Weihnachtsmaerkte (Christmas Markets). The oldest German Christmas market is held in Nuernberg. The 'Christkindlesmarket' (Christ Child MArket) begins each year an the Friday closest to St. Barbara's day (December 4) and last until Christmas Eve. Other traditional markets are in Munich the 'Muenchner Kripperlmarkt (Munich Crib market) and the Dresdner Striezlmarkt, which originally only sold natives scenes and Christstollen. Today, Christmas markets can be found in about all towns in Germany. They sell a range of Christmas food, presents, decorations, Christmas trees, gold foil decorations, candles, candle holders, Christmas tree ornaments and other hand made crafts. What ever the size of the Christmas market, it is always surrounded by the smell of gingerbread, roasted almonds, hot chestnuts, sausages with rolls, and the Gluehwein (mulled wine). Doesn't matter how cold it is on the market if you drink the mulled wine you will stay warm. Also the scent of fresh cut Christmas trees, transform children and adults alike of a special feeling of banishing all cares and worries. You will get in to the christmas spirit when you visit the Christmas Market. Katharina _____________________________________________________________________________________ Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com