When do German children open their Christmas presents?

Answer 1

Germans have the Advent season which are thetime frame of the 4 Sundays before Christmas (but could be the 24th of December if a Sunday). Most people will have an Adventskranz (Advent wreath) which has 4 candles (one additional lit every Sunday closer to Christmas).

From 1st December the countdown to Christmas is "celebrated" in form of Adventskalender (Advent calendar - mostly filled with chocolates since for Children), where every day one little "window" is opened. During the Advent season also the Christmas markets are open.

Christmas Eve is the highlight followed by the first Christmas day normally spent in family. The second Christmas Day is less formal.

Answer 2

The answer to this question differs from region to region within Germany. Germans usually get gifts on their birthdays, at church confirmation, etc. Children also get special cone-shaped baskets full of gifts and goodies on their first day of school.

In December, Germans give gifts for Christmas; many Germans, especially Protestants, open gifts on Christmas Eve, though many more open gifts on Christmas Day. Some Germans also give gifts to children on St. Nicholas Day (December 6), often by putting shoes or boots onto the front porch to find them filled with gifts and goodies the next morning. However, not everyone celebrates December 6--all these practices vary widely from place to place.

Answer 3

In Germany the celebration of Christmas starts on the evening of Christmas Eve, and that is when children normally open their presents.