The little book of Christmas traditions

Christmas customs from Advent to the carol singers are presented in this booklet in entertaining, to the point texts with atmospheric illustrations. It takes a look at the origins of well-known traditions such as the Advent wreath, the Christmas market, Christmas cookies, the Christmas tree and tree decorations, and the nativity scene, some of which are more ancient and others more recent than one might think.
In addition, it sheds light on the pagan precursors of Christmas with the winter solstice and Yule, tells the background of the Rauhnächte and describes customs that have survived from ancient times such as Perchten runs and Heischezüge. A look across the borders - at the water consecration in Greece and Christmas in Russia - rounds off the narrative, before the last chapter transitions back to everyday life.