Trees, Cars, and Street Performers

Well, I haven't caught an ABC Family Christmas Special this year yet, and I don't really feel like I need to. There's one happening here in real time! Saturday we went Christmas tree hunting and found a cute little three meter beauty for the living room. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 

Unlike in Salem, where we can literally see the tree farm from our kitchen window, we had to drive about six and a half minutes to get from our house to the farm. But as we drove, snow was softly falling and Let It Snow came on the radio and it was straight out of A Charlie Brown Christmas or something. Then after we picked out the tree, there was a blazing fire and drinks already piping hot. 

What a cozy tree farm!

Then yesterday, my host brother and I played some Christmas carols at what is now officially deemed "The Second Best Weihnachtsmarkt in Europe 2014." The weather cleared up and there were tons of people in downtown Aachen. Lots of guided tours passed by us and I definitely felt their appreciation for the music. Some guys from the Netherlands even requested O Tannenbaum then proceeded to dance and sing along. Very silly. 

Dreams do come true, kids.

Our repertoire consisted of the following:

O Tannenbaum
Kling, Glöckchen, klingelingeling
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Stille Nacht
Gloria in Excelsis Deo
Tochter Zion
Leise rieselt der Schnee
Schneeflöckchen, Weißröckchen
Alle Jahr wieder
Fröhliche Weihnachten überall

Definitely a very merry German Christmas collection. Another special holiday season tradition in my host family's house is the race cars come out to play! The toy cars zip around the track and there's even a police car with little flashing lights.

Before and after.

A beautiful tree, jolly carols, and classic toys-- clearly we're all ready for Christmas. Only one more week of school until Christmas Break when I can fully immerse myself in the German holiday spirit.