The German Christmas tree (Tannenbaum) is usually put up and decorated on Christmas Eve, though some families opt to erect their tree during the Advent season. German Christmas Markets – Christmas Shopping in Germany Several different types of Advent calendars are used in German homes. This is called “Christbaumloben”. The History of "O Tannenbaum" A Tannenbaum is a fir tree (die Tanne) or Christmas tree (der Weihnachtsbaum).Although most Christmas trees today are spruce (Fichten) rather than Tannen, the qualities of the evergreen have inspired musicians to write several Tannenbaum songs in German … Why do people do such a crazy thing? Decorations may include tinsel, glass balls or straw ornaments and sweets. //