No they're not! Germans do not do holiday coke products. But they do Weihnachtsmarkt or the Christmas Market, also known as the time of year I become a widow because I have a domestic partner who likes Gluehwein (mulled wine).
Christmas markets are set up in the pedestrian zones of all major German cities. The 'Furt's is pretty decent and winds itself around the Roemerberg and the Zeil. Little wooden huts selling gingerbread, spiced wine, potato pancakes, etc... beckon the passerby from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and each mini-house is adorned with lights to boot. It really is festive and sort of Grimm-like.
I however, do not think there is a sicker concoction than hot red wine mixed with sugar and random herbs. It gives me gut rot just thinking about it.
The 'Furt opened their market today (each city does it some days before Advent) with the lighting of a central Christmas tree. We are planning to go to Hamburg on Dec. 20 to see their markets, which are on the harbor and situated around a skating rink. It is all very idyllic and Nordic; it makes me reflect on my time spent with the American Girl doll Kirsten Larson. Though not a Swede nor a Lutheran, I dug her dour candle-lit Minnesota holiday celebrations. Like in Germany, the cold and the usual bummer temperament of the people made the holiday effort seem doubly festive.
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3 comments:
I completely agree about mulled wine. It is especially grim when the cauldrons of the crap is lit on fire which is just a little creepy. Enjoy the holiday spirit--in whatever way it catches you. I can't wait to see you back in MN!
Tell your dp not to complain to you when his stomach starts doing back flips from warm wine. Who knows where that wine has been.
I love your comment about Kirsten, as soon as you said it I could picture it too.
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