We had the opportunity to spend a weekend in Nuremberg and in doing so we got to see the oldest Christmas Market in Germany. Now we are back in Cologne exploring the seven Christmas Markets here. Each one has a different feel and theme (angelic, gnomes, fairy tale), which you can identify right away because of the decoration of that market. What the towns here do is set up little wooden structures – all the same size, made up of 4 walls and a roof. The front wall is a half wall with a counter and they display their wares. Each stall’s items are unique to that seller, but they may be many selling the same type of items as another. Many are exclusively Christmas things like ornaments, decorations, nutcrackers, or wooden toys. Some sell handcrafted sheep wool slippers, scarves and hats, and leather goods. Somewhat like a craft fair at home, but the biggest difference is all the extras. That would be the food stands selling local specialties such as brats, candied apples, gingerbread cookies, chocolates, and potato pancakes. They are cooking and preparing right there sometimes on open fires, so the aromas are amazing. Then there is drink – warm, spiced, mulled wine which comes in little ceramic mugs with each market having a mug unique to the market (you can become a collector and each year are new ones!). It’s the combination of sights, sounds, and smells that make the market experience unique. There is music at various spots most often-small groups or individuals playing. There is no piped in Christmas music playing. For the children there is often a small carousal set up. At the Dom there was a puppet theater performing for the children. At another market in Cologne they make an ice skating rink! It is the overall festive atmosphere and traditional fare that make the markets so special.
