The joy of giving

On Christmas Eve, presents are a must in most households. Unwrapping colorful packages makes children and adults happy. Many people are even more comfortable than giving presents themselves when they make someone else happy – as science has shown. Once again, this year, many Austrians have been searching for the perfect Christmas gifts for their family, friends, and acquaintances. Receiving gifts makes people happy, but according to Viennese psychologist and happiness researcher Heide-Marie Smolka, in many cases, this is only partly due to the gift itself. Especially with close friends…

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Epiphany: 85,000 carolers bring blessings for 2023

85,000 (SternsingerInnen) carol singers will be on the road in 2023 as the Three Wise Men in Austria to bring the blessing.Eighty-five thousand children and young people will be dressed in royal robes after Christmas and until January 8, 2023. The “Three Kings” bring peace and blessings for the New Year throughout Austria. Millions of steps, open hearts and doors and filled donation boxes carry the blessing far and wide to people in need. The Epiphany Campaign, the relief organization of the Catholic Children’s Movement, uses donations to support around…

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Weather: Christmas holidays remain mild

The mild weather will remain in the coming days after Christmas. According to the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG) forecast, changeable weather and temperatures up to 13 degrees are expected in the coming days. Often sunny weather is expected on Christmas Day, especially in the western and southern half, away from fog zones. However, on the northern side of the Alps and in the east, a slight disturbance influence will be effective, leading to partly dense clouds and some rain until noon. With the departure of the disturbance…

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Christmas Eve – Personal thoughts and feelings

Yesterday, as I fell into my bed exhausted with a cold after a chaotic few days and the last of the Christmas stress, my thoughts gave me no peace. ‘It’s Christmas. Again.And, as usual, so incredibly fast.’I thought. ‘And how much has happened this year! What has happened? What has changed…? How many (unbelievably beautiful!) people did I get to meet, who entered my life (again) and who did I have to let go…? Crazy.’ I went my train of thought further. And so, caught in my maze of thoughts,…

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How to get through the holidays without infection

Waves of disease driven by different pathogens still have Austria firmly in their grip. Even the holidays do not change that. Thus, the Covid forecast consortium does not expect significant changes over the Christmas holidays – neither down nor up – in terms of new infections or hospital occupancy. Regarding new conditions, wastewater monitoring and officially reported case numbers also point to stagnation. An average of under 4,900 positive tests per day are reported throughout Austria. Corona protection measures are hardly in place, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take…

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Corona situation in Austria stable before Christmas

The Corona situation in Austria remained stable on Friday ahead of the Christmas holidays. According to AGES, four thousand six hundred six new infections were reported the previous day. This is in line with the weekly average of 4,666 positive tests daily. 1,194 SARS-CoV-2-infected people were in the hospital Friday morning, down 53 from Thursday but up 17 week-over-week. Sixty-one covid sufferers were in intensive care, the same number as 24 hours ago. In this week’s preview, the Covid forecasting consortium’s model calculators expected a steady situation in hospitals and…

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The new vaccination schedule for 2023 warns against flu and measles

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is here to stay. But that should not obscure the view of other vaccine-preventable diseases. Now the “Vaccination Plan Austria 2023” of the Ministry of Health has been published. It warns, in particular, against influenza and less measles vaccination protection in children. The latter may prove to be a risk again with some delay. Every year, a broad panel of experts has summarized the status and recommendations on immunizations in the Austrian Immunization Plan. The current paper, which came out Tuesday (Dec. 20), outlines the current situation…

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Wave of inflation for motorists – new prices in detail

Not good news for car and motorcycle drivers: many things will also become more expensive in 2023. The ARBÖ club clarifies what costs come to drivers. It will not be possible to drive away from inflation in the coming year: The first increase in the CO2 tax, which was introduced on October 1, will take effect on January 1. This means the tax will be raised from 30 euros per ton to 32.50 euros. Initially, an increase to 35 euros was even planned. But due to the high fuel prices,…

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Here you can get ” das Friedenslicht” (the light of peace 2022) in Vienna. All addresses

Also, in 2022, you can get the Peace Light in Vienna again from the Red Cross or the professional fire department home. We have all the addresses at a glance. Every year, the ORF Light of Peace shines at Christmas in many living rooms at home. The following overviews of where the Peace Light can be collected in Vienna. Pick up the Light of Peace 2022 at the Vienna Fire DepartmentOn December 24, the Light of Peace will be available free of charge at all main fire stations of the…

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