Monday December 14, 2009
Munich's Christmas market, called "Christkindl Markt", is celebrated at Marienplatz, in the heart of Munich's Old Town. The first Munich Christmas market was held in 1642, and back then, it was famous for gingerbread, manger figurines, and chimney sweeps made out of plums and almonds.
Special events at the Munich Christmas market include free traditional Christmas concerts; they are held every day at 5.30 p.m. on the balcony of Munich's Town Hall.
Inside the Town Hall, a "Heavenly Workshop" for kids between 6 and 12 is organized, offering arts and crafts and cookie baking for little Christmas market visitors.
Saturday December 12, 2009
For me, the highlight of every Christmas market visit is eating and drinking. Sure, I enjoy the Christmas music, I like browsing for ornaments and gifts, but nothing beats the smell of roasted chestnuts mixed with baked apples, or the steaming pots of hot, spiced wine.
I put together a list of my favorite Christmas treats that you'll find at a typical German Christmas market and that you should definitely try. Enjoy!
- Stollen - traditional German Christmas cake with dried fruits, nuts, spices, and sugar icing
- Glühwein - hot spiced wine
- Nürnberger Rostbratwürste - small charcoal-grilled Nuremberg sausages
- Lebkuchen - gingerbread biscuits
- Brataepfel - baked apples
- Gebrannte Mandeln - roasted almonds
- Maronen - roasted chestnuts
- Marzipanbrot - "Marzipan Bread", a big piece of Marzipan, shaped like a loaf of bread
(Photo: Johannes Kroemer/Getty Images)
Thursday December 10, 2009
The Jewish Museum of Berlin celebrates the festival of lights with a month-long Hanukkah Market in the museum's glass courtyard.
The Berlin Hanukkah market offers Jewish specialties and Hanukkah wares from all over the world; you can sample Israeli delights such as date paste and candied fruit, buy Judaica like Hanukkah lamps, mezuzots, and dreidel, or find some great gifts, like cosmetics with minerals from the Dead Sea. If you love German mulled wine, you can wash down your latkes with a glass of kosher hot spiced wine.
Find out address, opening hours, and more information about the Berlin Hanukkah celebration here.
Hanukkah Resources on About.com
(Photo: Stockbytes/Getty Images)
Wednesday December 9, 2009
Do you need some inspiration for a Christmas present? Have a look at this list with unique Gifts "made in Germany". From little Hummel figurines, and organic skin care, to clothing, books, and toys, these presents will make any Germany aficionado happy.
And don't worry, you don't have to rush to Germany before Christmas to pick them up - you can buy all these gifts online. Happy Christmas Shopping!
Christmas Shopping in Germany
(Photo Courtesy of Pricegrabber)
