The Floozy Gets Festive (Frankfurt Christmas Market (Birmingham ))

Member Name: sunshine-smile

Product:	Frankfurt Christmas Market (Birmingham )
Date:	21/11/08 (342 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Unusual gifts, a lovely festive atmosphere

Disadvantages: Gets crowded and can be cold!

Today I want to tell you about the lovely time I had at the Frankfurt Christmas Market, which is now bringing some festive colour to Birmingham city centre. This market has become a very popular feature in the last few years. Frankfurt and Birmingham are twinned, so not only is this market an unusual and enjoyable shopping experience, it is also a way for people from the 2 cities to meet and share some of their Christmas traditions.

The market begins towards the top end of New Street. If you are familiar with the city, this is around where Habitat is located and is only a few minutes walk from New Street Station. There are 90 stalls, stretching up past the fountain which we locals know as the 'Floozy in the Jacuzzi', and into the square beside the recently restored Town Hall. The stalls are little wooden chalets, and all are decorated so nicely that from the moment you arrive you sense a very Christmassy atmosphere. There is such a wonderful selection of stalls that I cannot list every single thing that they sell, but there are many which have beautiful silver jewellery, traditional German Christmas decorations, carved wooden toys, pretty candles, ornaments, crystals, pottery mugs, knitted hats, herbs and spices, handmade soaps, and crafts of all kinds. Although the market is mainly German in style, there are also many items from other countries, for example Nepalese singing bowls, and African carvings. And then there is the food! The air is full of the smells of sausages, frying onions, candyfloss, chestnuts, hot crepes, cider and beer. Gluhwein is available (hot wine with spices) for those who like it, but having tried a sip I wasn't keen. It is too sweet for me, reminding me a bit of childhood medicines. My friend and I shared a portion of proffertjes (I think I have the spelling about right) - these are like tiny pancakes, served with a choice of toppings. We had the chocolate and vanilla sauce topping with icing sugar sprinkled over the top. There are also cherry toppings, apple, and so many more that I cannot remember! It is so nice to wander around the stalls while eating a nice hot snack to warm you up. You can also buy German breads, chocolates, gingerbread and stollen.

We visited the market on a weekday, but even so it was fairly busy, especially around lunchtime. But all the stallholders who we talked to still took the time to chat to us about where they had come from, and tell us more about the items on their stall. Of course I'm sure they are hoping to make a sale, but it's pleasant to have this friendly atmosphere in the market and such a different experience from shopping in the chain stores at the opposite end of New Street.

What did we buy? Although we were tempted by many things we were both pretty restrained on this occasion, coming away with only a few Christmas decorations. I know I will be visiting the market at least once more this year, so I made a mental note of which stalls I would like to have a second browse around. This is a great opportunity to find special presents which you would not get anywhere else, but even if you don't buy much it is an enjoyable event to visit. It costs you nothing just to walk around and soak up the seasonal air.

There are a couple of rides for children - one is a helter skelter and the other is a carousel. Some years there has been a Santa's Grotto but we didn't see one this time. There is also a bandstand and various events go on there - carol singing and brass bands playing, though I think these are more in the evenings and at weekends.

The market is on until December 23rd, from 10a.m. to 9p.m every day. If you are in reach of Birmingham this is your chance to see the biggest German-style market outside of Germany or Austria! One cautionary thing I must mention is that, like most cities, Birmingham has its fair share of pickpockets and at this busy time of year it is worth taking special care of your bags and wallets. There were a lot of police at the market when we visited, which hopefully will help deter criminals, but please take sensible precautions and don't let thieves spoil your Christmas.

If you want more details about the market, including parking and travel details the website is at

http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/frankfurtchristmasma rket.bcc

Summary: A great place to find presents and enjoy hot German food