News Archive
Posted 11/12/13
Why the Germans can't get enough of English Christmas Markets
It will probably surprise you to know that whilst we the Brits have a love for German Christmas markets the Germans are fighting back and can't get enough of our English Christmas markets.
A Christmas Markets short break is becoming a must-do festive trip. Hundreds of people book excursions from November onwards to Germany where their picturesque towns and cities make way for the now famous Weihnachtsmarkt.
Picture it, a sweet smell of mulled wine and scrumptious roast chestnuts lingers in the air, the sound of Christmas music everywhere, brightly coloured wooden stalls display their wares and everyone's face is aglow. Christmas markets are brimming with quaint and wonderful souvenirs with hand-blown and colourful painted baubles, festive decorations, hats and scarves, slippers, knitwear, ornaments, unusual candles, leather goods, unusual jewellery not to mention the tasty food stalls to tempt you as you go around. Delicious German sausages or chips with mayonnaise, roasted and sugared Almonds (Gebrante Mandeln) waffles with fresh cream and pancakes with chocolate – there's so much to choose from.
So popular are these markets that Germans now come over with their wares to our major cities and towns in an attempt to recreate 'the atmosphere' in England and join in our Christmas markets. Birmingham, Leeds, York, Winchester, Bath, Newcastle, Barnsley and even as far north as Aberdeen (where I suppose they exchange Rum in the Hot chocolate with Whisky) all now make a varied attempt to capture the special atmosphere and spirit.
It would appear however that as a a result of this success and once the word really gets around, we need to prepare in a big way for masses of Germans arriving in England around the beginning of December to do their Christmas shopping in search of a bargain ot two, not from their German stalls but from the English traders on these markets.
Merry Christmas !
