DW reporter Meike Krüger tested equipment for four new winter trend sports: the airboard, snow fox, the ski bockerl, a kind of wheelless mountain bike on short skis, and the SMX at Oberstorf's Snow park.

The mechanical toys by Ukrainian company Ugears have fans all over the world. The 3D models are made entirely from wood and are slotted together – no glue is needed. The result: delicate retro-looking contraptions.

The final of the International Telekom Beethoven Competition took place in Bonn last weekend. The event takes place every two years and pays tribute to the piano works of Beethoven, who was born in the city.

The first nativity play, or re-enactment of Jesus' birth, was staged in Greccio, Italy, in 1223. Saint Francis of Assisi had the idea. The nativity play is still one of the year's highlights there today.

This house has a second roof whose ridge digs into the ground. Polish architect Robert Konieczny received a Design Award from Wallpaper Magazine for his "ark" in Brenna, Poland.

Sari Hansen shows you how to make a unique newspaper rack from basic copper pipes. All the steps are explained in a simple video.

At Taverna Ousia, Athanasios Gortsas delights his guests with traditional Greek fare. He shows you how to make a delicious dish of lamb shoulder in red wine.

Way up in the Arctic Circle, near the city of Rovaniemi, there's an amusement park with all the trappings of Christmas. DW heads north to meet Santa in his very own village.

The Star Wars saga from episode I to VII in just 3 minutes – for those who want to join the party chat, and who want to know what came before Episode VIII, without sitting through over 15 hours of galactic swashbuckling.

During advent in Zurich, the city lights up like a Christmas tree. It's a magical place, with its market, circus, and of course, cheese fondue. And what better way to digest than a stroll through the brightly-lit city?