. Every day until Christmas, a little window of the advent calendar is opened revealing a candy or other little token. In many cities in Germany, the town hall acts as a large advent calendar. Every day a lit window is revealed showing a decorative painted picture. <ref>http://www.germany-tourism.de/ENG/culture_and_events/christmas_markets_offers.htm?op=getBrauchtum</ref> Also for advent, special wreathes are hung with four candles, one for each week before Christmas.

December 6th is Nikolaustag, St. Nicholas Day. It is a Christian holiday based on a 16h century tradition. The night of the 5th, children set out their shoes in hopes that the next morning the shoes are filled with candy, toys and gifts by St. Nikolaus if they have been good children. If they have not been good, the shoes are filled with twigs. <ref>http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-germany.htm</ref>

December 6th is Nikolaustag, St. Nicholas Day. It is a Christian holiday based on a 16h century tradition. The night of the 5th, children set out their shoes in hopes that the next morning the shoes are filled with candy, toys and gifts by St. Nikolaus if they have been good children. If they have not been good, the shoes are filled with twigs. <ref>http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-germany.htm</ref>

The Hessian soldiers brought the Christmas tree tradition to America during the [[Revolutionary War]].

The Hessian soldiers brought the Christmas tree tradition to America during the [[Revolutionary War]].

The Christmas carol "O, Christmas Tree" is also of German origin. The best known version of "O, Tellenbaum" was written in 1824 by a composer named Ernst Anschutz. The melody is an old folk tune.

The Christmas carol "O, Christmas Tree" is also of German origin. The best known version of "O, Tellenbaum" was written in 1824 by a composer named Ernst Anschutz. The melody is an old folk tune.

== See also ==

== See also ==