Growing up I believed in Santa Clause or at least the Russian version called "Dyed Moroz" (Uncle/Grandpa Frost). I always thought that Santa Clause was strictly an American creation. Growing up we sang carols, went to church, and saw the bright lights. When we were still deciding to go to Germany, my wife remarked on how famous European Christmas markets are and especially the German ones. The descriptions she gave me excited me. I was very much looking forward to it. Unlike in the US though Christmas is truly a time of year and not a two day holiday. Yes I understand that in the US there is a Christmas season, but it pales in comparison to how these Europeans celebrate Christmas. Cities light up with decorations, advertisements everywhere, special Christmas candies in stores all serve as a introduction to the Christmas season. And finally almost every city erects their own Christmas market. Which is basically a large amount of booths serving all sort of food, drinks, and crafts. It runs rather long, from Nov just up until Christmas Eve. But it is a wonderful experience. Seeing lots of people gathered near the Gluewhein stand, kids riding the carousal, and of course the smell of bratwurst in the air. A very memorable experience at that. We we fortunate to attend Heidelberg's Christmas market several times, as well as the famous Nuremburg Christkindmarkt (Christ child market), and the ones in Rothenburg ob die Taube and Stuttgart.
Nuremburg Christkindsmarkt
The Original Feuerzangen-Bowle (Flamed Gluewein with Rum)
Of course Lebkuchen (Gingerbread)
The different handmade crafts and ornaments for sale.
The Kinder Christkindsmarkt
Rothenburg ob die Taube
Heidelberg Weihnachtsmarkt
The famous Gluewein stand
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