Jim's department had a special Christmas party for kids last week. There were tons of stations at which the children could play different games, make crafts, and decorate cookies/cupcakes. The kids had a ball! It was really nice. At the end, Santa arrived! He called each child's name and gave him/her a present (a book we had wrapped plus a DVD donated by the USO).
Santa asked him what he would like for Christmas and Drew replied, "Well, I don't have a Christmas tree yet." Poor kid! He has been really interested in decorating for Christmas this year. We made sure we pulled out the Christmas decorations the next day and got our tree that weekend.
We learned from talking to our neighbors and our Kindergarten friends that German families don't put their Christmas tree up until the 23rd of December. Those with small children usually put it up and decorate it after the kids have gone to bed on the 23rd so that when the kids wake up on December 24th, Heiliger Abend, the Christmas tree is there! They keep their tree up during the 12 days of Christmas, from December 24 - January 6. This is quite different from Americans, who usually have their tree up shortly after Thanksgiving and take it down close to New Year's Day. Although it's nice to enjoy the tree for longer, I like the German tradition, too. It must make the 12 days of Christmas seem very special and festive.
Sweet story, Kelly! You picked out a really nice tree, can't wait to see it!
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