Weihnachten customs held upon returning from church leading to the gift giving vary across the German-speaking countries. One of the most common situations sees the returning children wait to enter into their (locked) living room until a little bell rings. This bell marks the departure of the one delivering gifts. In the more Catholic regions - primarily South Germany and Switzerland - this is considered the Christ Child ("Christkind"), while those in North Germany commonly consider it to be the "Weihnachtsmann" (Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus) who is exiting. The children then enter to see the decorated Weihnachtsbaum (Christmas tree), with
The McGarrigle Christmas Hour Chaim Tannenbaum, Pierre Marchand, Joel Zifkin, Brad Albetta, Teddy Thompson and Beth Orton. The album was named as number 21 in the list of "40 Essential Christmas Albums" by "Rolling Stone". The tracks chosen for the album are primarily traditional Christmas carols or pop standards, although several original Christmas-themed songs written by the participants were included as well. The McGarrigle Christmas Hour The McGarrigle Christmas Hour is the tenth album by Kate & Anna McGarrigle, released in 2005. A sequel to their 1998 album "The McGarrigle Hour", the album features a program of Christmas music recorded by the McGarrigles, their