Creating a German Christmas Market at home

[I8toys]

After a wonderful suggestion on another thread I am attempting to recreate a Christmas market theme nearer to Christmas obviously.

Some ideas I already have
German decorations - we have them from a Bavarian theme at the start of lockdown - tankards, hats etc and music
Loads of lights, stag decorations etc
Firepit for marshmallows

Food
Loads of wurst - will order from a German deli
Cheese speatzle
Raclette
All the cheese - Bavarian smoked
Pretzels
Stollen
Marzipan potatoes
Crepes/waffles
Chocolate fountain and fruit skewers
Gluhwein

What else can I add? I've never really been to a proper Christmas market. Any more ideas greatly appreciated!!

You've loads there but Lidl have their Christmas snacky bits with marzipan in now so you can probably get a load in now to hide test and more ideas there!

Two pint beer glasses are essential . I would want lots of wood around for it to feel like a German Market, strewn with fake pine branches and lights, but I have no idea how I'd go about it! Wooden nutcracker toys would be nice.

We go most years and there is often candle making

Thank you! I was on that thread and I'm doing this.

Salt dough decorations made by the kids left on the garden wall with a homemade German market sign inviting people to take one.

Giant pretzels

Hot spiced apple juice

Playlist

Firepit

Toasted marshmallows

Chestnuts 🌰

Hot chocolate

Chips in trays with mayo/curry

How could I forget Hot Chocolate and yes chips in trays. Will look in Lidl.

Don't forget the garlic mushrooms and fried potatoes?

Definitely make Glühwein.
I can't imagine being at a German market without drinking that.
If you prefer not to drink alcohol, it works just as well with alcohol free wine...I will be drinking lots of that this year!

Oooh! Sounds fab! Kinder Punsch perhaps? Out of interest where are you getting the spätzle from? My husband is German and grew up in Bavaria, we've never found it here though and it's a pain to make!

Got it from ebay £2.99 a bag

Our one always served the Gluhwein in little boots. Don't know if that's a universal thing but I'm sure they'll be on gumtree/Facebook/eBay.

Lebkuchen!

Off to search for drinking boots!

Feuerzangebowle. It makes 'normal' gluwein taste dull.

Every market we went to in Germany had fairground rides, gingerbread stalls and commemorative cups for the hot drinks. We have ones that look like terracotta plant pots.

Chips and ketchup.

Currywurst 😍

Great idea!

Greenery with white lights is very German. A Pyramide with the candles and the fan that turns the decorations round.

Oh, I LOVE Feuerzangenbowle, it's so pretty in the dark! Lethally alcoholic though!

Oooo, lovely idea!

Is it likely to be very cold where you live? How about slosh some water on the patio and hope it freezes for a mini ice skating rink? Im only half joking, it could be quite fun!

I like this idea very much! I wonder if I could use it in the girls' advent calendars somehow, to replace the 2 Christmas markets we would usually visit 🤔🤔

(Which other thread were you reading @I8toys?)

This one I think
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas/4028920-Going-insane-to-compensate-for-xmas-this-year

Thank you, I'll have a read after I've ironed the uniforms :)

For a truly authentic experience you need to invite your whole town into your living room, perhaps you could borrow some mannequins instead ? Seriously though, lovely idea. Don't forget crepes filled with chocolate and marzipan.