It's Christmas time! If you're in Berlin then it's very hard to escape this fact. It might be dark and cold(ish) outside but a bellyful of Glühwein, Christmas biscuits and a dose of Christmas cheer makes for a fun December! Here are a couple of things that make Berlin feel so Christmassy.
1. Christmas markets
If you haven't been to one yet, then what have you been waiting for? My favourite is Gendarmenmarkt but there's a whole heap more here. Of course you have to get yourself a Glühwein while you're there, and while you're at it you might as well get yourself some Lebkuchen, Christstollen and a Nutcracker to go with it.
2. Advent wreath
Every country has their own rituals to get them into the Christmassy mood. In Germany celebrating the four advent Sundays before Christmas is a big event. You get yourself an Advent wreath with four candles and then light another candle each Sunday. It's a nice little countdown to Christmas, along with an Advents calendar.
3. Christmas tree
You'll find Christmas trees for sale all over Berlin at this time of year. After Christmas? Well, then you'll find the remains of the Christmas trees disposed on every street corner. And in between? The traditional German Christmas tree is terribly sophisticated with minimal decorations and real candles on the tree. The fire hazard frightens the hell out of me so instead I layer up my tree with lights, tinsel and the cheesiest of Christmas decorations.
I wish you all a very Happy Christmas!
It's been said many a time before - Germans, they like their rules. It might be a stereotype, but after you've been shouted at one too many times for cycling on the pavement or crossing the street when you shouldn't be you realise that there's some basis to the stereotype.