In Germany, the tradition of Christmas and the tradition of Santa’s gifts are celebrated separately. In many northern European countries, Saint Nicholas brings gifts on his traditional feast day, December 6 th . Stockings are filled during the night and sometimes gifts are hidden throughout the house. Today, gifts are exchanged on Christmas as well, so Saint Nicholas usually brings smaller gifts like candies and chocolates. Excited children wake up early on December 7 th to find the goodies he left but German children usually sleep in on Christmas morning. Christmas is celebrated on Christmas eve in Germany, so all the excitement comes a few hours earlier for German children. The tree is lit, and gifts are exchanged after dinner. Another great German Christmas tradition is the Christmas markets that light up the towns and villages during the dark winter days of November and December. These markets glow in golden light each evening and vendors sell toys and gifts out of beautiful wooden stalls built to look like little cottages. They sell Christmas trees, ornaments, and, most importantly, warm winter foods like bratwurst and pretzels with mustard. Many markets have ice rinks and other winter activities, and they are wonderful places for the community to enjoy the season and find the warmth of company and good cheer during the snowy German winter.
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