German Christmas Markets 2017

I look forward to Christmas every year, and for some reason this year's came up even faster than the previous ones. Must mean that I'm getting old. However because this year, I knew that I'd be in Germany for the before-Christmas-festivities, I was even more excited. I had heard so many people, both German and non- saying how amazing the Christmas markets leading up to Christmas were.

One of the vendor stalls at the Christmas market
in Braunschweig. 

Each city pretty much had their own Christmas market. We live in the state of Thuringen and are in close proximity to two other popular cities. We managed to got to the markets in Jena, Weimar, and Erfurt. Jena and Weimar weren't too impressive, but I especially loved the one in Erfurt.

The markets consisted of 3 major components: Glühwein, fried food, and vendor stalls. Glühwein is red wine mixed with a bunch of spices and is particularly popular around Christmas time. It's grown on me more than I'd like to admit. During December, Ben and I ended up drinking it two or three times a week.

Two of the many Glühwein we drank

Something that I loved was how the Christmas markets brought people together. I assumed that Ben and I would visit the major markets near us on the weekends, but we ended up meeting up separately with friends, colleagues and classmates too. Although the market in Jena wasn't the most impressive, I found it really memorable because of the friends we went with.

Some of the markets had an "old" market vs. a "new" market. The old markets were of course more rustic, had cooler cups, and cost more. I didn't notice too much of a difference between the new and old markets other than some different Glühweins that were offered. I do have to admit that I found new favorites.

Ben also managed to take me to the Christmas market in his hometown in Braunschweig. Another beautiful market! I thought the vendor stalls were more impressive and creative than at any of the other markets that we'd visited. Some sold traditional German-made wooden ornaments and candle holders, and some sold homemade Christmas goodies. We even saw a stall of iron woodworking tools made out of chocolate. :-O

I got really psyched to see a specific nut vendor stand. Ben and his family told me how people stood in line for hours waiting to buy the spiced nuts from this particular stand. Of course, I wanted to check it out.

This was only part of the line, but it went all the way to the back of the market and we saw it on a slow day...I think most people were excited to see the guy making the spiced nuts. He stirred them by hand, so his one arm was very muscular and his other arm was more normal sized. It was amusing to see because the line was always at least 50 meters long.

The Christmas markets were really amazing to see, but I think what I liked best was that it gave everyone an excuse to get together and do something, not just on the weekends, but during the week as well-- in the morning, around noon or later at night. Also, of course the food. I am so addicted to Glühwein and Kräppelchen/Schmalzkuchen.

How can little fried pieces of dough
be so yummy???

I figured I had to post this before the new year. Wishing everyone a wonderful start to the new year surrounded by family and friends. :-D