Besides Stollen, there is a wide variety of food and treats you can get at the Christmas markets, such as gebrannte mandeln (roasted almonds), baumkuchen (chimmney cakes) and quarkkrapfen (fried dough balls of quark). And you can't go to the Christmas markets without trying some glühwein (hot mulled wine) or kinderpunsch (hot apple cider). Each Christmas market has its own unique mug for glühwein and many people collect them as souvenirs. I've personally enjoyed the kinderpunsch and the different varieties that are offered.
Besides the amazing selection of food, you can also find different Christmas gifts at the markets. Across Germany and especially in Saxony, you can find handmade, traditional, Erzgebirge art made from wood. You can find candles, incense, other handmade crafts, hats, leather goods and anything else your heart desires!
The tradition of Christmas markets began in the German-speaking regions of Europe during the late Medieval Era. They were originally opened to sell meat and then as time passed, they evolved into selling other everyday goods. It wasn't until the Reformation in 1517 that the Christmas markets really took off. Martin Luther encouraged the markets as a way to celebrate Advent (the four Sundays before Christmas), instead of other holidays that were related to saints. Historically, Christianity has been the major religion in Germany and that has influenced many of its traditions. Today, the Christmas markets are a place to meet friends, grab a bite to eat, buy Christmas presents and celebrate the holiday season.
