Bonn, Germany  - It's been a tradition in Germany for people to remember the municipal employees who haul away their garbage at Christmas with a bottle of schnapps or other type of alcohol.

But many municipalities no longer approve of their employees receiving gifts of alcohol, Germany's etiquette council in Bonn said. On their daily rounds in the holiday season, it's not unusual for the cab of the truck to become piled up with bottles.

New York (dpa) - Glitzy and glamorous Christmas cards are losing favour
this festive season as the global recession bites ever deeper.

Dire economic straits and rising unemployment have soured the mood
and some people are shying away from cards adorned by a jolly, round
Santa complete with a gift-laden sleigh. Instead, images of people
baking cookies, strolling in a winter wonderland and decorating
Christmas trees are in vogue this year.

Up to 85 per cent of Americans send each other Christmas cards

Paris  - The Paris f

Hamburg  - Every other Thursday, a Hamburg movie house puts away its screen in the hope of bringing people together to listen to a story read aloud.

Berlin (dpa) - Television, whether it broadcasts a football match from 1954 or the first lunar landing, used to be more of a group experience which a club in Berlin club hopes to recreate.

Amsterdam  - "Nothing is holy, except the love between two people" - that's the motto adopted by gay and lesbian groups to celebrate Amsterdam's first Pink Christmas this year.