mls46

My husband and I will be traveling to Munich, Germany in the middle of December. We're aiming to also take a few side trips to Austria and Switzerland. Some of our friends and family have been asking that we bring them back a wooden incense smoker or nutcracker from the Christmas Markets. I was wondering if anyone has any idea what the cost of these items are in Munich. I've seen them being sold in the US for between $50-$100 dollars. Will the prices be less in Munich? Or should we expect to pay about the same? I'm just trying to budget for all the Christmas gifts we'll be picking up!

Thanks!

Underhill

For a nutcracker, the price will depend on the size.

Ingo

Agree, totally depends on the size. You can get a nice small one for as little as 15 Euro, I think, the big ones won't be less than maybe 60 Euro.

greg

Are these friends and families you cannot say no? Here are some considerations.

If you are approaching this as a strictly point of sales comparison perhaps including the foreign exchange overhead, then you would probably find them less and in more variety.

You realize that except for the smallest ones, these things are about the size of 1 liter Nalgene bottle or larger especially in boxes, so you would need quite large luggage to house several of these things. Is there a cost implication?

So, study carefully what you can get at home before you go.

If you are going to Salzburg, one of the interesting thing are the painted Christmas eggshells. If you decide to buy them, think about how you take them home without crushing them. You either need a sturdy box with packing material = space, or take a small camping egg carrier.

mls46

Thanks for all of your suggestions/tips. I would be buying the gifts for about 7 people, and would be looking for something on the smaller side. I hadn't heard about the painted eggs, but I do have a camping egg carrier that I can bring.

wanderfrau

You will find all sizes of nutcrackers and smokers. The most important thing is to get one made in Germany. Even though it's sold at a German Christmas market, not all of them are made in Germany.

Does the gift have to be a nutcracker or smoker? There are lots of other wooden Christmas items that are just as beautiful but smaller and easier to take home.

nytraveler

Due to the value of the dollar they are likely to be at least as expensive - and possibly more - in europe - especially since those in europe tend to be more interesting, more detailed and probably better quality.

I assume people will be repaying these for you these items - otherwise this could get VERY expensive - as well as bulky to carry.

amer_can

Xmas ornaments are an idea also. Small, wooden or straw.. The eggs are lovely but fragile..

love_travel_Aus

I really like the egg shell decorations but yes they are fragile.
We have bought two different set of about 14 - one for Christmas and one for Easter - but in each case they were packaged and posted to Australia and took about 5 weeks.
They did arrive in one piece and with a certificate in case of customs questions.
(We were not in a hurry!)
So - if you want to take them with you then be prepared to have good packaging and a bulky parcel.
The price ranged for about 8 euros up to 20 euros each.

We also like the wooden ornaments but try and not buy them for Australia as they then have to be declared to our customs and we worry they will not be OK.
Hopefully this is not a problem for you.
Have a wonderful time!

quokka

Eggs are a decoration for Easter in Germany, not for Christmas, I do not think you will find them in German Christmas markets. I have never seen eggs on a Christmas tree anywhere in Germany in 46 years. Austria/Salzburg seems to be a different story.

Nutcrackers that were really made in the Ore Mountains (the authentic stuff is certified with the Erzgebirge logo) will start around 30-40 € for one the size that could deal with a Hazelnut. Cheaper items should be eyed with suspicion. Depends if your friends care whether it's authentic or not.

love_travel_Aus

Oh yes - we bought them in Salzburg - and Austria is where I saw them at Christmas time - although our first purchase was for Easter.
Not meaning to suggest you look for them in Germany!

Hope you also manage to find some of the lovely wood work from the Erzgebirge region - happy travels.

michaelq

Less than 70 Euros.

Cowboy1968

Christmas markets are not generally known to give you best value for money.
When in Munich, just pop in at the major department stores downtown. All will have a "christmas market" with those items you look for.
If you look for something small but with a renowned value, you could check out the little wooden angels from the Erzgebirge: http://www.wendt-kuehn.de/

greg

I just came back from the Salzburg Christmas market. The Christmas in Salzburg shop has two stalls selling Christmas eggs in addition to their main store. The smaller eggs do fit in camping egg carriers if you trim off the 1/4inch egg end supporters. However, the larger one or one with holly fruit or the beads or anything of thickness glued to the shell are too big for egg carriers. I just kept a larger of the two Gluehwein mugs and placed large eggs in them with tissues for protection. Christmas designs are Santa Claus, snowmen, holly leaves, all kinds of red and gold patterns, etc.

I have not seen Wendt and Kuehn angels at Christmas market stalls. I think it is a high end brand sold mostly at authorized retailers. You can tell a W&K design from the other look likes by the 11 dots (elfpunkt) on their wings. Legal imitations have different number of dots.

greg

I just walked back from the Munich Christmas market. Having just also been to Nuremberg, I would say if one is looking for a nutcracker doll/smoker type of products, Nuremberg was by far the one with most Erzgebirge folk arts (as well as perhaps the best) Lebkuchen. The Marienplatz Christmas market in Munich was much smaller. Nuremberg is 70min by an ICE train from Munich.