С наступающим Новым Годом!

Finally we prepared all food for tonight, we packed all christmas gifts and wrote the usual cyrillic words into the snow of our balcony (I wanted to write it in a more creative way...but...ahem...none wanted to follow my idea!). Now we will be going to have fun with the sleigh in snow and then will be ready for our yearly Christmas and New Years Eve marathon, starting off at 7.00 pm CET with our relatives in Pavlodar, followed by the next celebration at 10.00 pm CET with our relatives in Russia, and ending, hopefully in good condition still.

Same procedure as last year? Same procedure as every year, Winni!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

The Four Stages of Life

1. You believe in Santa Claus.

2. You don't believe in Santa Claus.

3. You are Santa Claus.

4. You look like Santa Claus.

Christmas market Bremen

Yesterday we went to the Christmas market in Bremen. It is said to be one of the nicest christmas markets in germany and it is attracting lots of toursits. And yes, I have heard so many different languages around that I felt as if abroad. The market is situated right in the heart of the centre of Bremen on the historical market square with the old town-hall and the cathedral around. Very scenic spot.
I was surprised to see not only the usual food and drink booths there but a lot of arts and crafts being sold as well. And those crafts were mostly handmade and not some imported "made by diligent childrens hands" bulk-ware. Means for me: nice to look at those crafts but unaffordable to buy.

Christmas markets don't seem to be very common in other countries and I wonder if you have something similar in your country?? Drop me a line, I am curious.
If you wann look at some (not too well taken...) photos, check out the few I have taken last night.

Christmas tree

Yeah...this year we have been in time with buying a christmas tree!! Last year we were very late and had to take one of the left-over trees for a horrible price!
Today we took a walk and only 700 metres from our home there was a man selling christmas trees. He was one of the few sellers that were open on sunday too, and he had hundreds of nice trees available still. That was very relaxing and we took our time until we found tree one that was good for everyone of us.

Since we have been there by foot only, we had a little transportation problem then, but I found a good solvation: we took a shopping cart/trolley from a nearby supermarket, out in the christmas tree and "drove" it back home.

Even if we were happy to have a little less now to think about, I had another thought coming into my head. How many christmas trees will stand in our living rooms all over the world for christmas? And, wouldn't it be an even better feeling if we all would celebrate christmas without a christmas tree?? I am not sure about that...for many people it wouldn't be real christmas days without a tree.

What do you think about that? how is the tradition in your country?? Could you do without a christmas tree?