The pre-Christmas period corresponds to the four weeks before Christmas eve and begins on the first Sunday of Advent, the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The apartment is decorated for Christmas with fir branches, Christmas decorations and candles. On the table is the Advent wreath, a wreath of fir twigs with four candles.
Every Sunday in Advent, a candle is lit. The children get an advent calendar at which 24 doors or little bags are. Every day until Christmas, the children are allowed to open a door or bag. During Advent, the children also write their wish list for Christmas.
On the Advent Sundays you often get together to have some hot drinks (e.g. punch, tea, hot chocolate), and cookies, gingerbread and stollen (Christmas bread) to eat and to read Christmas stories to children. This custom exists since about the beginning of the 20th century.
Nikolaus: The holiday season offers children even more "excitment": On the evening of December 5th, the children put their freshly polished boots at the door or in front of the fireplace and wait for the St. Nicholas who fills the boot with sweets and fruits at night. Sometimes, even a little toy.
In some areas, St. Nicholas is still accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht, who punishes naughty children with his tree branch.
Weihnachstmärkte: The traditional Christmas markets open their doors with the Advent season. At the numerous light decorated stands, Christmas tree ornaments, candles, mulled wine (Glühwein) and all sorts of other Christmas specialties are offered for sale. Christmas or Christmas Kindle markets have been around since the 14th century. In order to sell their goods before Christmas came once craftsmen and confectioners came up with the idea to build in the marketplace stalls with their goods. This custom spread quickly and to attract more visitors at the market, toasted almonds, chestnuts and walnuts were offered (read more here: Der Weihnachtsmark - The Christmas Market)
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