Editing Christmas Eve (section)

=== Germany ===
{{main|Christmas in Germany}}
[[File:Thronendes Jesuskind BNM.jpg|thumb|right|[[Christkind]]]]
During the Christmas period, the [[Christmas market|Weihnachtsmarkt]] (Christmas market) becomes a feature of almost every city, town, or village in the German-speaking countries, where visitors enjoy stalls, entertainment, and savour food and ''[[Mulled wine|Glühwein]]'' (mulled wine). Traditional Christmastime treats include [[Lebkuchen]] (gingerbread), [[Stollen]] (fruit cake), [[Speculaas]] and [[marzipan]] (almond confectionery often made into sweets). Perhaps the most famed of these markets is the [[Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg|Christkindlesmarkt]] held in [[Nuremberg]], which attracts millions of visitors every year.

The Weihnachtsbaum ([[Christmas tree]]) is usually put up in the afternoon of 24 December. The trees can be bought at special traders' sites, but some families may still go into the forest and cut one themselves. The [[Christkind]] brings the presents on the evening of Christmas eve. 

Traditionally, on ''Heiligabend'' (Christmas Eve) in Germany, a simple meal will be prepared and served before or after the ''Bescherung'' ("time for exchanging gifts"), in contrast to the big meal on Christmas Day. Various polls repeatedly declare ([[Eintopf]]) or sausages ([[Sausage#Germany|Würstchen]]) with potato salad to be Germany's favourite meal on ''Heiligabend''. Further typical meals may include [[carp]], [[fondue]] or [[raclette]]. On Christmas Day, the most common dishes are [[roast goose]] or duck.