This is day 24 of my advent calendar. (The advent calendar draws are now closed)

It is the last chance to win the cologne du Maghreb, in a very simple 50 ml flacon,  all natural and all botanical, by simply leaving a comment below.

But wait, wait, wait: Because it is Christmas, you have another chances to win. If you are on facebook: You can comment here on my facebook page and double your luck to win. Click here to get to the facebook page.

And do not forget to leave a comment here on this blog, below. I will pick the last winners after the holidays and will be silent on my blog until early January.

This year’s advent calendar was a special experience for me. It was so fun, and I feel like I learned a lot about people and X-mas. When I woke up this morning, quite early, in anticipation of cooking and having my brother’s family here with us, when I looked back to my Christmases of the past, missing the festivities with my father and my mother, the miracle of X-mas, experienced as a little boy with singing and the comfort of my parent’s love, then I realized how blessed we all were and still are.

My family has its roots in Germany, and left with and after the war, and I am probably representing the first generation in a long while that could celebrate Christmas always in times of peace, without having to worry for food, for shelter, for fathers in prisons, for mothers in arms. I hope that my brother’s kids will continue celebrating with their kids in peace. It is a privilege and the most precious gift we can hand over to our kids and friends and family: Celebrating with our beloved ones in peace.

I wish you and your beloved ones merry holidays and a peaceful 2011.