Like the germans say: "Erstens kommt es anders, und zweitens als man denkt." Which indicates you cant control life no matter how good your plans, so stay positive and adapt to the situation - just like you do.
you should quote the colognenian Grundgesetz „§2 et kütt wie et kütt (es kommt wie es kommt)“ §3 „et hött noch immer jott jejange (Es ist noch immer gut gegangen)
My family moved from Germany to France in 1981, we lived in a house with 10 apartments. Around Christmas time, my mum started decorating the house and the windows, put a wreath on the front door, and bake biscuits and a witch house with my brother and me. Each neighbour received a small box of biscuits. So it was exactly the way we did it in Germany. The next year, my mother gave workshops on baking biscuits and making Advent wreaths for the whole neighborhood! 😆
We have a Chritsmas Tree farm very near here in the UK and the largest German Christmas Market outside of Germany . Christmas trees were a German tradition introduced by Prince Albert in 1840. He was born in Coburg. Later in 1843 Queen Victoria sent the first official Christmas card which led to the penny Post etc. You can't beat Christmas in Germany. Xx
Yes! We did a video about the origins of the Christmas tree last year - the history is so interesting! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CQmF6Wkrd1w.html
I am originally from Coburg but now live near Nürnberg. I am glad that Albert introduced our German way of celebrating Christmas to the UK or at least Christmas trees. By the way: glass Christmas baubles originate from Lauscha, a small place in Thuringia, about 1-1,5 hours' drive from Coburg. They hold a bauble market there every year at the first two weekends in Advent, which is really worth visiting.
Christmas trees introduced by Prince Albert in 1840? No! In einer Akte der Mainzer Herrscher aus dem Jahr 1527 ist zu lesen von „die weiennacht baum“ im Hübnerwald in Stockstadt am Main. In a file of the Mainz rulers from the year 1527 one can read about "die weiennacht baum" in the Hübnerwald (Hubner's wood) in (the village of) Stockstadt am Main. Von 1539 gibt es einen urkundlichen Beleg, dass im Straßburger Münster ein Weihnachtsbaum aufgestellt wurde. From 1539 there is a documentary evidence that a Christmas tree was placed in the Strasbourg Cathedral.
I love German Christmas markets! All the food, Glühwein and just the overall atmosphere. We have similar markets here in DK, but it's not the same. What i love the most, is the huge selection of the Gebrannte nuts (Brændte mandler in Danish). We have them too here in DK, but only almonds. So when i finally get to go to Germany for Christmas, i get loads of different types to take home.
I am from Leipzig and our christmasmarket is a bit famous and it is always packed, even before COVID. Famous enough that it is a tourist attraction in itself. Lokals(who dont like that kind of experience) know to no go to the christmasmarkets that are full like that, you cant move, the crowd shoves you forward and it is just not fun. So we go either at times we know are more empty (like in the midle of the week after it just opened) or to the smaller ones in the districts of big cities or even just small towns around the area , they might be only open one weekend in december, but it gives the oportunity to go to lots of different markets. New experiences each weekend!
No, it's not a post-pandemic phenomenon that Christmas markets are crowded. I remember from previous years that our Christmas market here in Augsburg was always jam-packed.
Cities like Salzburg have always been very popular with tourists from all over the world, and what is actually very beautiful has now become a politely expressed curse for the city's inhabitants, but also for the city's infrastructure and buildings. Of course, the interest does not decrease at Christmas, although the Corona years have of course done the rest. But in Vienna we have a lot of different Christmas markets, big and small, also very special ones, spread all over the city, that helps a bit, but in the evening it gets very crowded almost everywhere, so a bit of experience is needed to know which one is best for me to go to. But I'm really happy for you to get finally that experience and wish you a nice 4th Advent.
Sara, my German husband and I, an American, got back to the U.S. a couple of days ago. We go every year-except for the past two-to different Christmas markets in Germany. We choose three each time and spend several days in each location. This year we went to Cologne, Heidelberg and Dusseldorf. Heidelberg and Dusseldorf were wonderful and magical. Cologne was a complete mob scene, could not move.Awful. In years past the only other location that miserable was Nuremberg. Munich has been lovely, we have visited three times. Salzburg was great as was Bonn, Leipzig and Hamburg. Love going, just don't to face a mob!
I am from Nuremberg and I must admit that this year was awful. I gave up after three rows of stalls because one couldn't move. However, it totally depends on the time of day that you're visiting. 24th in the morning is really cool and not as busy as you would think. During the week after 6 p.m. (as soon as the tourist busses have left town) it's good too. Generally the twin-city Christmas Market at the Nuremberg Christkindes Markt is always a good idea.
@@susanned.2523 Thanks so much for the ideas.Nuremberg is such an interesting and lovely city it is good to know the markets can be enjoyed with a little planning. We stayed within walking distance of the markets so could have come once the busses left. Interesting that the morning of the 24th is a good time to visit!
@@lissalack1490 on 24th most people seem busy with the preparations for the "Holy Night" so no time for Christmas Markets. Still the Market in Nuremberg is open till 2 pm on 24th, so we usually meet our friends at the "Kinderweihnacht" around 10 am to have a Glühwein or two, then stroll along the market stalls and in the end enjoy lunch at "Bratwurst Röslein" (which isn't full either on 24th). By the time we leave the restaurant, it's closing time for the market.
Something that made Christmas markets as well as other events even more packed than used to be the case anyways, of course, is social media. While popular big Christmas markets have been crowded and overrun with tourists forever, the same thing happened to small, atmospheric local markets that people would feature on social media. First, these places were made known to non-locals this way, and second, many people wanted to post a picture or video of themselves at these events, showing the world that they were "in the know" of "secret" lovely events and were active people going out in general. A sociological term for the phenomenon is: "ostentatious experiencing" ("demonstratives Erleben").
Personally, I prefer the small Christmas markets in the villages.You meet with friends,neighbors,and family,and celebrate this special time.The stall owners are all from the village or the surrounding area, everyone knows everyone and the prices are fair.No crowds of tourists, no stress, no exorbitant prices, good food and drinks... just being cozy together. And if it snows lightly - there is nothing better.
Yeah we do agree! It’s so much cozier and more special when it’s your own market with people you know, not touristy. Local food and local handmade items.
Good that you first went to a local Christmas market, in this way you are not 'spoiled' by a famous market and you are supporting the locals! Of course a christmas market is nicer if you go when it is dark ;)
All bigger Christmas marks are packed in the evening. I think we're not even close to what it was before the pandemic, as many still try to avoid big crowds of people. To enjoy a Christmas market you should come a little early and bring lots of time!
Hi.. So schön unsere Weihnachtstraditionen mit euren Augen zu sehen..it is like reading a fairytale :) our christmasmarkets are always packed, but most of the time later the day or on weekends. So you have to go earlier to see everything and then you go back and eat and drink..later the day you can enjoy the lightnings and the smells and musik, and every market has his oen charm. And.. love your German and you do a good job. Hi from Nana💖
Town councils started to force the owners/operators of stalls to do something about all that waste from one-way plates and cups about thirty or so years ago. At first people did not really fancy the idea and there was concern that real glass and porcellain/earthenware may cause problems in case they got smashed, but with that deposit system people were quickly taught "how to behave". At most events all the stalls use the same plates, glasses and mugs so that the people can hand them in at various collecting points with professional dishwashing machines where they get their money back. The clean plates, glasses and mugs are then carted back to the stalls.
There are a few Christmas markets that have become quite famous and are therefore always packed with people, i.e. Augsburger Christkindlesmarkt, Nürnberger oder Regensburger Weihnachtsmarkt. I always enjoyed the Adventsmarkt in my home village Oberstdorf (the most southern village in Germany), because we (local associations and groups) would prepare hand-made and crafted things throughout the year to sell them at the market. I also sold sausages at the stand of our local Kolpingverein, all the Advent weekends. So when I think of village christmas markets, I think of community rather than big and overcrowded events. Merry Christmas and thanks for your videos, Miriam
Oh I love what you describe about your local market. That is so special! Selling hand made items made by locals is the best, and having the community come together. It can be easy to feel alone in our times when so much is online and we are more separated. I think events like Christmas markets can be an amazing way for us to come together.
It's nice that you like the Christmas market. I live in Germany and haven't been to a Christmas market in 10 years because it's usually too crowded for me. But during the Advent season, I often go to a few Christmas stalls, where there are usually a lot of delicacies, for example "Mutzen". But for people who didn't grow up with something like that, it might be something extraordinary.
I was at the market in Frankfurt some yrs ago (long before covid), and it was just waaay to crowded. U couldn't just stop at a stand if u wanted to. It was just a constant pushing from behind and u had to go with the flow. Wasn't much fun, eventhough the stands etc were really beautiful. Been to Munich as well some yrs ago. It was okayish, but it was early in the afternoon, and during workdays.
Yah genau it's always busy at the big Christmas Market here in Cologne as well. For example, the Christmas markets at the Cologne Cathedral (Köln Dom), the Chocolate Museum and by the Rathaus are always full of people but then again that's the fun experience of it. BTW, these markets that I mentioned above are also a big tourist attractions in the city and with that prices are eventually elevated.
You were so lucky with the snow, normally we don´t really see much of it in december^^ I was in Vienna with my best friend over a long weekend and I can say it only really got crowded at the Stephan´s Dome, but the other markets where still easy to navigate^^ In Vienna they also have a huge variety of Glühwein I noticed xD (and ironically the food was cheapest at the christmas market in Schönbrunn) Our local christmas market in the city only has the problem that the road between the stalls is still a bit narrow and of course everyone´s always gathering around the food stands. The most interesting one is still the one in the village where my grandparents lived, because it has local sellers with many hand crafted items :)
The Salzburg Christmas market doesn't seem overcrowded at all. I even think it's very nice when people stand close together at a stand and drink mulled wine, for example, while talking and having fun. The fuller the better.
Pushing your way through crowds while dodging people carrying Glühwein (and keeping your own out of harm's way) is definitely part of the normal Christmas market experience. You won't be able to avoid it 100%, but sticking to less popular/touristy locations and going early is definitely your best bet.
Guten Morgen. Die Weihnachtsmaerkte sind an den Wochenenden immer voll. Wenn es geht geh ich in der Woche. Schön jemanden aus eurer Familie zu sehen. Ich wünsche den beiden noch viel Spass auf ihrer Reise.
They are always packed after a while. I would recommend the smaller ones and that you go there when it just opened, to have a chance to see everything in peace. Of course the bigger ones are additional tourist magnets. So, maybe you like to chose the small ones - as you did in your area. That is ways more lovely and feels more like christmas - and not like commercial overflow. Thanks goodness your kids are better again, hope all is healed well. Take care and have a lovely time. I am working all christmas but the last 45 min of Holy Eve, I will be able to spend with my son and we will enjoy it just the more. Besides: Lovely video - as always. I enjoy it (while having the flu :D )... but at night it goes back to work.
Just got back from the German Christmas markets. We stay away from the bigger ones as we do t like the crowds. The smaller ones are so quaint, love them!
Wish you a nice Adventszeit as well. It's the fourth Advent(Sunday) today. One more week, and it's Christmas. Hope you get to see more Christmas markets. They are so wonderful (mulled wine, Kinderpunsch or hot chocolate, Bratwurst and other goodies, Christmas trinkets, and Christmas songs). The ones in the big cities are naturally crowded more than those in smaller cities or even villages.
I love special Christmas markets. For example we have on at a castle. You have to pay entrance but it's not as packed. Themed Christmas markets are also very nice like the Middle Ages one
It used to be crowded here too. Post Covid, they spread it out through the city centre more, they added more sites to place the same number of market stalls and tables you can enjoy your food and drinks at. I really appreciate that effect, more space to walk through and people more sparse.
Wunderbar! Sara, deine Videos werden von Woche zu Woche professioneller! Wie schön, dass ihr zuerst einen weniger überfüllten Weihnachtsmarkt besuchen konntet. Ich fürchte nur, die meisten Märkte sind gegen Abend fast überall überfüllt. Trotz der Coronapandemie. Was für ein Leichtsinn! Seid bitte vorsichtig. Die Kinder wollen kaum noch einmal krank im Bett liegen. Und genießt die herrlich verschneite Winterlandschaft!
When I was living in Braunschweig, the christmas market was crowded almost all the time. If possible I went there during the week avoiding the weekends and as early as I could manage. The same happened in northern Germany where I lived near Bremen. Nowadays, living in a small town in the east, the market is less crowded but also less amazing.
There is a sweet spot for christmas markets. Whenever it's advertised or known to tourists you can pretty much forget about it. Big enough to attract all the residents from surrounding districts, small enough to not be in scope for major tourist enterprises. My favorite, being from the Harz region, was always Goslar christmas marketl
Love your channel , the Christmas markets are becoming so popular in USA but mostly big cities , wish they had more in the small towns , the Gluwein in mugs is a great souvenir idea or recycle them 😊 , have fun with your aunt and uncle ❤
I also prefer the small local festivals. Whether Christmas markets or Oktoberfest or the annual city festivals. Not only that you meet old friends again but they are not too much tourism made and too commercial.Besides, you often know the shopkeepers and know what to eat and drink.And the prices are also much better. And that's right, they're not that crowded with people.
Yes to all of this! I was surprised by how commercial the Salzburg one was. So many things made in China and food that isn’t German or Austrian. It felt cheap, even though it was pretty. Our local market had handmade items by local artists and delicious, authentic food and good prices!
Beautiful tosee the snow, the family and I have great memories fron this beautiful country : Germany is very beautiful just like it's people nice and helpful. That's my 20's memories. Well filmed ! You make people travel with you. Ps : I noticed you said Salzburg Austria and I immediately thought, my next vid will me Mozart symphony :)
Greetings from Hamburg and thank you for another beautiful video. Here in Hamburg, the bigger Weihnachtsmärkte in the inner city are jampacked, too. Tourists from Scandinavia and everybody else - and us Hamburgians, too, of course. However, when we want to meet friends, we usually go to the smaller markets in the neighbourhood. For some Glühwein, Mutzenmandeln and a nice chat, you don´t have to put yourself into that hassle. Hope your kids get well soon and you don't catch it before Christmas. A happy one to all of you!
I love the Christmas markets! I would buy everything there. I was hungry while watching and wishing I had some food from the markets. It's beautiful in Salzburg. And the snow is gorgeous! I wish we would get some here in Chattanooga! Merry Christmas 🎄
You obviously missed the best local fast food dish at Salzburg Xmas market: The Bosna! That's a grilled long bun similar to a hotdog, filled with 2 thin pork Bratwurste and a topping made from Tarragon spiced mustard, Curry powder and chopped onions, garnished with fresh Parsley. The spicy dish was invented as street food around1950 in Salzburg by Zanko Todoroff, an immigrant from Bulgaria who later owned a small snack bar (in fact a 4 m² small room with a window to sell to the customers in a backyard) called "Balkan Grill" not far from where the Xmas market is located. There it is served until today. But there is good news: You can get this all over the year so don't miss to try it when you visit Salzburg again. Meanwhile it is sold by some butchers and snack bars in the southeast of Bavaria and in Austria, too. But better try the original... Fun fact: Even MCD in Salzburg tried to sell a "McBosna" years ago which was basically a McRib with that Bosna topping instead of Barbecue sauce. But it seems it didn't sell that well with the original's birthplace literally over the street so its not on the menue anymore.
You should really the ones from "Balkan Grill". I tried some other ones but they aren't good as these. When I was with my wife at the Salzburger or Innsbrucker Weihnachtsmarkt we always eaten Kiachl (with Sauerkraut). We didn't saw them anywhere else and we have been on Christmas markets in several cities. One other thing you should try next time in Christmas time is the Eierpunsch. It's Eierlikör mixed with white wine and on top Schlagsahne. It's also a famous (alcoholic) drink on Christmas markets. But not so much as the Glühwein.
I have been working at our local Christmas market, which is only on 1 weekend, for over 30 years, with the exception of the Corona years, and I actually got the impression that it was more crowded in the past. I also went to the awesome Weihnachtsmarkt in St. Wolfgang (not far from Salzburg) for the 1st time this year, and we were warned that it would be packed. Upon arriving we had to pass 4 full parking lots, until we could park at the beautiful Schafberg Bahn. We feared, that there would be a lot of pushing and shoving, but guess what, all those many people spread miraculously through the city, and we never felt it was overcrowded. The big advantage of St. Wolfgang is, that it's not just one square, but the whole town, so you always find some space. And if you still have enough of the people, you can take an Advent boat trip on lake Wolfgang. We really loved it, and I have seen MANY Christmas markets over the years.
If you can, you should really visit the christmas market in Hameln. One of the most beatiful markets and the town has still got all the small "Fachwerkhäuser" from the 16th and 17th century. So adorable!
I can tell from my experiences in the Christmas Markets (Christkindelmärik as they call it there) in Alsace, France, where i lived for more than 20 years. They were crowded of locals and tourist from all over the word, especially if you go there on week-end. It's less crowded during the week, but Christmas markets are really a cultural/social/economic/religious thing in Alsace, and i can imagine it's the same in Germany. And may be after 2 years of restrictions due to the pandemic, it's overcrowded. If you can, may be avoid the week-ends, and the hours with many peoples (evenings). From the images you published from Salzburg, i don't see so many peoples for a Christmas Market in a big city. Is that what you feel crowded ? It can be much worse. :-)
I love Christmas markets, especially in the smaller towns. The atmosphere is so much nicer when it is less crowded. I just visited the Würzburg Weihnachtsmarkt ( my home town) and Saarbrücken. Besides the Glühwein it is the local vendors that makes it so much fun. Big cities Weihnachtsmarkets can be very crowded. Thank you as always for sharing. Einen schönen 4. Advent wünsche ich euch.
In Dresden you have many christmasmarkets. You can walk the half day through the city an see different types. Later in the evening they are crowded. In our village we had this year four different on different days. One on a little marketplace, one in a castle park, one in and by the school organized by kids and one privat in a neighborhood. All four had live music, drinks and food and you could by christmas presents. The homemade food on the privat was the best. And much fun with friends too.
I can highly recommend the christmas market at Gut Herrmannsdorf near Glonn, Landkreis Ebersberg. Itˋs all organic food and there is a lot of art you can buy. That market is every year on the second „Advent-weekend“…
I think this year every place is packed with people and I think it's a post pandemic thing. Every Volksfest, Mittelalter Markt or Theme Parks were over crowded. Usually you are good to go during the week but not this year. I think it will get bye when time passes, but at least for the next year, due to rising costs for gas, oil etc, people will stay within Germany and will spend their free time locally and not travel far.
Its so equal witch Christmas Market your family visited. The fact for me an you. You joyned the Special day in your family life. Thats the Message. Not more Not less in your Content
@@MyMerryMessyGermanLife bin erstaunt wie gut Dein Deutsch geworden ist. es hat sich viel getan in den letzten Monaten! Viele kleine Nuancen sind jetzt korrekt. ich denke ihr seid eingetauscht in die Kultur
Christmas markets are always jammed packed.. even before covid.. but certain times and days are worse (eg weekend, after dark and after work times) than other times and days (in the week, and early when it opens, in daylight). Lovely vlog.
Even the Weihnachtsmarkt in your Hometown looks very big and Comercial. I recomend to visit a few more next year in smaller villages because they are a lot more cosy and maybe small huts which sell hand crafted Chrismass things.
I went to Aachen University and Aachen has one of the "famous christmas markets". I used to live like 200 m away from where it is placed and for a couple of years worked in restaurant/Pub directly in the christmas market area. Weekends were always terribly crowded. In a way where i felt i had to walk with the crowd and not how I wanted to (which is especially annoying when you just want to get home or to work). Weekdays were much nicer and much more "christmassy". I would never go there on a weekend, especially not with my small kids. I'd be afraid to lose them. 🙈
Yes! I’d also be afraid to lose our kids in a giant crowd and yeah, it can feel like the crowd moves you and you don’t get a choice. It’s so nice that we live here and can go during the week.
I can agree with you, I also lived in Aachen as a student and after my first year I wouldn't go to the Christmas market anymore during the weekends. You can't comfortably walk around and it's hard to find a spot just for drinking Glühwein with a group of people without the constant fear of losing your company. 😅
Christmas market in Salzburg (old town) has always been very touristy, I like Traunstein very much, it's nice to hang out with friends for an after hour drink. Many Christmas markets have always been very crowded since tourism discovered them in the last 10-20 years. in this area your next years bucket list should include: Burg Gruttenstein in Bad Reichenhall, Barbaramarkt in Tittmoning, Christmas Market Schloß Tüßling and the Bayropäischen Vorweihnachtsmarkt in Baumburg. Frauenchiemsee, Halsbach and Burghausen castle would be nice too, but be warned those places are always packed.
I rarely go to Christmas markets anymore since for me, they feel way too comercialized, with a lot of useless, overpriced stuff being sold. But a couple of years ago, a good friend came visiting from the UK, and she wanted to see our Christmas markets, of course. I took her to two local ones, and then... we went to Nürnberg. What can I say, even my friend had enough of it all after having done about two thirds of the Christkindlmarkt, so we called it quits. But, as we went walking around a bit further, we found a signpost indicating another little market in the inner yard of the Nürnberg city hall and decided to give it a try. We were most pleasantly surprised with a tiny Christmas market with a stall from each of Nürnberg's twin towns/sister cities, where the folks offered specialties from Italy, France, Poland, Scotland and other places. It was so charming, and totally made up for the lack of spirit we felt at the main market... Long story short: go looking for the smaller experience, it is often more genuine!
All the Christmas Markets get crowded on the weekends. You have to take it as part fochten experience. I love the markets in Passau and Stuttgart. And our market here in Lindau is really nice, too. It’s in the harbor right at Lake Constance which makes it special.
Crowded? It depends... ;-) Even in the 1980s I remember the markets (Yes, there were several) in Münster to be packed like hell. You could barely get to any market stand. In my hometown Recklinghausen however, the market in the Altstadt was crowded, but you could get through and enjoy. For several years I supplied a market stand on the Siegplatte in the city of Siegen. Delivering at 10 in the morning was easy, but getting to the booth even from the back on a Friday or Saturday afternoon could be a real challenge. You could not get to any market stand walking the market. You would just get pushed around for an hour or so and randomly get closer to a Glühweinstand or Bratwurstbude. By chance you could put your order, and by even more chance you could get your desired items. Rumors go that ocasionally people passed out in the pack, but could just not fall to the ground in the market. Instead, even a person that would have died there would be pushed along like all the others, until randomly and finally they would have arrived at an entrance with space enough to collapse...
The markets were a little fuller this year after they were cancelled last year. I noticed a lot more English being spoken at the Munich markets last weekend, I think there are a lot of internationals travelling for the experience again, more so than before. But you really can't be surprised that the markets in a major tourist city like Salzburg are busy of a weekend 😆. That was always the case. A couple of years ago we took the parents up to Augsburg on Christmas Eve - they arrived late and Augsburg was the closest market still open so close to Christmas. It was heaving. People standing at least 6-deep at the Glühwein stands. Enjoy your stay in Bayern.
When you go to a Christmas market like the big one in Nürnberg you have to go in the middle of the week. It's not so crowded when you go early afternoon but later in the afternoon it's packed. Forget about the weekend it's crazy. I like the little ones around my hood , not so crowded and you see a lot of friends who you can talk to. It has a familiar touch 😉
Okay good to know! I hope to one year go to the Nürnberg Christkindlmarkt as I’m sure it’s amazing! And I just have to go to the Schmidt store to buy authentic Lebkuchen.
@@MyMerryMessyGermanLife well Schmidt is actually more like the Lebkuchen discounter.(but really decent quality and taste!). like Aldi for german food. Get some good hand-made Lebkuchen from locals or bake yourself :)
Hi, I'm really happy for you, that you finally made it for the Christmas market this year. :) But why didn't you go to the most famous one in Nürnberg ? And yes,now it is a post-covid reason, why the markets are so overfilled this year. Of course, the right time to visit a Christmas market is before lunch....if you prefer to see everything at the stalls and to find the place not crowded. Germans are usually visiting the markets in the afternoon or evening, because of the very special Christmas atmosphere, meeting friends or family there, or the whole staff of companies are enjoying their quitting time, trying to relax after a hard working day. Thus, most people you can find there in the evenings ... Regensburg had a small, but nice market as well....My favorite one is always one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany, in my hometown Frankfurt/Main. What is so special to it, you'll ask me .. and I mean, First, it's really big, there are lots of stalls, where you can find all kind of traditional Christmas ornaments, food and drinks....last year I'd recommended you the famous FEUERZANGENBOWLE, which is even better than Glühwein...and second, for most Germans it is simply a long custom/folkway to walk over the market in December, eating and drinking there. Everybody is waiting for snow and when the market is then white, people are getting in the right mood for Christmas....like in the carols, it makes spirit bright ! So, I wish you a nice Christmas time and all my best wishes to you for the coming new year 2023 ! ....and keep on trying to discover good old Germany with all its customs and habits in every corner of the country, it's worth doing it :) :) :)
At the Christmas Market in my hometown there are two major places and one smaller place with just one stall and a few pavilions and some „Heizpilze“ where they had a special recipe for their Glühwein and it was delicious. But also at the bigger market places you could get some varieties of Glühwein, white, red and Apfelwein with or without Schuß. And when it comes to the mugs, it‘s in my opinion also nice to warm up your hands while holding those mugs with the hot Glühwein in it. Do this with paper or plastic cups and you‘ll probably burn your hands. Also yesterday at the aforementioned small spot, you could get a Warmhaltekanne full of Glühwein and pre warmed mugs, so that the Glühwein wouldn’t get cold so fast. But the deposit for four people was as expensive as the Glühwein itself.
Hey Guys, German here (so for all native speakers: pls. excuse any mistakes i might make ^^): personally i'd like the smaller Christmas Markets better than the large one whereas my favourite ones are the medieval themed ones - i just love them! On the other hand: last Saturday i've been to Cologne. And oh boy, was i little prepared for the masses of people. That was no fun at all. One day i hope to get to see the so called "Burgweihnacht" at Burg Satzvey (literally "Castle Christmas at Castle Satzvey"). That would be a real treat.
Yes, you have to reckon with huge crowds on the bigger, well-known christmas markets. Except if you have the possibility to carve out an early week day visit. Which would mean your kids have to miss school only to visit that thing ... That was so, even before the pandemic. Btw: Everyone please make sure when you go to a Christmas Market, don't only buy food but buy something from the stands! If the good stands with quality wares don't sell things - they may not come again ... About the food, though: The traditional Christmas market food is still on offer: Bratwurst, oftentimes the more spicy variety, Kartoffelpuffer and some regional specialities (Schupfnudeln around where I live). However, Germans are only lately beginning to really love international street food. And a lot of that is American inspired. Burghers, Pulled Pork, but also vegetarian offers like Falafel on veges are making their way onto any food-booth in Germany, including those on the Weihnachtsmarkt.
Here in Niederbayern there is Pullmann City, and they have a gorgeous Christmas Market and Saloon and animals and carousels. You can stay at their Hotel overnight. It might be a nice alternative for you. My favourite Christmas Market as the one at the Chinesischer Turm in the Englischer Garten in München. It is small, and cosy and very old school Christmass. And a few minutes walk, there is the market in Schwabing. Also the market on Weissenburger Platz is lovely. Wishing you a quiet and cozy 4. Advent! 😘
The impression can be deceiving since German Christmas markets are generally well attended. Yes the influx is greater because again all without access restriction to the markets may, but that is I think only minimally decisive. I think the problem is that the Christmas markets in Germany are mostly moved to the city center, where Christmas market visitors meet people who go shopping normally and that makes the whole thing so crowded. We in the "Ruhrgebiet/NRW" like to go to the markets in small suburbs of big cities, where you can still enjoy the atmosphere, unlike in the city.
The mugs are so lovely! You can start to collect the mugs every year :-) I did so in Cologne since the last 2 decades - the mugs change every year there! Your relatives are very nice people!
Awww, Sarah, "gute Besserung" to your four kids. That is sooo unfortunate. But at least many Christmas Markets stay open till New Year's Eve so you still got a chance to go and visit with your kids, even though it would only be an After-Christmas-Market. Yeah, and I get that your kids would really have appreciated staying in a real castle. Usually, the Christmas Markets in small towns and villages tend to be far less crowded, as they are less well known. Which makes them far nicer to stroll through. On the other hand, only the really big Christmas Markets in the bigger cities can afford to rent some of the really big attractions and highlights. Like Hamburg's Rathausplatz Christmas Market with its huge illuminated 'christmas tree' construction, and the 'flying' Santa's Sleigh across the plaza. So it really depends on your preferences. Q: "crowding before or after the pandemic worse": Huh, you got me there. I couldn't say with any certainty either way. Again; I'd GUESS that it really depends on the city or town you go to. Some might be jam packed to the gills, others might almost be deserted. Difficult to say. Time of day also plays a major role in the density of crowds. The more daylight, the less dense the crowds. Weekends tend to be massively overcrowded. Conversely, one thing is absolutely certain: towards the evenings, when it gets dark, the lights come on, the Christmas Markets (literally) start to shine. It is somehow magical to stroll through the dark, soggy, drab streets suddenly turning into blooming; lighted festivities, with the scents of Glühwein and roasting goodies wafting through the air. Everything starts to feel focussed, yet still relaxed, and the mood rises. People gather to meet and celebrate each others company, accentuate the festivities with all the goodness available around them. Each stall is its own little island of light and delight in the darkness, tantalizing with both new things to discover and well-known things to cherish. Some things become traditions, some are hated (like Wham's "Last Christmas", uuurgh), yet we still all love it. So the best advice is: go in right when the sun is about to set (that would be around 4.30 PM for most of Germany during the Christmas Market season), when the streets barely start to get dusky. Stroll through the still somewhat visible streets, find the views and grab the foods you definitely wanted. Then settle in at one stall, preferably with seating arangements, then park your butts there, and have one or two people be the dedicated drinks and food bus-person in your group while the others save your seats at the table. Have them shuttle all the comestibles to your table. Because one thing is absolutely certain: a table spot left open for a few seconds too long will be gone in the evening before you can blink. It is also efficient as it cuts down on the lines a lot. Totally agree on the quality of mugs over paper or styrofoam cups. Holding a thick, ceramic mug means the liquid inside also doesn't loose its temperature that quickly, AND you are able to hold it a slight distance with the handle, if it is too hot, and literally cup the mug in your hands, to warm your fingers on a cold night. It is strange that a feeling of discomfort (cold fingers) can suddenly become a treasured memory when it is leavened with the warmth emanating from a hot mug of Glühwein or even Kinderpunsch. I totally get your lack of a word to describe that experience. It is truly something you need to experience yourself to KNOW what you are talking about. You might be able to empathize with it, but without experiencing it yourself, you simply won't KNOW what it is. Great to see your relatives. I hope they have/had a great time here. Hopefully you all can celebrate a Merry Christmas together back home, or wherever you are. Thank you, Sarah and Kevin and your kids for allowing us to partake of your lives, and the joys you are experiencing.
Heyho, Christmas Markets were always quite packed already before the pandemic, at least the bigger ones. That's the reason I always avoided the inner city here in Trier during the advent, since it was always so crowded, especially on weekends. In our case, it was a lot of french tourists, even during the week. And since I'm not the biggest fan of the combination of Glühwein, crowds and overpriced souvenirs I wouldn't go there on my own, although the Christmas market in Trier in and of itself is quite nice. And when it comes to the internationalization of foods and snacks on Christmas markets: Ours had a churros stand when I was there a couple of years ago... 😁 Happy remainder of the Advent - and we had a lot of it this year. This year we had the longest possible advent time, and next year will be the shortest possible advent time, with the 24th being the 4th advent. 😉
Hi friend! I had noticed that the advent season seemed quite long this year! I’ve loved it - it makes this season even better. Yeah I noticed in Salzburg there were so many foods and items being sold that weren’t authentic at all, even cheap stuff made in China. I thought that sad - I don’t go to Salzburg to get stuff made in China! Some of the things were authentic, though. But it just felt a bit cheap.
@@MyMerryMessyGermanLife shortest it can be is 1st advent being on the 3rd december -> 4th advent on 24th of december. it feels weird to open Adventskalender in these years before Advent even started
The later in the day the more crowded the Christmas markets get as most people want to see the lights and enjoy some Glühwein. Here in Hamburg the main market is to be avoided after 3pm!
I wish you all a very nice Adventtime and coming up Christmas! ♥ The first moments of the vid reminded me when I was very young, why kids like to eat snow? Hugz and kisses from Thuringia. ♥
The cities require the shop operators to reduce the amount of waste. Therefore, disposable cups are no longer allowed. The ceramic mugs can either be returned, then you get your deposit back and the cups can be washed normally. Or you can keep these mugs as souvenirs. If you buy at Christmas markets, see if you buy handicrafts from Germany or just cheap Chinese goods. There are beautiful hand-carved figures from Germany, but also cheap hand-waving cats.
THANK YOU, Sara ! Thank you for what ? For 15 amusing minutes, which let me forget my own illness, also a flu which brought me down for a few days. Following your Insta posts, today I hoped to see some pics of my hometown Passau (I live 20 minutes away by car). But life often passes not like expected.
Our local Christmas markets and the ones in Vienna which aren’t near major tourist attractions are much less crowded and more enjoyable! The worst crowded markets I ever visited was in Colmar, it was crazy packed! Since you’ve been there you know how narrow and crowded the streets are on a regular day, now imagine about 100x more people plus all the little stands at Christmas time. Absolutely insane!! Stay healthy, we also had the flu go through our house. This year is crazy for viruses isn’t it?
Christmas markets tend to be packed in the evening. In my city there was one last year, and even with all those measures taken due to covid it was pretty full. This year I only went during the day, when it is a little bit crowded due to Christmas looming, but not overly full. But frankly, there isn't really that much of a need to go to the big ones. While naturally some Christmas markets have some sort of special attraction, in terms of what you can buy and eat, they are all pretty much the same. basically you can't go wrong no matter which one you pick.
Okay that’s what we were thinking! Why go to the big famous ones if the smaller ones are less crowded and basically have the same foods? I was surprised that the one in Salzburg didn’t have any special attractions or rides.
@@MyMerryMessyGermanLife In Hamburg I would not go to the big christmas markets either (town hall, Mönckebergstraße, Gerhard-Hauptmann-Platz), because they are too packed and you cannot enjoy your bag of Schmalzgebäck (lard cake) in this crush. I always go to a smaller christmas market (Wandsbeker Winterzauber), it is more pleasant there and there's more space. It is the same on all famous christmas markets in Germany (for example Nürnberg's "Christkindl Markt or Dresden's "Striezelmarkt"): Every day a hundred coaches unload their people there and you can't move one meter...
@@MyMerryMessyGermanLife I live in the ruhr area, hence I have pretty much the pick between the longest Christmas Market (Duisburg), the one with the biggest tree (Dortmund), the one which also has the Lichterwochen (Essen), the one which is run over by Tourists from the Netherlands (Düsseldorf - not Ruhr Area, but close enough), but when I was a child, my parents always took me to a smaller one nearby which had a fun attraction for kids. It's not about going to the biggest or the most famous one, but to the one which most suits your needs. And naturally it is always great to go in your own home town, because you are bound to just run into people you know.
Here in Vienna we have a lot of different kind of markets and if you avoid the large ones you still can enjoy them thouroughly. I am missing that anyone ate a langos or maroni ? That is a must.
Not sure if you are near Garmisch, but probably you have heard of the open air museum Glentleitn? If not, it is soo nice to go with kids and in winter they have a very scenic Christmas market. It had to be suspended this year but you can keep that on your agenda for next year (and in the summer go there to have fun or enjoy one of the special events like concerts etc.).
The popular Christmas markets are always crowded because of the tourists. So, better don't go to Nürnberg / Nuremberg. Here, where I live, there are two quite gig markets, who are not so massive packed. These are the Christmas markets of Wernau and Esslingen. The bigger one is Esslingen. Beautiful in a wonderful Altstadt. To be precise, this Christmas market is two markets. The normal market and at the same time a few steps away the medieval Christmas market. Greetings to your relatives. Really nice people. It was a real pleasure to see them.
We were this year also finally again on the Christmas market and it was very nice and many people again there. But... unfortunately, the prices have risen extremely and that was a disillusionment. It is most beautiful when it is already dark. Then you can see much more of the illuminations. BTW: If you're ever at a Christmas market that has "Scandinavian winter ham," try it! It is so delicious! Even if this year very expensive and for that only half the portion of what I got 2 years ago. Frohe Weihnachten und einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!
