diff --git a/src/scripts/e3a/xmas2009.lua b/src/scripts/e3a/xmas2009.lua
index c29c93bba..ee22a0529 100644
--- a/src/scripts/e3a/xmas2009.lua
+++ b/src/scripts/e3a/xmas2009.lua
@@ -4,7 +4,10 @@ function xmas2009()
     set_key("xm09", true)
     for f in factions() do
       f:add_item("xmastree", 1)
-      f:add_notice("santa2006")
+      local msg = message.create("msg_event")
+      msg:set_string("string", "santa2006")
+      msg:send_faction(f)
+      return 0
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/src/scripts/tests/e3a.lua b/src/scripts/tests/e3a.lua
index ef82d4f39..e03166c7c 100644
--- a/src/scripts/tests/e3a.lua
+++ b/src/scripts/tests/e3a.lua
@@ -18,6 +18,15 @@ local function use_tree(terrain)
   return r
 end
 
+function test_xmas2009()
+  local r = region.create(0,0, "plain")
+  local f = faction.create("noreply@eressea.de", "human", "de")
+  local u1 = unit.create(f, r, 1)
+  process_orders()
+  xmas2009()
+  assert_equal("xmastree", f.items())
+end
+
 function test_xmastree()
   local r
   r = use_tree("ocean")