I know, I know; some of you will think that it’s still *way* too early to be talking about this. But the sad truth is, Christmas is now just around the corner. Well, Christmas market season, to be exact.
Most of the European Christmas markets start in mid or late November, which really isn’t that far away at all. I personally love extending the Christmas season as long as I can, because after that it’s all dreary grey weather, grumpy moods and slushy snow.
We’re hoping to visit some more Christmas markets again this year (hopefully different to the ones we visited last year), but as now is the time for people to start planning their Christmas market city breaks, I thought I’d bring you a few tips from our experiences last year.
Pack heavy
This goes against everything anyone ever tells you about packing but unfortunately, it’s the only way to keep warm. You will need a warm, thick coat, a thick pair of gloves (preferably mitten style ones or those with cut-off fingers so that you can eat and drink without having to take them off), a scarf, a hat, warm boots or shoes and many layers of clothes. You will most likely need a pair of jeans or thick trousers, as well as wearing a pair of thermals/leggings/tights underneath them and you’ll need to layer T-shirts and vests under your sweater too. I’m not exaggerating on this one – you will be stood outside in the cold for a long time and even with all of these layers you’ll still feel the chill. So you can never pack heavy enough for a night at the markets!
Try and base yourself as close to the markets as possible
This can be more difficult in some cities like Berlin or Vienna, where there are many markets, but ultimately it will save you time and money. Try and locate the market/s on a map before you go and book a hotel or apartment as close to them as possible. In Berlin, we often found ourselves spending an hour changing metro lines to get to specific markets and this not only eats into your time spent at the markets but also the amount of money you have to spend at them!
Walk around as many stalls as possible before making a purchase
It’s tempting to want to jump straight into the festivities and buy gluhwein or a steaming bowl of goulash at the first stall you see, but this might not necessarily be the cheapest or the tastiest. Walk around as many stalls as you can and scope out the prices and the menus before you sink your money into a purchase.
Remember to return your glasses and mugs
Unless you want to take your novelty glasses or mugs home as souvenirs (although be careful of excess baggage if you’re flying low cost!), then you should return all of them to the stand you purchased your drink from in order to get a refund on your deposit. Every Christmas market across Europe charges a deposit for mugs and glasses because they want (and need) them back, and at around €2 every time, this can quickly add up if you forget about it (which can happen when the mulled wine starts flowing). Some markets allow you to take your mugs back to any stall to get a refund, but most want you to return them to the original stall, otherwise they are left with a jumble of mix-match mugs.
Try not to buy gifts you can buy elsewhere
As much as you may want to buy gifts for friends and family back home, you can sometimes fall into the trap of paying a higher price at the markets for something you could easily buy cheaper elsewhere in town. This is particularly true for biscuits, cookies, cakes and food items. These things are usually available for purchase in bakeries and shops in the same town for a cheaper price. Unless you can only buy it at the market or it is a special gift, try and shop around for the best deals.
Avoid weekends where possible
This goes without saying, but weekends are always the busiest times for visitors to the markets. They can get crowded and noisy and you can find yourself pushing through crowds to buy food and drink and then a spot to enjoy them in. If you can, visit markets during the day or on weekdays when the crowds will be fewer. This can also be true for visiting the markets within the first couple of days of them opening.
Find a seat
Many of the markets include temporary indoor bar areas and although these can sometimes be small, they are usually a good place to get warm and try and find a seat. After standing on your feet for a long time in the cold, you’ll be thankful for a space on a wooden bench and might even make a few friends.
Explore the town
Even though you’re there to enjoy the Christmas market, don’t forget to do a bit of sightseeing around the town you are in. Sometimes towns will have separate Christmas lights, displays or nativity scenes and it’s always fun to check out Christmas window displays in the shops, as well as try some local cuisine that isn’t just hot wine and sausages!
Do you have any tips for the Christmas markets you would add based on your own experience? Let me know in the comments!
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