Germany is OBSESSED with Christmas. They start decorating in mid-November, and keep celebrating until Three Kings Day, on January 6th. The word in Germany for Christmas is Weinachten, and the highlight of the Christmas season in Germany is the Weinachtsmarkt. Every German city has these Christmas markets at some point throughout Advent, in the center of town. Some last all of December, some only a few days.
St. Nikolaus in Munich.
The towns around Reutlingen are no exception. Reutlingen itself has a Weinachtsmarkt for a full month before Christmas. Tübingen has a Chocolate Market, only for a weekend, which is quite unfortunate. We’ve gone to three already, in Reutlingen, Munich, and Salzburg (technically not in Germany, but as it’s on the border of Austria and Germany, I feel like it counts.)
Salzburg, all lit up. The lights in the middle of the square next to the big pretty building are where the Christmas market is.
There are a few things at every Weinachtsmarkt. Adorable Christmas ornaments, nativities, wreathes, delightful baked goods, and an overabundance of Glühwine. What is Glühwine exactly? It is a warmed mixture of wine with spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon, more commonly known in the US as mulled wine. I really, really like Glühwine and am very pleased that you can get it everywhere at Christmastime. There are also non-alcoholic versions, for those who don’t wish to imbibe and for the kids. While Glühwine is traditionally made with red wines such as port or claret, Germans sometime will also serve white wine versions.
Hoards of people around a Glühwine stand in Salzburg.
The warm Glühwine is even better enjoyed while strolling around a Christmas market. Germany in general has a far milder climate than the Midwest, but it is also a much more humid climate. It’s the kind of cold that sinks into your bones if you stand still for too long, but doesn’t seem bad at all when you’re moving around. The Glühwine is another excellent technique for combating the chill. The non-alcoholic version even tastes like cider, so you have the classic American fall drink covered!
The square in front of the Munich town hall, all gussied up for Christmas.
Another welcome part of the German holiday celebrations: they drape all of the shops downtown and around the Christmas market in lights. Of course, just like at home, they began decorating well before Thanksgiving, which is highly unnecessary. Then the season of advent came and the streets were delightful. I always give myself from Thanksgiving to New Years to enjoy Christmas, and Germany seems to be on the same page.
Storefront in Munich decorated for Christmas.
So while the weather here seems to avoid freezing, and I have no snow to remind me that it’s December, the Christmas markets sure help. I may go to the Reutlingen one again this weekend. Or to the medieval one in Esslingen. Or to the one in Cologne… so many choices!
Merry Christmas from Germany!
Leave a Reply