Shopping in Vienna - what and where

[WithIcePlease]

I'm going to Vienna mid November. Some of Christmas markets are open.

I don't want to spend lots of time shopping so would like to know:

Is there anything different in their Christmas markets or are they much the same as UK German markets?

Which is the main shopping area?

Anything that I can get in Vienna that's not generally available elsewhere as stocking fillers - can include food

I've planned to get crystallised violets as they are apparently a thing there

Following.

I have no idea about shopping but if you can do go to Cafe Landtmann. It's amazing and an incredible experience and has a wonderful history.

https://www.landtmann.at/en/the-landtmann/our-coffee-house.html

Bumping as I'm going too

Meinl am Graben has the most amazing food department (will remind you of Fortnum and Mason) - you will get festive things and food there.

There are different things in the Christmas markets, although probably the nicest and most expensive, in my opinion, are the ones too fragile to guarantee getting home in one piece. Things such as painted glass baubles. The largest and easiest to get to is the Rathausplatz, on the Ring. Dominikanerbastei has one with artisan/crafty things, but it is quite small and may only be there nearer Christmas.

There are a few shopping areas, but in terms of where you can reach and have a bit of a browse, you might try the area (the back streets) behind the Cathedral - not the parts with the lit signs (if you see what I mean); Karlsplatz Opernpassage used to be interesting - although I'm remembering back a long way.

What stocking fillers? Some thoughts are tiny mini Mozart liqueurs that look like the round eyeball chocolates (or indeed, better alcohol miniatures!); the Biedermaier Strauss, which is based on a very old fashioned 'bouquet' with a lace base, but made with chocs instead of flowers. Lovely bras in the Drogerie Markt - general Superdrug-like pharmacy...
Disclaimer: I quite like kitsch! Some really wouldn't. The bras aren't kitsch though!