Christmas.
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Celebrating Christmas in Germany is only slightly different than in other countries. The 24 December is the most important date, followed by the 25 and 26 December, which are all official holidays in Germany.
The evening of 24 December is traditionally reserved for the family gathering. Eating together and exchanging gifts next to the Christmas tree are the highlights of the Christmas festivities, but activities such as declaiming Christmas poems or singing Christmas songs are also widespread.
25 and 26 December are used to enjoy a good time with family and friends. Going to church or practising religious rituals is not very common due to the steady increase of secularization in German society. Regional traditions are only preserved in rural communities and mass media and commerce have a deep impact on Christmas celebrations in the cities, like in all urban areas of the Western World.
