()

It's time to start your last-minute shopping on the local economy. Stores and public offices will be closed Dec. 24- to 26. In Germany, the Christmas holiday is celebrated over a span of three days. Festivities begin on Christmas Eve, or Heiligabend, and continue Dec. 25 — the first official day of Christmas. But it doesn’t end there; Dec. 26 is also considered a public holiday. While families in the U.S. are busy cleaning up wrapping paper, noshing on leftovers and starting the daunting task of boxing holiday décor, Germany celebrates a second day of Christmas. You can learn more in our article, Embracing Host-Nation Holiday Traditions. Be sure to complete your grocery shopping and errands by close of business Dec. 23 so you can settle in for three days of holiday cheer. . . before New Year’s Eve (Silvester) preparations begin.