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Description
Majestic beasts, full of myths and magic - dragons. It's the 23rd day of my Advent calendar 2017!

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Q: What is the common German version of the Advent calendar?
"An Advent calendar is a special calendar used to count the days of Advent in anticipation of Christmas." - WikipediaThe Advent calendar was first used by German Lutherans in the 19th and 20th centuries but is now quite well-known in various other states and not just among Christians. Most calendars begin on December 1st and lead up to the 24th of December -that's right - Christmas Eve! Especially kids can't get enough of those calendars, since they'll receive a little gift everyday before the real presents magically arrive on the 24th or in the night to the 25th.
Here in Germany you'll find various forms of Advent calendars:
• large rectangular card with windows to open, each revealing a picture (bible, winter, sports, self made,...)
• little bags hanging on a line with toys or sweets inside
• a rectangular calendar with cubby holes to open revealing little items or sweets
• living calendars (in various cities, shops, malls,...)
• and there are countless more ^^

Q: Nikolaus, Weihnachtsmann, Christkind?? Trying to explain Christmas (and the whole December).
The beliefs are quite different nowadays depending on the region, the family, tradition and/or religion. Most people believe, that Nikolaus puts a little gift in one of your shoes (which the child has cleaned beautifully ) in front of the door in the night to the 6th of December. And then a huge mountain of presents (for the whole family, not just the children) arrives on the 24th of December, brought to you by the Weihnachtsmann. He comes with his huge bag of presents for the nice (the neighbor's grandpa ) and his birch for the naughty. The kids must perform a little song or rhyme as proof, that they've been nice throughout the whole year. Only then will they receive their presents.
Some believe, that the Christkind - an angel like infant - comes and leaves silently, putting presents under the Christmas tree. If the kids try to spot it, it won't come. Usually, a family member will ring a bell or knock on a door as a signal for the departure of the Christkind.
Many families just mix up the Weihnachtsmann with the Christkind (like mine^^) and have a Weihnachtsmann, who comes and leaves silently like the Christkind leaving a bag of presents in front of the door.
But are way more traditions and beliefs:
The feast on Heiligabend, the birth of Jesus on Weihnachten, visiting families on the 25th and 26th, the amazing Weihnachtsmärkte which can be found in almost every city... Just go visit one! They are beautiful, there's plenty of food and a lot of stuff to buy and much to hear!

Description
Majestic beasts, full of myths and magic - dragons. It's the 23rd day of my Advent calendar 2017!

•••

Q: What is the common German version of the Advent calendar?
"An Advent calendar is a special calendar used to count the days of Advent in anticipation of Christmas." - WikipediaThe Advent calendar was first used by German Lutherans in the 19th and 20th centuries but is now quite well-known in various other states and not just among Christians. Most calendars begin on December 1st and lead up to the 24th of December -that's right - Christmas Eve! Especially kids can't get enough of those calendars, since they'll receive a little gift everyday before the real presents magically arrive on the 24th or in the night to the 25th.
Here in Germany you'll find various forms of Advent calendars:
• large rectangular card with windows to open, each revealing a picture (bible, winter, sports, self made,...)
• little bags hanging on a line with toys or sweets inside
• a rectangular calendar with cubby holes to open revealing little items or sweets
• living calendars (in various cities, shops, malls,...)
• and there are countless more ^^

Q: Nikolaus, Weihnachtsmann, Christkind?? Trying to explain Christmas (and the whole December).
The beliefs are quite different nowadays depending on the region, the family, tradition and/or religion. Most people believe, that Nikolaus puts a little gift in one of your shoes (which the child has cleaned beautifully ) in front of the door in the night to the 6th of December. And then a huge mountain of presents (for the whole family, not just the children) arrives on the 24th of December, brought to you by the Weihnachtsmann. He comes with his huge bag of presents for the nice (the neighbor's grandpa ) and his birch for the naughty. The kids must perform a little song or rhyme as proof, that they've been nice throughout the whole year. Only then will they receive their presents.
Some believe, that the Christkind - an angel like infant - comes and leaves silently, putting presents under the Christmas tree. If the kids try to spot it, it won't come. Usually, a family member will ring a bell or knock on a door as a signal for the departure of the Christkind.
Many families just mix up the Weihnachtsmann with the Christkind (like mine^^) and have a Weihnachtsmann, who comes and leaves silently like the Christkind leaving a bag of presents in front of the door.
But are way more traditions and beliefs:
The feast on Heiligabend, the birth of Jesus on Weihnachten, visiting families on the 25th and 26th, the amazing Weihnachtsmärkte which can be found in almost every city... Just go visit one! They are beautiful, there's plenty of food and a lot of stuff to buy and much to hear!