German MPs Sent Tank-Shaped Advent Calendars by Rheinmetall, Sparking Outcry Over ‘Militarisation’ of Christmas

Members of the German parliament this year received an unusual seasonal gift: a shoebox-sized advent calendar shaped like a battle tank and filled with 24 small chocolates. The calendars were produced by major defence contractor Rheinmetall and modelled on the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle — a platform the company supplies to Ukraine.

What Happened

Rheinmetall sent three variants of the calendar to MPs: one tank design and two armoured transport vehicles. Each cardboard model features 24 small doors along its chassis, one for each day of Advent. The manufacturer presented the design as symbolic of Germany’s role in European defence.

Public Reaction

The gift provoked a strong backlash. Critics said the calendars romanticised warfare and signalled a creeping militarisation of German culture. Henri Schmidt, a member of parliament from Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democrats (CDU), posted an Instagram video showing one of the models and quipped:

“So many advent calendars landed in Berlin in the last few weeks, I could almost open my own Christmas market.”

The post drew fierce criticism from constituents and commentators, and Mr Schmidt later disabled comments on the Instagram entry. A trade magazine published by German precious-metals firm Kettner Edelmetalle condemned the calendars as a sign of an “unholy alliance” between politicians and the defence industry, arguing that Christmas should be about family and peace rather than the glorification of weapons.

There is significant debate in Germany about the role of the arms industry - Morris MacMatzen

Political Context

The controversy comes amid a broader national debate over Germany’s defence posture. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in office since last May, has pushed landmark reforms to expand defence spending and pledged to transform the Bundeswehr into what he calls the “strongest conventional army in Europe.” Rheinmetall is widely expected to benefit from increased procurement and national defence projects.

Supporters of the calendar said it reflects a changed security environment in Europe and can be seen as a show of pride in German defence engineering. Gregor Golland, the commissioner for armed forces in the Düsseldorf state parliament, told Bild the Lynx is a “top-quality product of the German defence industry” and described the calendar as “very creative.”

Why It Resonated

Germany’s arms industry remains a sensitive subject. The legacy of the Nazi era continues to influence public debate about the country’s military role, and attitudes vary regionally — particularly in parts of the former East Germany where views on Russia are more sympathetic. That historical and political backdrop intensified the reaction to what many regarded as an inappropriate seasonal gift.

Rheinmetall Response

A Rheinmetall spokesman confirmed the company produced three different models and said they were distributed as promotional items. The firm declined to expand on the rationale beyond presenting the designs as a product tie-in to its well‑known platforms.

Fact Check: The calendars are cardboard promotional items containing 24 chocolates/doors and are modelled on the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle, which Rheinmetall supplies internationally, including to Ukraine. Recipients included members of the German parliament.