Christmas market take homes?

No, sometimes very cheap, imported from China or elsewhere and sometimes difficult to tell. We focus on small Christmas decorations which have no weight and easy to pack.

Okay...so chocolates and baking and the like...some glass ornaments but nothing over the top.

"- it's more about the atmosphere." A big part of which is the outdoor drinking. So think of some of the larger markets as a much less rowdy winter version of Oktoberfest where they sell more stuff.

No, not so much chocolate and baking, tho food like sausage and candy- is available. Carved wooden items including toys & decorations, leather goods, plaques for your home, ceramic/glass/ straw/ stamped metal vendors, but also handmade knives, wreaths, and wall decorations.Take your time and really LOOK at the booths, as there are some unique items. My favorite Christmas market purchase is a pair of 6" owls made from twigs- lightweight for the one carryon philosophy but devilish to protect while changing cities. Would have liked 4 or 5 of them, but no room.

At the Budapest market there is the food and the memories of all those wonderful tastes and the atmosphere of the cool air and the hot food and hot drink. Combined with the memory of the sights and sounds makes for the best and most economical things you can take away. I also like the fur hats for men. You know the Russian caps like military officers would wear in the winter, but classy formal versions for wear to the opera. $$$$$ In general i think you will find Budapest to be the least expensive of the stops on your trip; but only if you get off Vaci street. Oh, and winter is high season for the performing arts so you must see a concert, opera, operett or ballet. I haven't been to the other markets but I can say that while there is a lot for foreign tourists much of the Budapest markets are still geared for the local populace which i see as a real plus for the experience. When you get back would you please write with a critical comparison of the markets. that would be a real help.

Most Christmas markets will have at least one stand selling authentic, hand made German articles. You don't have to go all the way to Seiffen to pick up a nutcracker, smoker, pyramid, or any of the myriad hand-carved wooden items. If it is made in Germany, it will say so, as it is against the law to pass off items with false labels. Hand carved wooden ornaments, made in Germany, will be everywhere. Nativity items can be something special, though my favorite wooden items are the Smokers. Sort of a German incense burner. Prices for a Smoker will run between 35-85 euro. Nutcrackers, from about 40-100 or more, depending on size. Pyramids of a very small size might begin at about 45 euro and increase to large amounts of cash, as they can get very big. Little miniature wood carvings set in match boxes or walnuts are fun. Porcelain doll house items are also popular. Some markets are known for having all artisan made items, like the market in the Seligenstadt Abbey. Medieval markets are also going to have some creative, hand made items, from wood, leather, metal, or unique jewelry pieces.

Some of the larger markets in Germany (and perhaps Austria) have a Käthe Wohlfarht stand or shop. All of their stuff is made in Germany, and it's of pretty good quality. They sell all the ornaments, nativity scenes, nutcrackers and smokers you could ever want. Jo, are "pyramids" those Christmas decorations where the heat of the candles causes the figures to rotate? If so, I always wondered what they were called.

If anyone does purchase a pyramid, I'd advise stocking up on extra candles for it at the same time. I found that it is not nearly as easy to find the right kind of candles elsewhere and at different times of the year.

You don't have to search for a Käthe Wohlfahrt stand/shop. Simply look for the word "Erzgebirge", because that's where all the wooden, handmade Christmas toys come from (Erzgebirge = Ore mountains in Saxony/Eastern Germany). I actually think almost everything sold on German Christmas markets is original and no cheap copy. And glass ornaments? Look for "Lauscha", which is the village in the Thuringian Forest where the glass baubles were invented in the 19th century.

My favorite take home item is typically that year's gluwine (spelled wrong probably) cup; you know the hot mulled wine mug. It seems every Christmas market in Germany had its own town cup with that years date on it. The one I have from Rothenburg has a nice graphic of a local artist of some of the nice picturesque places in ROthenburg; we also bought some of his art, his gallery is near the main market place. Other than that, I really never buy any of the trinkets and bobbles. It seems every market has the same things but it doesnt stop me from enjoying the Christmas market ambience, food, and hot beverage.
Budupest had an impressive market, but do not remember if they had an official cup. Maybe the same for Vienna. But both are big and fun.

Hi Annemarie, Our favorite "take homes" were the most inexpensive ones... the mugs you get with your hot mulled wine or hot chocolate at the Christmas Markets. Each town and market has their own unique Advent/Christmas Market logo/scene on the coffee mug. Total cost of 1 mug was 4.50 Euro, filled with the wine! We have nearly a dozen and now use them during the Christmas season. We got them home by putting each one in a "dirty" sock in our luggage. Yes, we washed them before using them at home:) Paul

Last year we visited 4 Christmas markets. Besides the mugs, all we bought were 2 ornaments - one a paper star and one a metal star with a glass ball in the center. However, we have more than enough ornaments at home and weren't really in the market for decos.

Often, when I go on vacation I think I will come home with some real treasures. Most of the time I find nothing so I am going to reduce my expectations. Coming from a German background, I am familiar with all the trinkets and really need nothing. This vacation is going to be more for my daughter and I to enjoy the atmosphere that comes along with Christmas in these stops..the food, the sights, sounds..some good chocolate and baking...sound good?

Another point about Vienna's Rathaus market....I am also trying to word this without sounding pornographic, really I am. they had these interesting pastries, a nice flaky crust in shape of a tube surrounding the best cream filling I have ever had. They had them in all sizes, including one that was like a foot long and maybe 6 inches wide. They are quite a spectacle due to its size so take one back to your hotel and eat one because there is no classy way to eat it. You will have pastry and filling all over you. IN your hair, eye brows, eye lashes, and maybe in your nose. We pondered on how we could eat it, should we cut it? Try to press it down? No we just dove in head first. We could have had the small one but no, the hubby had to get the giant pastry roll. We ate it all. We had no shame.
It was good though. And for the life of me I do not know what it was called. But it was a funny moment that was also very tasty.

I gathered a collection of gluwein mugs at last year's 14 markets that I visited. Each one is unique and special. I also like to purchase a wooden, laser cut ornament at the market for the city in which the market is taking place. The wooden pyramids are also very special. There are also some small wooden Christmas trees that fold flat that come with small ornaments. You will also see beautiful advent paper stars that also fold flat and are very unique and beautiful. Just be aware that the light they want to sell you to light up the star will be for the European plugs. At the Salzburg market, I bought some flavored vinegars and olive oils. Of course, those went in my checked in luggage that I had to purchase just for my Christmas market purchases. At the Salzburg market, enjoy the choir singing in front of the Dom. If you want to view my blog from last year's market, send me a PM for the website. Have a wonderful trip.