Is it beginning to feel a bit like Christmas

I think it is beginning to feel a bit like Christmas. My daughter and I have just returned from a few days away in Germany visiting the Christmas market and we are now full of the Christmas spirit! Does it almost feel like Christmas to you too?
 

Nine years ago while at secondary school my daughter did a weeks German exchange at this time of year and has always wanted to return there with me to enjoy the Christmas markets.Unfortunately it has taken a long time to realise this dream due to school, college, university and work commitments!


 I spent most of my childhood in Germany, but I don't remember many Christmas markets as a child, apart from one in the early 80's, which was the last year before we returned to the UK. Can any of my German or Dutch followers tell me if their popularity has really only spread from that time?





Our destination was Dortmund, which is not on the organised Christmas tourist trips. It was chosen as this is where my daughter had previously visited. They have the most enormous Christmas tree - it is 45 meters high and is made up of  1,700  individual Christmas trees and 13,000 lights. It was an amazing sight! The spicy smell of the food and the mulled wine and the twinkling lights added to the atmosphere.


 It was also nice to relive old memories and create new ones too. Germany will always hold a special place in my heart.












 On our way home we visited Dusseldorf too. It didn't take me long to be drawn to the river Rhine . My husband and I are looking forward to visiting Germany again next year and will be seeing more of this huge river on a cruise.





 This will the last chance I get to write a post before Christmas so I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very peaceful and happy Christmas with your family and friends.
 Sarah x

Comments

  1. Jolanda17 December 2015 at 21:56

    I love your post, last year we went to Dusseldorf for the forst time and we loved the German christmasmarkets. So different from the Dutch. This weekend we go to Brugge, Belgium. Merry Xmas!

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  2. Countrylovers17 December 2015 at 22:29

    My dear Sarah,

    I am really a little bit sad. You were in Dortmund, my hometown, visiting the christmas market. That was a chance to meet! Next time you can stay with your daughter in my little cottage as my guests.

    With best wishes for a wonderful season from Dortmund, Barbara

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  3. Down by the sea17 December 2015 at 22:57

    Dear Barbara, I'm sorry I had completely forgotten that you lived in Dortmund. I remember you showing me some pictures of the Munster Christmas market and I must have got confused. I am sad too that we did not meet. Sarah x

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  4. Rosemary17 December 2015 at 23:31

    You have shown some lovely Christmas images of Dortmund, and I must admit that their market stalls look a lot more attractive than the 'garden shed' type stalls we have over here.
    Hope that you have a wonderful family Christmas and a happy 2016.

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  5. ann @ studiohyde17 December 2015 at 23:41

    Ahhh, this looks such a great trip, lucky you.

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  6. ANNE18 December 2015 at 00:17

    Merry Christmas Sarah! I hope you have the happiest of Christmases and every good thing in the new year!

    And your trip looks like it was super fun,too!

    xox

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  7. Castles Crowns and Cottages18 December 2015 at 00:35

    Good evening dearest Sarah and Tavi! What magical places you share! WIshing you all a marvelous, healthy, happy and promising Christmas and new year!

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  8. Teresa18 December 2015 at 00:53

    What a lovely trip you've made and another one to look forward to! In the past decade or two, Christmas markets concentrating on handicrafts and delicacies have spread even to Northern Europe although ours are rather modest compared with the German and other Central European ones. The nicest in our part of the world is that in the old town of Tallinn, which also very much looks like an old German town thanks to their common heritage from the times of the Hanseatic League. I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing Christmas with your loved ones!

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  9. Kezzie18 December 2015 at 01:32

    I long to go to Germany again! I love the language and I love the people and the place! I am very envious!x

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  10. MeliB18 December 2015 at 06:35

    Re: Christmas markets in Germany - I am German and I can't remember many of them before the 80s, apart from the traditional ones in Nuremberg and maybe Rothenburg ob der Tauber. If I remember correctly, they only became popular from the 80s onwards.
    I hope your Rhine cruise includes the stretch between Bingen and Bonn, it is dramatically picturesque.
    Have a happy Christmas M.

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    Replies
    1. Countrylovers18 December 2015 at 08:46

      Well, as a child of the ruhr region,living in Dortmund, I must say, that we always got a christmas market. Twice a year, during the so called Advent, the 4 weeks before christmas eve, we went there to get special christmas tree ornaments, presents or handcrafted characters for the crib. All these special things you could get on the market ,until today.In Dortmund there are more than 300 market stalls. I´m nearly 50 years old now and there were always christmas markets during my childhood, of course not as big as today.
      Warm greetings from Dortmund, Barbara

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    2. Down by the sea20 December 2015 at 20:06

      Our Rhine cruise starts in Koblenz so we will cover some of the area travelling down to Bingen. Sarah x

      Delete
  11. Mark Willis18 December 2015 at 08:07

    As you know, I have German connections too (Hannover, Celle, Fallingbostel) and my daughters both did a student exchange with a family in Bavaria, so this post "rings some bells" for me. The Germans seem to do Christmas markets so much better than we do. English markets always seem cheap and nasty (aka "naff"!). Hope you all have a lovely Christmas, and I look forward to reading more of your posts in 2016.

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  12. CJ18 December 2015 at 09:28

    It sounds like you had a wonderful time, what a fantastic place to visit. I love your header photos, the old man's beard really comes into its own at this time of year doesn't it. I hope you and yours have a really fantastic Christmas. CJ xx

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  13. rusty duck18 December 2015 at 10:46

    It's so lovely to get away for a while..
    Have a very Merry Christmas Sarah x

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  14. SeagullSuzie18 December 2015 at 11:31

    Happy Christmas Sarah. I know that Leeds has a wonderful German Christmas market-or at least it used to...but there's nothing like the real thing and time to spend with your children.
    I do feel a little more christmasy now that work is over and we have a few nice xmas things planned over the weekend.

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  15. Anonymous18 December 2015 at 11:44

    This all looks very Christmassy. I was born in Germany but my family moved when I was about two so I don't remember it - I'd love to visit and hopefully will do one day. Have a very happy, relaxing Christmas Sarah, and every good wish for the new year. Sam x

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  16. kristieinbc18 December 2015 at 14:45

    What a wonderful thing for you and your daughter to do, Sarah! I've always wanted to see a German Christmas market. I bet you found several unique things to buy and bring home as reminders of your trip. Merry Christmas to you! I hope you and your family (Tavi included of course!) have a lovely holiday season!

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  17. Lynn18 December 2015 at 18:11

    We lived in Cologne and Bonn in the early seventies and once Advent began, I used to meet my husband one night a week after work to eat and shop at the Cologne market. We used to go to the Bonn market at the weekend as we lived there. I still have many wooden tree ornaments as well as the decoration where the candles make the whole thing revolve when the warm air hits the wooden fans - cannot remember what it is in German for the life of me.
    The food and Gluehwein were delicious, and I would like to go back to see if the markets are still the same with quality wooden decorations. I see they still have the heartshaped gingerbread too, which I loved.

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  18. rabbitquilter18 December 2015 at 19:06

    It is a dream of mine to visit a German Christmas market!!! Not next year though, as I am SO lucky to, hopefully, be off to Barbados!! Wey-hey how amazing is that!!! Not until July, but am already so excited!!! Have a lovely Christmas Sarah, and hope we can meet up next year when we are back with our caravan in March!! With best wishes for the New Year to you and your family. X

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  19. Amy at love made my home18 December 2015 at 21:41

    What a wonderful market! Glad you had a great time! Happy Christmas! xx

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  20. pandchintz18 December 2015 at 23:21

    Thank you for all your beautiful posts, Sarah. I so love reading your blog. What a fabulous time you had in Germany. It's so hot here, it's more like the middle of January than just before Christmas, so no it doesn't feel like Christmas in Melbourne yet. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas.

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  21. Unknown19 December 2015 at 06:17

    I loved the post of the German Christmas markets...our neighbours spend some time in Germany and always mentioned them at Xmas...another thing on my bucket list..

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  22. Claire/Just a little less19 December 2015 at 06:29

    It definitely feels likes Christmas after reading this post. Happy Christmas Sarah and thank you for your lovely photos and words this year xo

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  23. Anonymous19 December 2015 at 13:47

    What a fantastic way to get into the Christmas spirit. I hope you continue to have fun and festive holidays, with lots of good food and laughs.

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  24. valerietilsten59.blogspot.com19 December 2015 at 16:35

    Hello dear Sarah,
    I think that was a great idea to go to the Christmas fair in Germany.. My daughter lives in Switzerland, and they too have lovely ones.
    I have never been to Germany.. your memories always stay with you..
    Lovely photos.
    so super to be going on a cruise next year.
    Wishing you a very Happy Christmas Sarah.. together with your family.
    Its been a pleasure passing by and reading your post ' Down by the Sea'
    kind regards
    Val xxx

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  25. Unknown19 December 2015 at 17:22

    Oh wow that looks absolutely amazing. It's been an ambition of mine to visit a German Christmas market one day. Hopefully when the children are older I'll get the chance :) Hope you and your family have wonderful Christmas and New Year

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  26. elaine 19 December 2015 at 18:39

    And a lovely time was had by all - have a lovely Christmas Sarah.

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  27. Anonymous19 December 2015 at 22:31

    It looks lovely from the photos. I'd like to go to Germany. Merry Christmas to you and yours my friend xx

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  28. Cathy19 December 2015 at 22:57

    Sarah, I enjoyed seeing your photos of Christmas in Germany, especially since my youngest son will be going to Munich right after Christmas on vacation with a friend. I'm so glad you and your daughter were able to share this special trip together.

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  29. Angelsdoor * Penny20 December 2015 at 04:13

    Merry Christmas Sarah.... Thank you so much for the beautiful post.. I have never had the opportunity to visit Germany, so for this beautiful tour, I thank you.
    Wishing you the very best in the New Year.
    fondly,
    Penny

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  30. Sigrun20 December 2015 at 05:11

    Hallo Sarah, Weihnachtsmärkte gibt es in Deutschland schon immer, große prachtvolle und kleine privatere. Selbst hier im Ort gibt es zwei Stück. Die Großen dauern Wochen, die Kleinen meist nur ein Wochenende. Ich war in diesem Jahr in Hanau, es war schön, aber es ist immer das Gleiche. Ich würde gerne mal wegfahren, etwas Neues sehen. Dann müßte ich aber die Katzen weggeben und das mache ich nicht. Ich wünsche dir und deiner Familie ein frohes Fest! Bis bald.

    Sigrun

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  31. Anonymous20 December 2015 at 13:46

    Happy Holidays Sarah - I loved this post, it brought back wonderful memories of my time in Germany at the Christmas markets. I'm so happy you and your daughter got to go back again. Also, look forward to hearing about your riverboat trip - we hope to do one over that way sometime in the future. Wishing you all the best. xo Kim

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  32. Coastal Ripples20 December 2015 at 22:18

    What a lovely post Sarah and it must have been a very special time with your daughter. I could almost smell the spice looking at the photos and what an amazing tree. Hope you have a lovely Christmas. Barbara X

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  33. handmade by amalia21 December 2015 at 06:35

    What a prefect way to begin the Christmas celebrations, Sarah, and to share it with your daughter is all the more special. I love markets of all kinds.
    A very happy holiday to you and yours.
    Amalia
    xo

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  34. Cream Linen21 December 2015 at 07:46

    Thank you for sharing these photos with us. You reminded me of a trip to Germany some years ago. I remember the Christmas markets in Berlin and in Dresden. We had a agood time there.
    Merry Christmas to you and your family.
    Tina

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  35. Unknown21 December 2015 at 11:00

    hello dear Sarah, what a lovely trip you had! It seems particularly memorable because your daughter was there and you lived there too...hhhmmm I'm thinking a post about your childhood in Germany is imminent! Wishing you and your lovely family a joyful, happy, peaceful and healthy Christmas and New year! Sharon x

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  36. artistfriend21 December 2015 at 18:49

    What a lovely trip. The market looks wonderful. York has a St Nicholas Fair which is full of hand crafted things too. Wishing you all the very best for Christmas and for 2016 Sarah.

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  37. Julie21 December 2015 at 19:14

    Wishing you a wonderful Christmas too. How special to have a mother~daughter trip - it looks like you had a fantastic time. Juliex

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  38. LeeAnn at Mrs Black's 22 December 2015 at 12:31

    Such lovely images! I adore Christmas markets and one in Germany is so magical, the architecture makes it all like a fairy tale. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas. x

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  39. Madelief23 December 2015 at 19:45

    Lovely photo's of the German Christmas market Sarah! It must have been lovely to make such an outing with your daughter. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas!

    Madelief x

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  40. HWIT BLOGG23 December 2015 at 20:05

    Wow! Christmas at your place, really! Best wishes for a lovely and happy Christmas now...
    Titti

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  41. Draffin Bears24 December 2015 at 09:33

    Dear Sarah,

    Must have been wonderful visiting Germany and the Christmas markets.
    Wishing you and your family a happy Christmas and holidays.
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  42. Things and Thoughts25 December 2015 at 09:14

    Merry Christmas to you and your family dear Sarah!
    Love, Olympia

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  43. Min plats i solen25 December 2015 at 21:55

    What a lovely trip to take together with your daughter and Dortmund looks so nice in it's Christmas dress. Merry Christmas sweet Sarah and I hope you'll have a wonderful holiday with your loved ones.♥

    Charlie
    xx

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