Der kleine Kaiser Franz hat den Fußball erfunden und bekommt seitdem jedes Weihnachten hunderte Fußbälle geschenkt. Im Himmel aber hat der Weihnachtsmann das Fußballspiel erfunden, und dort läuft alles ein bisschen anders, so dass er dem kleinen Kaiser das ultmative Weihnachtsgeschenk machen kann.

Total abgedrehte und untypische Weihnachtsgeschichte, aber trotzdem (oder gerade dadurch?) herrlich schön und sehr gut gelungen -- für Erwachsene bestimmt genauso wie für kleine Leser.

I just thought that this would make the perfect addition to an HGG parcel for someone who enjoys German football. :)
The story is this: Little emperor Franz is the one who invended football (on earth). Ever since, he gets loads and loads of footballs for Christmas -- which he loves, but it's getting to the point were this is getting boring even for Father Christmas. After some deliberation, Father Christmas decides the little emperor should have an extra present for inventing football: he will take him on a trip to the heavens with him, because when Father Christmas was Franz' age, he invented... football in Heaven!
Once Franz and his servant have gotten used to wearing wings, they kick off to a football match in the sky with Father Christmas, Knecht Ruprecht, and a real archangel for a referee! Team Father Christmas would have won the game, if it hadn't been for an offside offense.
When Franz wins the match, he is overjoyed -- and Father Christmas has once again shown that he knows how to give the best presents even to those who really already have everything.

Pretty loopy, but also very cute and heartwarming. I loved it, despite not having more than the most fleeting interest in spectator sports at all.

Pretty late for HGG gift, but I hope you'll still enjoy this. After all, they play football this time of year, too! ;)

Hi! So sorry for the late journalling, I only just received this as I've been away at uni since January.

Anyway, thank you so much for the HGG gift! I LOVE the Schalke sweatbands, and so many postcards!

Thank you so much, and I'm so sorry I was so late getting them :)