Munich Christmas with 2.5 year old?

1). I think it depends on what you expect and want to spend. Your expectations?
2). Dress the toddler for winter similar to Northern Midwestern States at this time of year (Chicago, Cleveland etc.). Unless there is a severe cold snap this should not be a concern. Take a pullover/beanie hat along with gloves and a coat or dress with layers. You can buy there too as required.
3). Most restaurants, cafes, bars etc. of all types remain open over all the Christmas Holidays. Both the 25th and 26th are German Holidays. Reservations will be required for Mittagessen (dinner at lunch time, and Christmas Goose is a favorite this time) at the better places on the 25th and 26th. The Hotel, B&B, FEWO (holiday apartment) you stay at can give some recommendations if you ask. Many restaurants, cafes, etc. will be closed these evenings (not the bars). The days of kids in restaurants looked down upon are over. You will find some senior Germans happy to see your smiling toddler (unless they are crying uncontrollably and out of hand). 19-23 Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas markets) will be open and going on. This is a festive time. You might want to take a trip, like to Augsburg by train ( 30-45 Min.) to visit another outside Munich? Others are accessible by train: Nürnberg, Regensburg, Landshut etc. Christmas Eve 24 December is when most German families celebrate Christmas similar to US the morning of 25 December (opening gifts). Many young people will be out partying the 24th and 25th bar hoping into the evening after the Family get-togethers.

Speaking English in Munich in most cases should not be a problem.

4). Personally I think it would be fun and a great experience. Do some research and plan ahead, to include reservations. Just do it and don't be intimidated...

No. 2. - when we were in Bavaria in Dec, temp was right around freezing. I was colder in Columbia S.C. when I was there in Jan. years ago.

Thanks so much! This is so helpful!

I can't answer your questions about being there at Christmas, we haven't had the joy of trying that time of year yet :), but I can help with traveling to Europe with a little one. My daughter who is 5, has been to Germany and Europe every year since she was 9 months old and we have always traveled in February, March or the first week of April. We were even in Germany during the major cold snap Europe had in March 2013, that was the coldest its ever been and was actually my daughter's first experience with snow.

I honestly don't believe it is a bad idea, it has been wonderful for us, we've had just a little adjustments to make. Our daughter loves to travel, loves to fly and has learned a lot in her 5 years of going. Of course at a younger age she doesn't remember any of it but we have pictures and stories to tell. There are some things from the last trip or two that she does remember and talks about.

Munich has an excellent zoo and is easy to reach via Sbahn and a little walk across the river. We will always make a point of going when we are in Munich. The Viktualenmarkt is a great place to walk around and buy fruit or veggies if you have a flat (I'm only assuming the stalls are open that time of year) and it is also a great place to eat. If it is going to be more difficult in finding places to eat those days then I would highly recommend renting a flat. I've never used Air B&B but have used homeaway.com with great results in Germany. Just make sure you know what days the supermarkets will be closed so you can buy enough to last those days. We've never had problems being in restaurants with her, people have always interacted with her.

I have always packed a winter coat, hat, gloves (2 pairs in case she lost one) and even a lighter coat just in case the winter coat is too warm. I also pack layers, including thermal tops and bottoms and the thicker tights that she would wear under pants. She also typically has a pair of boots and tennis shoes that she goes back and forth with. One other thing I would highly recommend carrying, a cover for your stroller. It keeps baby dry, blocks the wind and helps keep them a little warmer. I've had one for both my travel system stroller and the umbrella stroller and was worth I think the $10 I paid for it. The 2013 trip I actually had to throw it away the day we left because it was falling apart from us using it so much. I have bought them from Buy Buy Baby and from in Munich I think at the Galleria store across from the hauptbahnhof. I usually also carried one of her blankets, the size of a receiving blanket but thicker and would wrap it around her and/or her legs while she was in her stroller if she was cold.

Go and have fun. Feel free to ask me any other questions, I've gotten pretty good at my packing lists and packing toys and such for her.

Awesome! She loves zoos and the clothing and stroller cover info is so helpful!

I've had a toddler (1-3 yr old) in Munich over winter in both an air-bnb type place, a hotel and in our own apartment living there.

Would a hotel or air-bnb type place serve us better over the Christmas holiday?

Either was fine but the air-bnb was after we had been living there for two years. For a new comer a hotel might be preferred since you would still have the advantage of having the hotel staff to ask for help/advice.

Would the outside-activities be too-cold for a toddler from the Southern US?

No it won't be too cold. We are from Texas and never had a problem. We did use a Fußsack which is a like a little sleeping bag you attach to your stroller for the little one to ride in. I'd recommend sewing one up your self out of a blanket or small sleeping bag before the trip (don't forget to fit test it too!). A blanket is ok but if it gets windy or your child is a little restless it is a pain to readjust it. A Fußsack just makes it all that much easier. I'd recommend some of the smaller Christmas markets like the Haidhausen Christmas market or the Medieval Christmas market in Wittelsbacher Platz for a toddler. Search for them on this forum. If there is snow, sledding in the city can be fun as well. We always used the sledding hill near the Maximilianeum but there are several locations in the city. Alternatively you can also go sledding in the mountains. We took our toddler sledding between Christmas and New Years at Spitzingsee, Wallberg (Tergernsee Area) and on the Brauneck in Lenggries.

Would we still be able to eat and drink on the 24-26 or does the whole city close down?

No it won't be completely shut down.

Is this just an overall bad idea? Too much expense for too little pay-off?

Not a bad idea at all. Christmas is a great time for kids in Germany.

DJ

Please post a trip report if you do take this trip! We are hoping to travel with our child (who will be 2) next summer and I'd love to hear about your experience. Good luck with your trip!