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Panoramic View of the Alps, Les Dents du Midi by Gustave Courbet, 1877

Afterglow · Room 3, Holidays

Christmas Eve gifts in Germany, Austria, Czechia, Poland and beyond

Gustave CourbetPanoramic View of the Alps, Les Dents du Midi1877Cleveland Museum of Art · CC0 · hung

Move to light the painting

Overview

The guide, in short

In much of Central Europe presents are opened on Christmas Eve, December 24. International orders take 45 days or longer, so order as early as you can, to give your gift the best chance.

Who brings the gifts

  • Germany: the Christkind in the south and west, the Weihnachtsmann in the north, on the evening of the 24th
  • Austria and Switzerland: mostly the Christkind
  • Czechia: Ježíšek, who is never seen
  • Poland: gifts come out from under the tree after Wigilia supper

Timing, plainly

Orders can take up to 15 days to process, and international delivery takes 45 days or longer. Ordering now gives the most room, but we can't promise a date. If a gift might be late, a card on the 24th saying it's on the way is better than nothing under the tree.

Gifts for a Central European winter

December here is cold and often wet. Gifts that get used every day suit it:

  • Cashmere-lined leather gloves
  • An Italian cashmere scarf
  • A wool throw for long evenings

Duties and returns

Duties and taxes may be due on delivery unless checkout shows them prepaid. Outside the US, sales are final except for rights local law gives you that can't be waived, so check sizes before you order.

Shop: Cashmere-lined gloves · Cashmere scarves · Wool throws

On the way out

The museum shop

Take one home

Buy now goes straight to checkout with just that piece. Each piece's own page has its full details.

Browse the rooms of the shop

Collections of independent brands; each piece's own details win.