Merry Kit-mas from the Bundesliga

Werder Bremen's Christmas kit for 2012.

Football clubs have a tendency to change their kits a lot these days.

New strips are seemingly brought out for reasons both commemorative and spurious. 100th anniversary. Anniversary of a major win. Anniversary of moving ground.

But Christmas. That's a new one on us.

So congratulations to Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund for spotting a gap in the market, and launching new kits designed to be worn during the winter holiday season.

And major kudos to Bremen, because if you're going to do this kind of thing, do it properly.

For while Dortmund's new winter kit looks just looks like a standard kit - slightly retro, some shading and embossing, but otherwise could be a home kit - Bremen have gone the whole hog and redesigned the club badge. Into a Christmas tree.

This is, in fact,the 11th year that Bremen has swapped out their traditional diamond-shaped club bandage for a more festive looking one, which will be worn as a one off during the final home game before Christmas, against Nurnberg on December 16.

In every other respect, it's the same as the normal home kit. Except it's got what looks like a car air freshener for a badge. And it comes in a lovely gift presentation box.

At least Dortmund's kit will get outings in three matches - against Greuter Furth on December 17, Mainz on Christmas Eve and then again three days later against Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Ho. Ho. Ho.