We always felt very lucky to have a German mother as our Christmas celebrations were always special.  We had glittery Advent calendars sent over from our Omi in Germany a long time before they arrived in England, for example.  We used to celebrate the four Sundays of Advent with home made Advent biscuits and carol singing.  Last year on Mum's birthday all five of us repeated the tradition with the lovely windmill and Mum was very happy.