topic Re: Christmas markets experiences in Off-Topic

Christmas markets experiences

EmilieT — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 08:32:57 GMT

Hi everyone,

One thing I love about this season are all the Christmas markets popping up all over. They're so heartwarming, and between the smells, the delicious snacks and either the crafts stands or the fun activities to do, they're so delightful to stroll through

I've been to a couple, but here are a few of the ones I've loved visiting over the years:

Winter Wonderland, London.

Edinburgh Christmas Market

I've also been to the ones in Brussels, Caerphilly, Cardiff, and all over London ... but couldn't find any (good) pictures from my visits there unfortunately.

Do you guys like Christmas markets? Is there one near you you like to visit?

I'm looking forward to hearing more about your experiences, and don't hesitate to share some pictures!

Re: Christmas markets experiences

TallTrees — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 09:06:37 GMT

Hi @EmilieT

I have been to the xmas market in our main town.

This is a photo ~

Re: Christmas markets experiences

viridis — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 09:24:55 GMT

go to the black country museums Victorian Christmas night, which is like a market/experience thing.
Quite nice time actually, Victorian fairground rides, carolers, and lots of the old shops and buildings open.

Much prefer this than the usual "come eat some German sausage and buy a wooden decoration" kind of market.

Re: Christmas markets experiences

Cleoriff — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 09:32:41 GMT

@EmilieT

I have been to Birmingham Christmas market in the past. Very big and bustling.

Our local area has a council who are determined to be the Christmas Grinch.

We used to have a lovely Victorian Night market in town at the time the Christmas lights were switched on. However, that fell by the wayside when the council got greedy and put up the prices for the stall holders.

So no Victorian nights. We are told it will make a return next year to celebrate the 200th birthday of author George Eliot.

There was also a special market on Christmas Eve. Again the council have raised the prices for the stall holders so I doubt that will take place this year.

Re: Christmas markets experiences

pgn — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 09:58:13 GMT

Having spent the best part of this week in Northern Germany, we had a chance to wander through a couple of the traditional Weihnachtsmärkte - I think hot cherry punch with rum, and Heidelbeere-saft mit Wodka are the favourites for keeping the cold at bay. And frisch-gebackene Muzen, with a light dusting of icing sugar to accompany... 🤤

Re: Christmas markets experiences

viridis — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 09:52:25 GMT

The missus went to one of the proper German Christmas markets a few years back, loved it, and how the area looked like something straight off a Christmas card.

Re: Christmas markets experiences

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 10:07:39 GMT

Ugh.. overcrowded public spaces with annoying brats clattering into old people, all vying for seasonal items at overinflated prices..

Good luck with that

Re: Christmas markets experiences

jonsie — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 16:17:20 GMT

We used to go to the Manchester market until it just became a showcase for all that was German.

We went to the Christmas market in Berlin which was brilliant. It was snowing and as well as the fair, there was a big Ice skating rink which as packed with locals stumbling around. Plenty of watering holes with toe-warming drinks and what passed for hotdogs! I tried to look like i was enjoying it but i was glad when we got to the local bar in Wedding!

Re: Christmas markets experiences

welshsteve76 — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 13:32:24 GMT

I've never made a point og going to one specifically, but the one in Birmingham my son and I walked through on our way to a Black Sabbath concert a few years ago and it was lovely. The smells alone are amazing.

Re: Christmas markets experiences

Marjo — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 16:46:06 GMT

I've been to the Christmas Market in the old town part of Stockholm, Sweden. I don't particularly enjoy walking around in the crowd during dark and snowy winter evenings but this one was still lovely with the red stalls and nice food, drink and cozy atmosphere.

I've been to the Winter Wonderland in London a couple of times, mostly staying at the mulled wine section rather than the different amusement rides. Might go this time too if @EmilieT is still interested in accompanying me! I'm not sure if it's still going to be open in January though.

Re: Christmas markets experiences

pgn — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 17:56:42 GMT

Here's what those sweet "Muzen" or "Mützen", looked like - tasty, doughy, hot and sweet.

And these were Baumstriezel were a first, we tried the cheese and bacon savoury ones, really yummy:

Re: Christmas markets experiences

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 21:52:14 GMT

Otley Christmas market on an evening was very memorable ... very busy & we were told that if we got lost to go stand by the clock ... got my 1st taste of roasted sweet chestnuts = luvved it

My town of Skipton has 2 Christmas markets the 1st two Sunday's in December ... I used to go but it is all the same now & the council hike up the stall rents ... these last few years a farmers market has been down the canal basin & is interesting

Re: Christmas markets experiences

EmilieT — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 12:53:27 GMT

All those photos and talk of food make me feel both hungry and very much in a festive mood, thanks everyone! I've only had a chance to go to Winter Wonderland this year, but fingers crossed over this week and next I'll go stroll through a few others ... if any of you do, keep on sharing pictures they\ve all been so lovely!

@Marjo The offer still stands, winter Wonderland is open until January 6th so we have some time left

Re: Christmas markets experiences

welshsteve76 — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 10:11:40 GMT

@pgnI really want to eat those dougnut things, they look delish!!

Re: Christmas markets experiences

pgn — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 14:55:34 GMT

Thought I'd share this little piece I wrote about 7 years ago, on the back of a delightful festive fruit punch we found at a market in Germany one icy winter, appropriate as I have just finished putting one of these on to simmer, now that older family members have returned from far-flung places for the holidays:

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It's that time of the year again - Dining on-the-hoof

On an icy Christmas trip to the Lion City of Braunschweig in Germany a few years ago, we encountered something that can only be described as Yule Fuel, a very effective antidote to the sub-zero temperatures common in continental Europe around that time of year.

After wandering the many stalls of our third Weihnachtsmarkt in 3 days, we were, it has to be said, well and truly numb in parts that even the Glühwein had difficulty reaching. Flitting past the many interesting items on display in stalls en-route from the Jagd (hunters) food stall to the next stall selling any variety of food, and thus providing free access to a source of heat, we skidded to a stop at one stall selling something I had only previously encountered in Ikea: Köttbullar. Whilst waiting our turn to order a portion of these, our gaze fell upon a bubbling vat of something described on the stall menu as "Nordseelichter", sold with or without "Schuss", a fairly substantial dollop of either vodka or rum...

Further investigation revealed the vat to contain a mixture of predominantly cranberry, blueberry and apple juices, which, when mixed with a dollop of a sticky, nutty syrup from an adjacent pan and served up with a shot of the rum, was the most effective antidote I have found to-date for the extremity-numbing cold (even through a substantial pair of C&A's longjohns!) typical of any Christmas Market it has been my pleasure to visit. Over the next hour, one portion of Köttbullar and two substantial "Northern Lights" later, we happily tottered around the rest of the market oblivious to any of the effects normally associated with sub-zero conditions.

Since then I have tried to replicate that cockle-warming recipe - and provide here the results of my research, for your delectation should we start to experience the Arctic conditions that spread across the UK over the Christmas and New Year periods past: Enjoy!

In a large pot, preferably with a lid, mix:

1 x 1l carton of Cranberry juice
1 x 1l carton of Apple juice
0.5l of red grape juice
6 cloves
4 cinnamon sticks (approx 5cm long each stick)
250g of fresh cranberries, if you can find them,
3 thickly-cut slices of lemon, peel-on;
one green apple, cut into 5 or so thick rings (cored if you wish)
1 to 2 tablespoons dark Muscovado sugar, according to taste.

Bring all to the boil, then simmer for 30mins before removing the lemon slices.

Leave to simmer for a further hour or so (this concoction will gladly sit simmering all day so long as you don't let the pot boil dry, and remember to top it up with the juices described above occasionally) and then serve up in warmed cups or mugs.

For the adults, a shot of vodka, rum or brandy added to your portion will help to melt the effect of any outdoor activity undertaken in snowy conditions. Served without the alcohol, it is also a favourite of the younger mouths in our family, and it suffuses the kitchen with heavenly aromas of Christmas spices...

Originally (c) pgn0 20-Nov-2011 on Ciao.co.uk, originally published in Ciao Cafe 01-Jan-2010

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I hope you all have a peaceful Christmas, perhaps with a pot of "Nordseelichter" on the go. Remember, kiddies - Never Drink and Drive, so no tottering about on the golf course after a mug of the enhanced version of this...

Re: Christmas markets experiences

Cleoriff — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 15:33:11 GMT

That sounds wonderful @pgn

We wont be having many family here for Christmas as we are dining out....but I have to say I would enjoy that with the vodka added

PS.... I accessed your web archive. Good to see you there... although you look as if you are on a summer holiday as opposed to shivering in the cold in Germany

Re: Christmas markets experiences

pgn — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 16:00:10 GMT

@Cleoriff wrote:
That sounds wonderful @pgn
We wont be having many family here for Christmas as we are dining out....but I have to say I would enjoy that with the vodka added

PS.... I accessed your web archive. Good to see you there... although you look as if you are on a summer holiday as opposed to shivering in the cold in Germany

I wondered if anyone would click on that... Yes, the snap was from one of the photos from a beach holiday in Spain one summer, far far away from the time and place of the Weihnachtsmärkten in Germany.

My other half's preference is for it served with a shot of vodka in it, so much so that this year, we had to do a quick reconnaissance trip around the markets we visited to spot the places we would break for food and/or refreshment at... Could've done with one of those camera drones that have been plaguing Crawley, come to think of it... 🤔