Saturday 2 December 2017

Online Advent Calendar 2017 - December 2nd

I have the honour to be the second poster in Jo's Online Advent Calendar :)

The stitching I want to show you today still needs to be finished into an ornament - it's Snow Birds from Country Cottage Needleworks and my entry for this years Stitching Pirates Ornament Exchange.


How do you plan to spend Boxing Day?  Do you have any traditions associated with this day?

Here in Germany, 'Boxing Day' is called 'second Christmas Holiday' - our actual Christmas celebrations are on the evening of the 24th, and then we have to holidays on the 25th and 26th to finish that of. So many people will spend Christmas Eve with their 'core family' and use those holidays to visit extended family. We are with my grandparents on the 24th and then drive to Felix' family on the 25th. On the 26th, we are mostly lazing around and digesting the good food - but for the past few years, Felix' best friend has been starting a tradition of having a Christmas party with friends, food, Feuerzangenbowle (mulled wine with a rum-soaked suger loaf lit above), and christmassy movies.

That boxing day tradition of giving gifts/money to postmen and refuse collectors that Jo mentioned happens before Christmas usually. It's a dying tradition here as well, mostly older people still do it.

22 comments:

Pamela said...

Very pretty Snow Bird stitching.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Thanks for taking part in the Advent Calendar this year. I love this design on the blue fabric. When it was released I was sure they were seagulls as we have so many here!

FlashinScissors said...

Your snow birds are very pretty Leonore!
Nice to learn about the Christmas traditions in Germany. I used to go to school with a friend who had a German mother and a Polish father but unfortunately I never learnt about their family Christmas traditions!
Wishing you a Happy Christmas!
Hugs,
Barbara xx

Sheryl said...

Pretty snow birds design done on gorgeous fabric. Your Christmas traditions in Germany are very similar to those of here in Spain, re celebrating with close family members on the 24th and extended family members over the next days.

Gwen said...

Lovely stitching.

rosey175 said...

Your snow birds are great! It's nice to hear about Christmas traditions around the world. The friend party sound like a lot of fun. :D

Brigitte said...

Ein schönes Design, das du für den Adventskalender ausgesucht hast.
Ja, auch bei uns ist Weihnachten früher so abgelaufen. Und auch heute findet es noch so ähnlich statt - diese Traditionen haben schon starke Wurzeln.

Mii Stitch said...

A sweet stitching finish!!! They look splendid on your beautiful blue fabric :)

gracie said...

It is so nice to read how everyone celebrates the holiday.

Katie said...

Oh your piece is very beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I love reading about the different traditions. Very interesting. Hope you have a great holiday.

beadgirl said...

Nice stitching. Merry Christmas!

DJ said...

What a cute ornament! I like Country Cottage Needlework patterns. I spent a few Christmas days in Germany, I love the Christmas Markets and all the excitement leading up to Christmas day. Thank you for sharing your traditions...

The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...

A pretty advent design.My son’s fiance celebrates the 24th and my son the 25th,they will enjoy both days together:)

Susan said...

Very cute ornament. The only thing I remember about Christmas in Germany (I spent three years in the Munich area in the very early 1960s) was the shops lit up and the candy stores (although they were much more festive at Easter) and bakeries, so it's nice to read about the grown up part of it. Given my German heritage (great-grandparents on both sides) you would think we would have learned more.

Anna van Schurman said...

I like this ornament. I think it's always nice to de-stress after a lot of family-time with a party with friends. In America, a lot of people do that around Thanksgiving--"Friendsgiving." :)

Anonymous said...

Hello!

I'm visiting from Jo's blog. Your ornament is lovely - the blue fabric really makes it stand out.
It's lovely to hear everyone's traditions too.

jocondine said...

Lovely stitching. As we are planning a trip to Alsace for Christmas I hope I'll have the pleasure to spend times in Germany (near Breisach, love the way all is so well decorated). Joyeux Noël ! xxx

Justine said...

I have stitched this ornament! I l9ve yours on the blue it looks really effective.

Astrids dragon said...

The birds look wonderful on the blue fabric, it will be a beautiful ornament.
That sounds like a fun way to celebrate with friends, enjoy!
Happy Christmas!

Elfie said...

Your Snow Bird is lovely. Such a pretty design.

Bethan said...

Very pretty stitching x

Carin said...

Love the ornament