Christmas Markets, How I love you!

 Santa Milo and myself on our first ever Christmas together!

I have always been a bit of a big kid and I do love a bit of Christmas, the build up especially. Said build up has been a little different in recent years though mainy due to it being just Milo and I at home. I always felt a little silly making too much of a fuss just for me and Milo obviously couldn't really understand or even get joy from what was going on. On top of it all there was the stress of not being able to afford to buy presents, the question of whether or not the weather would be good enough for us to fly to England (one year we almost didn't make it over after our flight got cancelled due to snow in the UK) and then last year, the day after I packed our bags, I received a phone call with the news that Milo had an inner ear infection and so couldn't fly. No family for Christmas for us that year! I wrote a number of blog posts on the subject last year, you can check em out below:

'Christmas Spirit and Worry'
'Goodbye to Christmas'
'Christmas (ach)IEV(ment)'
'The Ups and Downs of Christmas'

This year everything feels different though. I am so excited about Christmas! With 2 adults at home and Milo being that little bit older, I am much more in to the thought of decorating the apartment a bit, getting a good tree and I have even bought Milo a fab, old fashioned style, wooden house advent calender (you'll see pics of that soon enough) which I plan to fill with cheap but fun goodies for him. Not being alone every evening, having someone to cuddle up to on the dark, cold nights and someone with whom to light the Christmas candles and to celebrate Advent with is so different and I am looking for every single child appropriate Christmas-y event in Berlin that I can find for us to go to. I think 'The Englander' might be worried about what he's gotten himself in to?! ha ha.

At the top of my list is Christmas markets, something Germany is known and loved for. There are a number in Berlin that sprout up and a good few of them will be appearing in the coming weeks so I thought I'd ask friends, Facebook 'liker's' and fellow Tweeter's which are their favourite Berlin Christmas Markets (or Weihnachtsmärkte) and here are a small selection of my favourites and those recommended by others. Check em out and let me know what you think!

39. Alt-Rixdorfer Weihnachtsmarkt 2011
When:
02.12.2011 5pm - 9pm
03.12.2011 2pm - 9pm
04.12.2011 2pm - 8pm
Where: Richardplatz, 12055 Berlin (Neukölln)
Voted #1 by me, I love this little market. It can be found a short distance from where I live at beautiful 'Richardplatz'. The market stalls sell a variety of goods with proceeds going to support charities. Don't expect anything luxurious but a variety of items can be found along with delicious food, live music, amazing atmosphere and of course mulled wine!

Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market
When: 21.11.2011 - 31.12.2011
Where: Gendarmenmarkt, Unter den Linden, Mitte
Posher then the last, this is a market that is widely loved by tourists being that it's located right near Alexanderplatz on Unter den Linden. Don't expect any bargains here but many a German and tourist (or even a touristic German) can be seen making the most of a Bratwurst and cold beer (crazily even in minus temperatures!) at this market!

Spandau Christmas Market
When: 25.11.2011 - 23.12.2011
Mon - Thurs 11am - 8pm
Friday 11am - 9pm
Sat 11am - 10pm
Sun 11am - 8pm
Where: Rathaus Spandau
With 250 stands during the week and 400 at the weekend, this market is a bit of a heffer! Priorities when visiting this market should be checking out the Christmas rock concerts every Friday from 6pm (odd huh?!) and the Christmas Crib with live animals on Reformationplatz!

Charlottenburg Christmas Market
When: 21.11.2011 - 26.12.2011
Mon - Thu 2pm - 10pm
Fri - Sun 12 -10pm
Closed on 24th December
Open 25th & 26th December from 12am - 8pm.
Where: Schloss Charlottenburg, Spandauer Damm
I've never been to this one personally, although I plan to this year, but it came recommended by almost everyone who replied to my requests for voting for favourite Christmas markets. Expect it to be big, full of stands and goodies and of course with the usual warming foods and drinks.



Are you looking forward to Christmas? Are there any good Christmas markets where you live? Have you any other recommendations? Don't forget to comment and let me and the readers know!




 
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