POtsdamer WeihnachtsMarkt

        Sitting in German class in high school, I remember having culture days and learning about the famous Christmas markets, among many other traditions. My mother’s fathers family was German, and so traditions have been passed down to me and my sister- like St. Nicholas’ Day on December 6, when you put your shoe outside your door and in the morning there is a little goody inside. When you are a kid and there is an excuse to give you little presents, you don’t ask questions of origins. But as an adult, I have an inquisitive mind, so upon doing some light research, discovered that Saint Nicholas is a patron saint in Catholicism, and as his annual feast day is December 6, he became part of the Christmas holiday season. As his visit is common for delivering little sweets and goodies that could fit in a shoe, December 6 is seen as a preliminary round of Christmas. The shoe bit seems a bit less clear to me- except many German traditions were brought to America by immigrants, and I believe that shoe part formed from that. America is a beautiful melting pot, and it’s always good to have a reminder that these small traditions that we feel are ours started from hundreds of years of shifting cultural waves.
 
         While Nikolaustag (St. Nick’s Day) is still a tradition for many, the famous markets have the attention of us all for a reason. Many date back hundreds of years, the oldest known one being from Dresden (a favorite city of mine in all of Europe), at 600 years. These markets have trickled down into American culture in ways you might not realize- your community Christmas Bazaar. Every market has the typical touristy bits, but also incredible local heritage and gifts. Stalls of woodwork, ceramics, glassworks, jewelry, clothing, and countless artistry line both sides of the town main streets, here in Potsdam that is the gorgeous Brandenburger Straße. Mixed with gifts is its equal: the food. World famous warm Glühwein, Bratwurst freshly sizzled, and Quarkbällchen. Regional and other nations specialties are now staples too, like Langos from Hungary- a yeast dough covered in Quark (essentially sour cream) and Käse (cheese), but with many optional additions like meats and veggies. Massive amounts of sweets are on display too- chocolate covered fruits, fresh and warm salted nuts, and the large heart shaped German gingerbread cookies, with endearing saying like Ich liebe Dich, Liebster Opa, and Fröhliche Weihnachten. Is your mouth watering yet?
 
          To top it all off, and what makes it even more authentic for me, is to see mass amounts of locals out with family and friends- smiling, drinking Glühwein, wandering, and speaking in German (naturally). The beautiful lights twinkle and giant Weihnachtspyramiden (Christmas carousel pyramids) spin (fun fact, they traditionally move by warm air rising off the candles placed at the bottom, making the display turn as the propellors spin). The energy and festive spirit are everything I imagined, dreaming in my seat as that high school student. And here I am- in the flesh, loving every second. While Potsdam is one of my favorite cities, I’ve waited too many years to come to just one market. Every town in Germany has their own edition- and while I can’t do them all, I intend on doing as many as I can this trip. Dresden is tomorrow- and what I most look forward too, and Berlin’s are open until the New Year, which is rare and not common for most of Germany- when many close at Christmas Eve.
          Christmas Eve is the true Christmas Day in the country. That’s when families gather and give gifts, sing carols, and eat lots. The days after are for relaxing, more eating, and more visiting. For a gal who loves being out of her comfort zone and in new experiences, especially ones she has wanted to be a part of for her whole life- the time is nigh- and I can’t wait.
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Fröhliche Weihnachten!
 
 

Gingerbread Phrase Cookies- so Instagrammable!

Glühwein- an essential stop!

Langos- a Hungarian Specialty adopted widely around Europe!