Austria

Christmas begins in Austria four weeks before 25th December.

The markets are the protagonists. They sell brightly coloured balls

and straw stars. At home, four weeks before, a crown is placed

with four candles and they lit one every week. They ask for

presents to baby Jesus, who comes on the 24th. In old times

they used to have carp. Nowadays almost everyone has turkey

and for dessert crackers, apples and lots of sweets. On the last

night of the year they drink champagne in the Cathedral Square

to the music of Vienna Valls.