For what it's worth, I always thought the timing was perfect. No other commitments, everyone has holidays, not a soul commuting so roads and trains are empty...

For what it's worth, I always thought the timing was perfect. No other commitments, everyone has holidays, not a soul commuting so roads and trains are empty... the only annoying thing is that absolutely zero stores are open on the 26th so you need to think ahead to bring food for arrival day (welcome to germany, u/lucb1e on his first congress :p). Of course, covid now changes things, but until christmas holidays are in summer (the southern hemisphere could finally have them during their winter season, perhaps we should swap it every other year?), it won't be the case that literally everyone has holidays and it works out so well again.