Yet another interesting cultural quirk, to rank alongside the German fairy tale opera, the toy symphony (or “kindersinfonie”) seems to have been all the rage in Germany for well over a century, at least since Leopold Mozart’s cheeky lark, long attributed to Haydn, which includes plenty of drums, toy trumpets, and bird whistles. Depending on whether or not you have little ones congregating at your house, this may or may not be the escape from Christmas you’re looking for. Click on the links at your own risk.

Leopold Mozart, Cassation in G major, “Toy Symphony” (1760s)

Bernhard Romberg, Symphonie burlesque, “Toy Symphony” (1852)

“Kinder-Symphonie,” a late addition to the genre by Carl Reinecke (1897)