There’s something about Christmas markets in Germany that everyone seems to hype up. I’d heard the stories, seen the pictures, and thought, It’s probably just another market with lights. The one in Bonn wasn’t my first; I’d visited one in Scotland before. But this? This was something else entirely. From the moment we arrived, I could tell it was going to be different.
I went with a friend, someone who’d been to plenty of these markets and knew the drill. For me, it was all new. The smells hit me first: mulled wine, roasted almonds, and something sweet I couldn’t quite place at first. And, of course, the unmistakable sizzle of bratwurst. It was like the air was trying to convince me I’d made the right choice coming here.
I didn’t want to look like a complete newbie, so I tried to act like I knew what I was doing. I’d never had mulled wine before. Warm wine just sounded odd to me; I wasn’t sure I’d like it. But my friend insisted, and well, when in Germany, right? I ordered my Glühwein, and the vendor handed it to me in a cute little mug. As I took my first sip, I thought… Okay, I see the hype. It was warm, spicy, and just perfect for the freezing weather.
And because I’m sentimental (or maybe just a little extra), I decided to keep the mug as a souvenir instead of returning it for the €2–€3 deposit, which is common at Christmas markets. When you buy a drink like Glühwein, the mug comes with a small refundable deposit. You can return it for your money back or do what I did. Now, it’s sitting proudly on my kitchen shelf, reminding me of that day every time I see it.
After the wine, we explored the stalls, and I had my first taste of Germany’s famous currywurst: Sausage with curry powder and ketchup—who knew something so simple could be so good? Absolutely delicious! I followed that up with a fish sandwich that was surprisingly good. By the time we made it to the roasted almonds, my hands were too full to grab anything else, but my friend kept pointing out desserts I had to try next time.
It wasn’t just the food or the stalls that made the market special; it was the atmosphere. Everywhere I looked, people were enjoying themselves. Kids were lining up for the Ferris wheel, their excitement so contagious. I watched one little boy clutching a crepe with Nutella, his face smeared with chocolate and joy. It was pure chaos, but the good kind, the kind that makes you smile. Even now, I’m smiling as I write this.
Back then, my kids weren’t with me, but now they are. This year, they get to experience it too, and I can’t wait to see their reactions. Will they love the Reibekuchen mit Apfelmus (crispy potato pancakes with apple sauce)? The currywurst? The twinkling lights and festive music? Definitely not the Glühwein, at least not on my watch! But maybe they’ll discover their own favourite snack or keepsake to treasure. Whatever it is, I know it’ll be special, just like it was for me that very first time.
