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The Sunday after Thanksgiving often coincides with what Catholics know as the First Sunday in Advent. This year things are different because Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday and will double as the Fourth Sunday in Advent. Going back to its religious roots, Advent is a time of waiting for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, and for most Germans that first Sunday is the official “kick off” to the holiday season.

It is common for families to have a beautifully decorated tabletop wreath with four candles in their homes, and one additional candle being lit every Sunday until there are four burning flames. It is during that time that people put up their decorations and start baking, but, unlike many Americans, Germans usually don’t put up the tree until much closer to Christmas Eve. As a matter of fact, many people don’t put it up until December 24th. However, it is also common to leave it up much longer than many people here do. In my family, we would keep the tree up until January 6, Epiphany, but I know people that keep it well through January and into February.

I’ve had to adjust my preferences and have grown used to having our tree up usually in the first week of December, simply because I learned that trying to find a beautiful-looking, fresh Nordman fir the week before Christmas is close to impossible. And no, there is no alternative to a fresh, real tree for this old-fashioned gal! The scent of that beautiful tree in the house just screams “holidays!” and I wouldn’t want to do without it.

Another beloved Advent tradition that most Germans are familiar with is the “Advent Calendar.” Starting Dec. 1 through the 24th, children get to open a numbered “door” every day for a small surprise; sort of like a warm-up for “the big day.” There’s simple cardboard versions available at grocery stores with 24 small pieces of cheap chocolate behind 24 doors on a winter-inspired picture. And then there’s the more sophisticated versions that leave parents with 24 containers to fill themselves with items of their choosing. Our daughter has a wooden box-type of thing with 24 drawers that I put small gifts and treats in, and our son inherited my old calendar: 24 small felt stockings that you tie onto a larger felt background hanging on the wall.

So as you read this on Sunday morning, the First Sunday in Advent, we will be getting our tree, and without a doubt I’ll spend the rest of the day decorating it with the support of my two little helpers. For me this is a time for reflecting and reminding ourselves of what really matters in life. It’s a time to appreciate the life we’ve been given and to spend as much time as possible with the people we love. And let’s not forget the ridiculous amounts of German Christmas cookies my mother, who flew in a few days ago, will be baking over the next few weeks. Yum!

Kaffeeklatsch is written by Kat Hanson, a native of Germany and military spouse of ten years. She moved to Sierra Vista with her active-duty Army husband and two children in 2014. She previously lived in Monterey, California, Fort Stewart, Georgia, and her native Germany. Kat is a marketing consultant in the Advertising Department at the Herald/Review. For questions and comments, email katja.hanson@myheraldreview.com or call 520-515 4633.

Read here https://www.thespruce.com/best-christmas-trees-you-can-buy-1976378 to find the perfect type of tree for your ultimate holiday decoration and to find out about the many options available.

01 of 10
Fraser Fir
Fraser Fir
F. D. Richards/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0

The Fraser Fir may be the perfect holiday tree. It’s attractive 1” needles are silvery-green and soft to the touch. Because there is space between the branches, the Fraser is easier to decorate than some trees. The firm branches hold heavier ornaments. The trees grow to almost perfect shapes, and as long as the cut tree is kept properly watered, the Frasier Fir has excellent needle retention.
02 of 10
Noble Fir
Icy Noble Fir
tasiapix/Flickr/CC BY 2.0

The Noble Fir is deep green in color and has unusually lovely branch shape. Boughs of this tree are often made into fresh wreaths. Its branches are sturdy yet the needles are not too sharp to decorate easily. Like the Fraser Fir, the Noble Fir’s branches have good spacing between branches so it’s easy to hang ornaments on them.
03 of 10
Colorado Blue Spruce
Colorado Blue Spruce
Ed Ogle/Flickr/CC BY 2.0

A Colorado Blue Spruce has a nice pyramidal shape with strong limbs that can hold heavy ornaments. The Blue Spruce is known for its lovely blue foliage which can also appear silvery. If your decorating scheme does not include this bluish tint, this tree may not be right for your home.
04 of 10
Grand Fir
Grand Fir
S. Rae/Flickr/CC BY 2.0

The Grand Fir has a glossy dark green color with needles that are 1 to 1 1/2 inches long. This tree is soft to the touch and may not be able to hold heavier ornaments. It’s a pretty tree that grows as high as 300 feet and it’s becoming more popular for homes.
05 of 10
Balsam Fir
Balsam Detail
GeoStock / Getty Images

The Balsam Fir is a beautiful dark-green color with airy, flexible branches that may not be able to hold heavy ornaments. It has an attractive form, it holds its needles well, and gives off a pleasant fragrance for your home.
06 of 10
White Fir (or Concolor Fir)
White Fir
F. D. Richards/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0

The National Christmas Tree Association notes that “Needles are usually 1/2 to 1 1/2 inch long, pointed or notched at the tip, bluish-green when young turning dull green with age....As a Christmas tree, white fir has good foliage color, a pleasing natural shape and aroma, and good needle retention.”
07 of 10
Eastern White Pine
Eastern White Pine
S. Rae/Flickr/CC BY 2.0

Branches from the White Pine are often used in garlands, wreaths, and centerpieces due to their long, feathery, soft needles. Though it is a beautiful tree, branches can be a bit too flexible to support heavier decorations. Its lush fullness also makes it difficult to squeeze in ornaments. The White Pine needles last a long time when properly watered.
08 of 10
Douglas Fir
Douglas Fir
harum.koh/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0

A Douglas Fir is beautiful Christmas tree with soft shiny green needles. It may be difficult to decorate if the branches have been sheared into a perfect conical shape, leaving too little space between branches to hang decorations. If this variety of tree is available, you might want to take an unbreakable ornament with you when you buy a tree to see if you can put decorations on it. Choose a Douglas Fir that is freshly cut and keep it well watered.
09 of 10
Norway Spruce
Norway Spruce
F. D. Richards/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0

The Norway Spruce is a beautiful tree but does not hold its needles well, and should be purchased just a week or so before December 25th. The National Christmas Tree Association notes that the “overall color of Norway spruce is fair to excellent, but needle retention is considered poor unless the trees are cut fresh and kept properly watered.”
10 of 10
Scotch Pine
Scotch Pine
F. D. Richards/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0

You’ll want to wear gloves when decorating a Scotch Pine since its needles can be sharp as pins! Also, due to heavy shearing, there may be little space between branches for ornaments. The National Christmas Tree Association notes “the Scotch pine is known for its excellent needle retention and good keepability. It resists drying and if permitted to become dry does not drop its needles.”

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