The preparation for the celebration starts quite early from the 1^st of December. On 6^th December, children leave letters for a winged fairy “Christkind” who wears white robe and golden crown and give gifts to the children. December 6^th is also known as “Nikolaustag” or St. Claus day and the children keep a shoe or boot outside their doors on the previous evening for St Nicholas to receive gifts. The good children get presents while the bad receive twigs.

December 21^st is considered as St. Thomas day this is prevalent mostly in Sauerland. Whoever wakes up late or comes late at work, the person is named as “Thomas Donkey”. They are joked and are given with a cardboard donkey; however the day ends with round delicious iced currant buns called "Thomasplitzchen".

As legend says the Christmas tree has its origin in Germany. Unlike other countries, here the children are not allowed to decorate the fir because it is believed that the conifers possess some cryptic magic for the young ones. The parents decorate the tree and ring a bell signaling the children to witness the grand Christmas tree and the room décor.

The Christmas Eve meal is known as "Dickbauch" meaning "fat stomach". It is believed that people those who don’t eat well during the Christmas Eve get haunted by the demons at night. The Christmas meal comprises of suckling pig, roasted goose, sausages, "Dresden Stollen" which is moist, heavy bread filled with fruit, "Christstollen" meaning long bread loaves stuffed with nuts, raisins, citron and dried fruit and much more.