clipped from: www.sfgate.com When I tell my friends that in the German style, we don't decorate our Christmas tree until Dec. 24, they pity me a bit. "What's the point?" one of them asked, assuming that this custom indicated a lack of holiday spirit. Nothing could be further from the truth. Christmas is by far the most popular German holiday and has been celebrated since the 16th century.
This quintessentially Christian holiday has pagan roots. Centuries ago, Germanic tribes celebrated the winter solstice by lighting fires and candles and bringing evergreens into their homes to symbolize the returning light and the coming of spring.
Adults have the job of building anticipation by putting up decorations, baking cookies, lighting candles, singing carols and, yes, shopping for gifts that remain hidden until the evening celebration. Various celebratory markers help to pass the time until the big day arrives.