The holidays season is just around the corner. It is inevitable and we cannot stop it. Some are already excited about it. I am partially done with my Christmas decorations. If I am not mistaken Germans usually hang their decorations 4 or 5 days before Christmas day. Not with me because in my home country, Philippines we usually begin to decorate when the BER months starts. It means that when September comes, you can already see Christmas decorations around.

I am already thinking of some gifts to give especially to hubby. I know for sure he will love mens designer clothes. It will not only be his Christmas presents but also his birthday gifts as well. I know where to go when shopping for this. Are you getting ready for the holiday season. Yes, I am!

Lastly, we should not forget the true meaning of Christmas. Enjoy the rest of your Friday!

The last day of Nürnberg or Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas Market) 2010 is on December 24, 2010. The stalls will be closed at around 2:00 PM. This years's event started last November 26,2010. I believed that this year's Christmas Market is again a memorable and successful one. It was a very delightful experience visiting it for the fourth time this year.

I am sharing some images from this year's Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany.

Lebkuchen or Gingerbread and Sweets of various kinds are also available

tasting a Glühwein (glow wine, also called mulled wine) will let you forget for awhile the freezing cold weather while strolling at the Christkindlesmarkt.

HISTORY

Nuremberg's Christmas Market is one of Germany's oldest Christmas fairs. The pre-Christmas event on Nuremberg's Main Market Square dates back to the mid 16th century. The first mention in writing is from 1628. The following inscription in black ink was found at the bottom of an oval, 19-centimeter-long spruce bentwood box decorated with flowers – now in the possession of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum: "Sent to Regina Susanna Harßdörfferin by Miss Susanna Eleonora Erbsin (or Elbsin) on the occasion of the Christmas Market of 1628".

140 Stall Holders in the 18th Century

A list from 1737 demonstrates that almost all Nuremberg craftsmen were represented on the market. 140 persons were entitled to offer goods for sale.

Towards the end of the 19th century, the Christmas Market became less important. It shifted to various venues within the city, and was only revived in the 1930s. The National Socialists made good use of the well-established traditional event which enhanced Nuremberg's image as the "Treasure Chest of the German Reich" and was a welcome supplement to their own calendar of festive events. In 1933, the Christmas Market moved back to the Main Market Square and was a much Romanticised event. An actress dressed up as the Christmas Angel, accompanied by two golden Christmas tree fairies, recited a prologue, a children's choir sang, and church bells rang. During World War II, no Christmas Market was held in Nuremberg.
more here

Christmas market or Chriskindlesmarkt is almost coming in Germany. I took these photos last year in Nuremberg or Nuernberg in Bavaria, Germany. This city is one of the famous cities in Germany that held Christmas market every year. I always visit this city almost every year but this year I can't do it because I will be spending Christmas in my home country, Philippines. That is also the reason why I have bid goodnight for now. It will be a long journey starting tomorrow. take care guys and just enjoy viewing my photos below. Have a blessed holiday season in advance. God bless us all! also praying for my safe and sound trip back home!
A Christmas market, also known as Christkindlmarkt, Christkindlesmarkt, Christkindlmarket, and Weihnachtsmarkt, is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during advent, mainly the four weeks preceding Christmas Day. These markets originated in Germany and Austria but are now being held in many other countries.
Every year, Germany's most famous Christmas Market opens its stalls for visitors from all over the world, right in the middle of the city, on Nuremberg Main Market Square. At 5.30 p.m. on the Friday before the first Advent Sunday, the Christmas Angel opens her market, reciting the solemn prologue from the gallery of the church of Our Lady. And as every year, by Christmas Eve, more than two million visitors from all over the world will have sampled the delights of the Christmas Market.

About 180 wooden stalls, festooned with red-and-white cloth, have given the Christmas Market its name of "Little Town from Wood and Cloth". 200 stall holders present their traditional wares: Nuremberg spicy gingerbread, fruit loaves, bakery goods and sweets, typical Christmas articles such as Christmas tree angels, cribs, Christmas tree ornaments and candles, toys as well as arts and crafts products. Favourite souvenirs include "Nuremberg Plum People", little figures made from prunes. And of course, by way of refreshments, there are always rolls with Nuremberg roast sausages and mugs of mulled wine.

The staff of the Market Department keep a watchful eye on the stalls and the goods on offer. So plastic fir garlands are a definite no-no, just as much as non-stop taped Christmas muzak or carousels. The market's stall holders also compete for the most beautiful and tasteful stall design. And reap their rewards: since 1981, the City has presented an annual award of gold, silver and bronze "Plum People" for the most beautiful stalls.

Nuremberg Christmas Market with its traditional image has also been a model for other Christmas Markets. The "Little Town from Wood and Cloth" has also been much in demand as a picturesque backdrop for TV productions. more infos here

MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND A HAPPY NEW TO ONE AND ALL!!

This Tree Lady is always present every year during the Christkindlmarkt or Christmas Market in Nuremberg..I had seen her three times already...

copyright photo by: EuroangelThe decorative woods on sale during the Christmas Market In Nuremberg, Germany. I took this photo last December 2007...sorry wrong cam date..

Attractions and Stalls

Popular attractions at the market include the Nativity Scene (a crèche or crib), Zwetschgamännla (figures made of decorated dried plums), Nussknacker (carved Nutcrackers), Gebrannte Mandeln (candied, toasted almonds), traditional Christmas cookies such as Lebkuchen and Magenbrot (both forms of soft gingerbread), Christstollen (Stollen), a sort of egg bread with candied fruit, Bratwurst, and for many visitors one of the highlights of the market: Glühwein, hot mulled wine (with or without a shot of brandy), or Eierpunsch (an egg-based warm alcoholic drink). Both help stave off the cold winter air which sometimes dips below freezing. Many other handmade items, toys, books, Christmas tree decorations and ornaments (and in recent years less useful gadgets) can be found at a Christkindlmarkt..

copyright photo by: EuroangelThis photo was taken from last year's Christmas Market in Nuremberg, Germany. It is one of the stalls selling selling Christmas decors. There are hundreds of stalls here selling different kinds of goods like clothes, food, christmas decors and a lot more.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_market

The history of Christmas markets goes back to the Late Middle Ages in the German speaking part of Europe. The Dresden Christmas market - first held in 1434 is often (incorrectly) said to be the oldest Christmas market. It attracts between 1.5 and 2 million visitors a year and has over 60 stalls.[1] It is very unlikely that Dresden market is really the oldest as the city was a small town in 1434 and other cities earned market rights. One example is Bautzen Christmas market which was first mentioned in records in 1384. The Vienna "December market" was a kind of forerunner of the Christmas market and dates back to 1294.

In many towns in Germany and Austria, Advent is usually ushered in with the opening of the Christmas market or "Weihnachtsmarkt". In southern Germany and Austria it is also sometimes called a "Christkind(e)l(s)markt" (South Ger., literally meaning "Christ child market"). Generally held on the town square and adjacent pedestrian zones, the market sells food and drink from open-air stalls with other seasonal items and traditional singing and dancing. On opening nights (and in some towns more often) onlookers welcome the "Christkind", or boy Jesus, acted out by a local child.

It is the first day of December now. During this time Christmas markets in different places and cities in Germany are already starting. The famous one is in Nuremberg which is around one hour from us by train. This photo I had here was from last year. Sorry guys, the camera date was not corrected. Hope to share more photos for this year's Christmas Market in Nuremberg and other places too!! merry Christmas to all!!

here is a little info about Christmas Market...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_market

A Christmas market, also known as Christkindlmarkt, Christkindlesmarkt, Christkindlmarket, and Weihnachtsmarkt, is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during advent, mainly the four weeks preceding Christmas Day. These markets originated in Germany and Austria but are now being held in many other countries.