Frohe Weihnachten! (Merry Christmas from Germany)

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

12/24/2008 03:34:57 PM · #1

Christmas markets are the big holiday thing in Germany. The larger cities have markets that run from the 1st of December through the 23rd. Smaller cities, like mine, may only have a week, or a weekend. The Christmas markets are set up in the pedestrian areas of the city/town, with vendors selling food, drink, toys, clothes, ornaments and decorations, you name it - it's probably there. The big draw, of course, is the food and drink - at Christmas the drink is predominantly GlÃ¼hwein - hot spiced wine. Very popular.

I visited the Christmas markets in Wiesbaden, Mainz, RÃ¼desheim, and Frankfurt, with a quick 30 minute pass through the one in NÃ¼rnberg (there on business, had half an hour before the train back).

In Wiesbaden, the market is called "Sternschuppenmarkt" - Falling Stars Market. The first year I was in Germany, it had just opened, so I've now been twice (last year I was in sunny Iraq for Christmas). The market setup remains very similar from year to year, with the same vendors in the same places for the most part.

And a better view of the tree, which is as tall as the building.

And the ferris wheel by Karstadt (a TRUE department store - if only the US would pick back up on those):

Mainz was the site of my Stars challenge entry...

...which really looks like this:

The markets do get rather crowded, particularly on weekends and in the evenings. First two are Mainz, last one is Frankfurt. You'll also note that the weather was most uncooperative for most of my visits, being either completely dark due to it being night, or mostly dark due to heavy cloud cover and dull gray winter days.

Some of the stuff you can buy:

And of course the food and beverage stands. The GlÃ¼hwein shot is for my Team Germany teammates... :-)

Each town had a manger display, most with life-sized figures. The first one here is from Mainz, and the tourist shot of the tourist features the RÃ¼desheim manger in the background.

And the merchants and towns really do a great job of decorating. 'Tis a lovely place to spend Christmas.

.........

Message edited by author 2008-12-24 16:06:39.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

12/24/2008 03:39:39 PM · #2

What a lovely journey you've taken us on, Deb! Makes me nostalgic for the European Christmases I experienced as a child, all of 50 years ago and still vividly remembered.

Merry Christmas to you, too! Hop a plane NOW and share some roast with me tonight?

R.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/24/2008 03:53:22 PM · #3

Heh! Love to, Robert, and I do so love your cooking and company! But probably not likely, so instead I'll offer a virtual hug and a Merry Christmas!

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

12/24/2008 04:04:39 PM · #4

Thanks for sharing these! I like them all, and the Sisters shot (in the portfolio) is very special.

Message edited by author 2008-12-24 16:05:39.

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

12/24/2008 04:05:53 PM · #5

Originally posted by Melethia:

...the market is called "Sternshuppenmarkt" - Falling Stars Market.

"Sternschnuppenmarkt"-Yes, Falling- or Shooting-Stars-Market.

12/24/2008 04:08:55 PM · #6

Originally posted by zeuszen:

Originally posted by Melethia:
...the market is called "Sternshuppenmarkt" - Falling Stars Market.

"Sternschnuppenmarkt"-Yes, Falling- or Shooting-Stars-Market.

Fixed the the typo. :-)

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/24/2008 04:11:36 PM · #7

Once again, Deb, thanks for refreshing a lot fond memories of the first 20 years of my life :-)

I am tickled pink today here in Seattle, since we actually have a decent amount of snow and it has been snowing like crazy all morning.

It is all due to melt soon, but at least my family got to experience this.

Froehliche Weihnachten!

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

12/25/2008 01:38:52 AM · #8

Kein Schnee hier - in fact we have a prediction of sunshine for the next few days! Enjoy the snow for Christmas!

tamatama

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

12/25/2008 03:30:27 AM · #9

Lovely pictures, the whole set!
Actually I didn't miss all the Christmas craziness at all here in no-Christmas-Japan, but looking at your pictures is making me a bit homesick :)

IreneM

Nikon D700

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

12/25/2008 05:01:42 AM · #10

Hi Deb, I've really, really enjoyed looking at your pictures. Thanks for posting them and a very merry Christmas to you and everyone else here at dpc.
(((Hugs))) all round!
Irene

BarbB

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/4.0L IS USM Lens

12/25/2008 07:31:36 AM · #11

Thanks for sharing Deb. These are beautiful. I have a problem with relating to snow, but it is an association that I have made with X'mas for so many years (because of the commercial marketing), and you have inspired me to tick the White X'mas wish on my life's 'gunna list' again....so maybe next year?

It is towards the end of X'mas day in Oz, and not a snowflake in sight, but a beautiful day for me. I have enjoyed the company of beautiful, and special friends and family, and my feet hurt from cooking. It's probably the extra five pounds that I've put on. :D

......and as Irene says ...a very merry Christmas to you and everyone else here at dpc.
(((Hugs))) all round!

Cheers and Best Wishes

Barb

TrollMan

Fujifilm X-T4

Fujifilm XF 35mm f/1.4

12/25/2008 07:54:45 AM · #12

You have so many excellent pictures Deb. Hope to see many more!
Have a great Christmas!

Germaine

Canon EOS-7D Mark II

12/25/2008 08:57:52 AM · #13

Great set of pictures and commentary. Thanks for sharing.

Feliz Navidad from SB.

Balko

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/25/2008 11:15:15 AM · #14

What a wonderful journey! I keep hearing about them from my mother who grew up in Vienna and she always talks about taking a December trip to Germany / Austria specifically for those Christkindl markets :)