As the days are drawing in and the temperature is dropping one of the most exciting things to warm your spirits for this time of year is the fast approaching Christmas season.

And what better way to start the festivities than a traditional German Christmas market, where you can not only sample the mouthwatering holiday fair, you can pick up a few stocking fillers along the way.

"Better known as Christkindlmarkt, German Christmas markets are a delightful way to begin holiday festivities," says Angie Low, one of the market organizers.

"They light up towns with gaiety, fun, laughter, good food and drink during the pre-Christmas season from the end of November until the day before Christmas Eve."

Dating back hundreds of years, Germany's Christmas markets are a charming, enjoyable tradition held in most German city centers bringing light and laughter to the cold and dark season.

Nowadays, tourist from all around the world visit Germany's biggest markets to enjoy the special flair they provide and this year Shanghai will be joining that list.

Although this will be the first Christkindlmarkt in Shanghai, the market is planned to be a dazzling affair, says Low.

"As an annual event in Germany we wanted to bring the Christkindlmarkt and German culture to Shanghai," she explains.

"We have many Germans who work and live here and we want them to feel at home."

With the atmosphere of an old world Christmas the market will offer its visitors, unique, mostly hand-crafted items from home-made Christmas ornaments, decorations, gifts and delicious treats.

"The crisp, cold air will be filled with the fragrance of sizzling sausages, sweet pastries, spices and hot spiced Gluhwein (mulled wine)," Low enthuses.

Booths will sell sweet treats, such as chocolates, pastries, cookies, candies and more traditional German food such as stollen, gluehwein, bratwurst and gingerbread.
Gift stalls will sell jewelry, hampers, special tableware, cards, stockings, as well as freshly imported cut Christmas trees from Denmark and special made wooden bicycles for children.

"The vendors at the market have been carefully selected to ensure that the quality of goods and gifts sold are not 'cheap Charlie' items," says the Malaysian expat.

With more than 50 stalls all together: "Among the more usual items there will be hand painted Christmas ornaments, Candle holders, Christmas plates, cups, glasses, winter clothing including mitts and cashmere wraps and also Chinese wares such as lamps and photo albums. The list is endless."

However, the market will also present a few unique twists through coinciding with the Official Christmas tree lighting with the German General Consul Albrecht van der Heyden and his wife on the first day of the market (at 7 PM) and also offering festive family portraits by Barefootportraits photography.

"Christmas is an important holiday in Germany. Besides its religious motivation, it is a time during which family members come together and enjoy each other's company," continues Gudrun Hellauer, a German native and another of the market organizers.

"I'd say it's one of the most important holiday seasons of the year. In regards to Christmas markets, it is a must to visit your town's Christmas market during the pre-holiday season with your friends or family. It is a valued tradition for each town."

Having been living in Shanghai since 2000, the Straubing (Bavaria) native is very excited about a German market locally.

"My home town hosts a typical Christmas market every year. For my friends and me, it was a must to meet up every Sunday evening for a couple of Gluhwein."
Not having been to her hometown's Christmas markets since she left in 2000, she says: "I really miss it. My friend will report back every year, how much fun they had and whom they met who hasn't been seen for a long time. Nowadays, there is not much to miss here in Shanghai but the Christmas market I have always missed very much."

Once it is chilly outside, it reminds of the snowy December and the cozy atmosphere at Christmas markets Hellauer finishes.

"Therefore, I am glad that we got the chance to bring this part of the German culture to Shanghai. I've already sent e-mails to all my friends back home and they are very proud to hear that once again we could bring another piece of our homeland here."

(Shanghai Daily November 28, 2007)