The World of Christmas Markets!

The week of thanksgiving starts advent and amazing world of Christmas marketing.  There are markets everywhere no matter how big or small the village.  Most markets will last all 4 weeks, and some even go through the New Year.  However, some are only open on 1 or 2 weekends and so you have to plan to get to those if you are wanting to experience them. I have put together a little rating scale to demonstrate how much or little we enjoyed each market!

Our first Christmas market was in Johanneskreuz in the Forest.  I had heard about this from a fellow army friend, who is German, and was my Doula back in Ft. Sill.  She said this was her family’s favorite market and it happened to be 15 minutes from our village! So we went with our friends Shane and Linda (aka my soul sister).  It was interesting getting there because while it was so close, the website said parking was limited. 

We went to Trippstadt, parked, and took a local bus to the market and got there before dusk.  We walked around, had some Gluhwein, and checked out all the small art booths.  I have loved Gluhwein, or spiced wine, since our time in Washington at the Christmas market in Leavenworth.  Since then, I make it every thanksgiving and Christmas, because well, we just love it.  This was our first time getting to experience true German gluhwein, and the famous Dampnudln! This thing is amazing.  It’s a yeast like roll, salty and crisp on the bottom, and has vanilla sauce in the middle! Um, yes unique and brilliant all wrapped into one fantastic roll. 

Damfnudln

Curry Wurst! YUM

 Kaiserslautern Glühwein

 Wine, sugar, liquor, fire

Jag Office Christmas Party 

It was also the season of holiday parties! We were fortunate to get to go to the JAG party and CID party that evening! We seriously love the holidays and Christmas time! 

Ryan's CID Christmas Party 

Woodland Christmas Market 

Hot Cocoa!

This market was so beautiful set in the rustic wooded setting, with lights strung all around, evergreen trees, wooden booths, yummy food, torches lit all around, and Christmas lights and décor.  Its only 1 weekend out of the year, so definitely hit this market up!  For more info you can go to this link!

http://www.weihnachtsmarkt-deutschland.de/trippstadt-johanniskreuz-weihnachtsmarkt.html

**** 1-10 Christmas Market Score:
Johanneskreuz Market Score: 8.5.  Great location near KMC, easy to find, torch lit, great atmosphere, decent amount of food, wine, and art booths, fun for a weekend hangout with friends, bonfires, romantic, and different than most markets.

We also hit up the Kaiserslautern Christmas market, which was small, but still has some charm.

**** 1-10 Christmas Market Score:
Kaiserslautern Market Score: 5.  Small, centered in downtown area near shops, limited food and wine stands, limited art booths, great location and in KMC area, fun for a week night to hang with friends, but lacks in atmosphere and what it has to offer compared to other markets 

More on Christmas markets in future posts! Ryan's parents came to visit and we had our fill of some Markets during their trip!