Christmas Markets - What do you love best about them?
Dec 5th, 2006, 04:11 AM
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Christmas Markets - What do you love best about them?
After the first of the year, I plan on talking to a lot of people, churches, groups and organizations about starting a version of a Christmas Market in our town. I've got a bunch of ideas, but having never been to a Christmas Market myself, I'm sure there are a lot of things that I haven't thought about.
My daughter lives in the Netherlands and loves going and has told me a bit about the one she's been to, but I'd love some other input.
So..... What do you love the most about Christmas Markets?
My daughter lives in the Netherlands and loves going and has told me a bit about the one she's been to, but I'd love some other input.
So..... What do you love the most about Christmas Markets?
Dec 5th, 2006, 04:37 AM
#4
Likes:
-The smell of spices
-The lights and candles
-The music (live or recorded)
-Creative ideas that you haven't seen before
-crisp dry weather
-free tidbits to taste
-Gluhwein (as above)
-quality items for reasonable prices
Dislikes:
-stands that you see at every festival that have nothing to do with Christmas
-crowds
-cold feet
-lack of quality in items
-lack of variety
-overpriced goods
-impersonal service
-The smell of spices
-The lights and candles
-The music (live or recorded)
-Creative ideas that you haven't seen before
-crisp dry weather
-free tidbits to taste
-Gluhwein (as above)
-quality items for reasonable prices
Dislikes:
-stands that you see at every festival that have nothing to do with Christmas
-crowds
-cold feet
-lack of quality in items
-lack of variety
-overpriced goods
-impersonal service
Dec 5th, 2006, 05:52 AM
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In addition to Shuler's points, the feeling that the stalls themselves (not just what's on sale, though that's essential) are dedicated to Christmas - and have a permanent feel to them
In a good Christmas market, practically nothing should evoke markets you can visit the rest of the year. Since canned Christmas music is ubiquitous elsewhere, live music - brass bands, choristers, bells, anything - is essential.
And you need a sense of excitement among the shoppers.
I live in a country where there are a lot of ersatz Christmas markets at this time of the year. They all leave a sour taste after Nuremburg.
In a good Christmas market, practically nothing should evoke markets you can visit the rest of the year. Since canned Christmas music is ubiquitous elsewhere, live music - brass bands, choristers, bells, anything - is essential.
And you need a sense of excitement among the shoppers.
I live in a country where there are a lot of ersatz Christmas markets at this time of the year. They all leave a sour taste after Nuremburg.
Dec 5th, 2006, 06:11 AM
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Chicago has a good authentic Christmas Market that runs from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. The market is a partner to the one in Nuremberg Germany. Most of the stalls are actual german vendors and the food is also authentic. It is a good time although very crowded. If you can get to Chicago, check it out, good luck with your plans!! www.christkindlmarket.com
Dec 5th, 2006, 06:14 AM
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If it's indoors, it's not a Christmas market and you've made your first destructive compromise.
Before you know where you are, you'll be selling Balinese chimes and playing the Phil Spector Christmas LP.
Is your weather really trickier than Helsinki's?
Before you know where you are, you'll be selling Balinese chimes and playing the Phil Spector Christmas LP.
Is your weather really trickier than Helsinki's?
Dec 5th, 2006, 06:42 AM
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flanneruk - I have no idea what the weather is like in Helsinki, so I can't compare it to here. I know that we have more severe weather than the UK and other parts of Europe. Plus, we are right on a large bay off Lake Michigan and can get a lot of lake effect snow. I'm looking at doing a 'spin' on European Christmas markets, not an exact replica.
Dec 5th, 2006, 06:45 AM
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"Is your weather really trickier than Helsinki's?"
Anyone who's been to Chicago in late fall/early winter or who happened to travel in or around Chicago last week knows the answer to that question is definitely...YES.
In Helsinki, in December, the weather isn't near 70(F) degrees one day and 20 degrees the next, with the changeover accompanied by high winds, snow, ice, rain, lightning and thunder all mixed together.
Moreover, Chicago's market is located in a square partially hemmed in by high rises which can have a weird wind tunnel effect when conditions are just right (or wrong). It's still a very nice market, nonetheless, and just as good as the one in Aachen, Germany, for example.
Back to the original question, we're not that big on gluhwein. My husband loves gruenkohl, esp. from the market in Muenster.
Nuremberg's market is impressive, but our favorites are in small to midsize German towns that are off the tourist radar and serve as a gathering /socializing/shopping point for the locals. Muenster's market scored on all three points and yes, they had live music and high quality items for sale, most made locally. The market in Hattingen, Germany, near Dusseldorf was also delightful.
We love the atmosphere, the decorations, the fresh snowfall (if we're lucky), the smell of freshly roasted sugared almonds, the music, and all that goes with it.
Anyone who's been to Chicago in late fall/early winter or who happened to travel in or around Chicago last week knows the answer to that question is definitely...YES.
In Helsinki, in December, the weather isn't near 70(F) degrees one day and 20 degrees the next, with the changeover accompanied by high winds, snow, ice, rain, lightning and thunder all mixed together.
Moreover, Chicago's market is located in a square partially hemmed in by high rises which can have a weird wind tunnel effect when conditions are just right (or wrong). It's still a very nice market, nonetheless, and just as good as the one in Aachen, Germany, for example.
Back to the original question, we're not that big on gluhwein. My husband loves gruenkohl, esp. from the market in Muenster.
Nuremberg's market is impressive, but our favorites are in small to midsize German towns that are off the tourist radar and serve as a gathering /socializing/shopping point for the locals. Muenster's market scored on all three points and yes, they had live music and high quality items for sale, most made locally. The market in Hattingen, Germany, near Dusseldorf was also delightful.
We love the atmosphere, the decorations, the fresh snowfall (if we're lucky), the smell of freshly roasted sugared almonds, the music, and all that goes with it.
Dec 5th, 2006, 07:51 AM
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Ditto about the gluhwein and the charm. I have been to markets in Rotterdam, Salzburg and Copenhagen.
Salzburg had the best, it really felt like an old world Christmas. In fact that thought was was got me started on a trip this year to see the Christmas markets in Munich but the plans chaged to Thanksgiving in Paris.
Salzburg had the best, it really felt like an old world Christmas. In fact that thought was was got me started on a trip this year to see the Christmas markets in Munich but the plans chaged to Thanksgiving in Paris.
Dec 5th, 2006, 05:45 PM
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The best Christmas market I have ever been to is the one in Naples. There are hand carved painted creche scenes and little figurines of the navitity and angels.
See if you can get some people who carve and can give a demonstration.
And have hot cider!!
See if you can get some people who carve and can give a demonstration.
And have hot cider!!
Dec 5th, 2006, 08:18 PM
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I think it would be hard to replicate the magic of a Christmas Market like Nuremburg. I went to it when I was about 11. I still vividly remember the bitter cold, buying a blood orange (quite exciting!) seeing the booths with ornaments, eating steaming gulash soup and buying a doll in a nearby toy store.
I think to replicate it you'd need a pedestrian only area in a downtown so that it wasn't just some booths, but also was part of the commerce of your city (temporarily.)
And it simply must be outside.
I think to replicate it you'd need a pedestrian only area in a downtown so that it wasn't just some booths, but also was part of the commerce of your city (temporarily.)
And it simply must be outside.
Dec 6th, 2006, 05:59 AM
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The climate here would not allow for many events to be outside. Snow can be heavy, winds can be strong, and the temps can be in the 20's or 30's.
Let me reiterate, I am not looking to exactly replicate a European Christmas market, but I would like to incorporate some parts of it. For one thing, I am wanting to do it during the month of November when tourist traffic is low, and when there are a lot of Christmas craft shows put on my schools, churches and organizations. There are also other events going on and I want to approach galleries and local merchants about doing something special of their choice during the time period.
Let me reiterate, I am not looking to exactly replicate a European Christmas market, but I would like to incorporate some parts of it. For one thing, I am wanting to do it during the month of November when tourist traffic is low, and when there are a lot of Christmas craft shows put on my schools, churches and organizations. There are also other events going on and I want to approach galleries and local merchants about doing something special of their choice during the time period.
