Germany Christmas Market Wrap-Up

Two years ago I had never heard of a Christmas Market. A high school friend of mine posted pictures during one of her many travels abroad for work in the military. She and her kids were smiling in an idyllic European village decked out for the holidays and the caption read, "Christmas Market."

Fast forward to this September. I get a screenshot from my old boss. Her German friend is looking for a house-sitter over the holidays. Visions of Christmas Markets dance through my head.

My hairdresser had also been to Germany over the holidays. She told me about Glühwein. Glühwein is a warm mulled wine with Christmas spices.

The Christmas Market is like a fancy farmer's market. Booths for shopping, eating, and drinking are decked out for Christmas with garland and lights. Some are actual wooden tiny houses, and some are tents. Each market has at least one carnival ride, either a ferris wheel, carousel, or a little train for kids. There are standing tables spread out for friends and families to gather. There are some covered areas with tables.

I visited markets in five different cities. The food stalls were all similar; although some markets had more variety. Bratwurts, candied nuts, potatoes, little pizzas, bread bowls, chocolate covered fruits, hot donuts, little pizzas, macaroni and cheese, corn dogs, and crepes are a few examples.

The flea and crafts were the same, but with slight varieties at the different markets. I saw wood art, knit caps, teddy bears, soaps, snow globes, and Christmas ornaments. My favorite were these lit paper stars. I didn't buy any goods at any of the markets.

At the first market I visited in Berlin, I ordered a 1/2 meter bratwurst ($9.43). At another Berlin market I got three large cinnamon and sugar donut holes ($3.54) and those were definitely the best donuts I've ever had in my life. Which is saying a lot, because I've sampled lots of donuts and they didn't even have frosting or filling.

Dave and I took an elaborate system of trains (an hour and 1/2 each way) to the Ludwigsburg Baroque Christmas Market on Sunday night. That market was huge and crowded. It was too busy to appreciate the baroque. Dave and I tried bratwurst ($8.25), a waffle with vanilla sauce ($5.31), mac-n-cheese ($8.25), and a corn dog ($8.25). I'm glad I tried these foods, because it's part of the experience, but they were not worth the money.

Monday I took a less elaborate but still long system of trains to the Esslingen Medieval Christmas Market. This was the best market by far. Esslingen is an adorable town with cobble stone streets and half-timbered houses. The market was large and spread out enough that it wasn't too crowded. They also sold orange and apple wine in addition to the regular mulled wine.

In Esslingen I tried the hot candied nuts. Every market had these nuts. I looked at each booth trying to discern if one was better than the others, but they all looked exactly the same. I approached the nut stand armed with Google translate. A worker gave me a sample of a delicious nut. Good enough, I thought. I ordered a small.

Tuesday Dave and I visited the Stuttgart Christmas Market on its last day of the season. It was also a large sprawling market. I only spent enough time there to try the Glühwein. It was definitely not worth the $6.50. I don't even booze anymore, but I wanted to try it for the experience. Not for me.

The Christmas Markets are closed for the season. It was a great experience, but one I don't need again. Maybe if I drank wine?