OK, it can start.

Even if Advent is traditionally still a period of quiet & reflection, I and Bavarian radio consider the Friday before the 1st Advent weekend to be the point where one can accept the modern OTT 'Xmas' season. At 5:50 Bavarian radio played first Xmas song, Maria Carey & I think right up to 23.12 or possibly midday on 24.12, only play two such songs an hour. I put up my only Christmas decoration this evening. Given to me by my daughter. 

There is one day of fun & joy, 6th December, the real St Nicholas present day based on 300AD Bishop of Myra (Turkey) & below, explained why stockings. Martin Luther in 16th C did away with this day, moving it to Christmas Eve.

What is considered historically confirmed: Nicholas distributed his wealth among the poor. His generosity in particular is reflected in the legends about Nicholas. For example, in the story of the dowry donation: A poor man who, due to financial difficulties, could not provide his three daughters with a sufficient dowry to marry them off appropriately decided to sell them as slaves or prostitutes instead.


Nicholas, who heard of the plight, threw gold into the chimney of the house where the family lived for several days in a row. The gold fell into the boots and socks that were hanging there to dry. This is how Nicholas was able to save the three girls from their fate. This is where the custom of putting sweets in boots or stockings comes from.