Help me bring the German market to my house!

[Mouseville65]

I was diagnosed with a chronic illness in July and have been poorly for the best part of the year. My DP has been great with me and really understanding but I can tell it's starting to take its toll.

He has been looking forward to going to the German market in a local city for months, he's worked extra hours to make sure we can afford it without scrimping and he's mentioned it every day for the last week. The issue is I am poorly :( It's not the fibromyalgia this time, I have shingles but it's still 'mousevilles poorly again'

I know iabu to not just suck it up and go for him but I'm sat here in tears at the prospect of going when I feel so poorly.

I thought maybe I could bring the German Market home, some German beers, sausage, Utube ompa band but then I'm stuck - any suggestions that can make this a date night he will remember for the right reasons instead of yet another night ruined because of me.

You could make Reibekuchen - basically grated potatoes and onions, fried. Similar to rösti/hash browns but special.
Also Glühwein - do aldi/lidl sell any? Stollen loaf and Speculatius biscuits to nibble.

Send him alone! He shouldn’t miss out

Then tonight do German sausages, the German mulled wine (I forget the name) few Christmas sweet treats. Aldi or Lidl will be your friend here..,l

Cant he go on his own and bring you a souvenir?

Can you get a friend to pop to Lidl or Aldi and get - bratwurst type sausages, sauerkraut, gherkins, mustard, schnitzel (frozen), thin cut chips, for Bratkartofflen you could try looking for rosti potatoes or a potato and onion bake, lebekuchen/ginger bread, chocolates (Dickman too if they have any), beer, pretzels(ideally bread ones) and some mulled wine?

The mulled wine can be heated in a pan and help provide a lovely aroma.

You could also use WiFi to tune in to a German radio station.

As for more atmosphere, grab a few bits of greenery and put them on ledges, surfaces with a scattering of pine cones.

Perhaps also try getting a couple of his favourite Christmas films?

Go to Lidl. Buy their entire Christmas offering plus all the sausages.

You are done.

Could he go solo? Or is there someone else he can go with instead?

Agree with PPs- Lidl is your friend here! Bratwurst, german beers. And some of the marzipan sweets and candied nuts (best thing about the Christmas market IMO!)

If he would like to go alone then maybe he could whilst you rest, then you can enjoy your market feast together when he gets home? As someone with a chronic illness myself, I know how you feel. Forcing yourself to do something you don’t feel well enough to do won’t be a fun experience for either of you

Thank you for reminding me about Aldi :) My friend is going to nip down and see what they have.

I wouldn't mind him going on his own/with a friend at all but he won't, he works away so hasn't seen me for more than 2 days this month, he will be back at tea time and gone again 3am Monday morning so I know there's no way he will go without me.

The mulled wine in a pan idea I love - thank you.

@thewayoftheplatypus thank you, I'm sorry you go through this too. I'm only 32 and it's hard getting my head around the fact I have to live with this. I just don't want to become a burden so keep trying to think of ways to make things better.

Get some of the incense cones that usually burn in the smoking men, they give a great atmosphere to go along with the food, you can get all that's needed from Lidl or Aldi, I once triumphantly brought bratties back from Germany only to find that Lidl had them here.

Smelly spices will create the atmosphere - cloves or cinnamon, wooden Christmas decs, and the spicy biscuits from Lidl. However - shingles is no joke. You should be resting and pampering yourself, not catering for others.
Can't he go to German markets himself?

That all sounds more hassle than just going to the Christmas market. I’d try and persuade him to go alone or reschedule. If you’re not well do you really want to be traipsing round Lidl and making bratwurst?

This site may have some ideas never used them:

germandeli.co.uk/christmas-seasonal/christmas-products

I understand exactly how you feel, I struggle with my energy levels, but I agree with an earlier poster, this sounds like hard work!

How would it be if you went early on when it’s not so busy, say just for an hour? Much more relaxing early doors and nice when it’s just getting dark (and not too cold).

However, if you go with the home option, I can tell you that Home Bargains and Lidl both sell Bratkartoffeln. (Lidl’s are in the chiller cabinet and Home Bargains are out on the shelves, usually near the sachets of rice).

Also try German carols rather than an oompah band for a more authentic atmosphere, (m.youtube.com/watch?v=4lhkmLKq7Cs) , dim the lights and have lots of candles and white fairy lights.

Viel Spass!

🇩🇪🌲✨🍻😊👍🏻

Good luck with your German date night. I hope your friend managed to pick some things up for you!

I love the idea of a German market night, I hope yours comes off well because I'm stealing that idea for us too!

Waffles with chocolate sauce, that's what I mostly ate from a German market as well as the Gluhwein

Is it the walking round that will be an issue? Could you hire a wheelchair for the evening and he push you? I have a chronic illness too and a wheelchair has changed my life.

Just wanted to check ln and say thank you :) My friend got some great bits and not much needed cooking :) we had a great night in.

I was feeling a lot better today so we went to do a little shopping and tonight whilst I was at church he prepared my favourite foods in return for German market night :)

Perfect weekend in the end xx