Here in Austria, the task of delivering the toys to all of the good little Kinder falls to the Christkind. The Christkinder are the holiday sprites who spirit the toys into the house while the children are being distracted by parents or grandparents. The goods won't come unless the real kids are out of the way. Walk most around most any neighborhood on Christmas Eve and you will spot a grandparent or two herding a few kinder along the sidewalk or through the park. They are keeping the tykes busy and out of the house whilst someone else plays the role of the Christkind on the home-front.
I was surprised to learn that the Christkind are actually an invention of Martin Luther. During the Protestant Reformation, Luther cooked up the Christkind story to take the wind out of the sails of the Catholic Saint Nikolas. Regardless, the Christkind are the main gift bearers in Germany, Austria, lots of what used to be called Eastern Europe and even parts of South America. During these modern times of mass media, the Christkind are facing competition from the advertising invasion of images of the American version of Santa Claus.
Yes, Marco, and what does that have to do with anything?
Behold, the Spittelberger Christkindlmarkt! Named after the Christkind, as many of the Christmas Markts are, this is one of the really special holiday treats here in Wien. The market is nestled amongst a few small lanes weaving back and forth through the 7th District of Vienna.
Enough history about the gift giving midgets, let's get on with the party. Hot punch, lots of nosh, and shopping, that's what we are about here, not history lessons! So, without further ado...
What says "Froh Weihnachten" louder than holiday lights, a crisp cold evening and a happy crowd?
Kaesekrainer hotdog and a baked potato in garlic sauce, that's what! Okay, yes, AND the holiday lights. And punch, lots of hot punch. Right, right, the Lights and the crowd and the punch. But I'm here to tell you, the garlic sauce doesn't take anything away from the whole scene.
And... back to the punch drinking. I had a lovely hot ginger and lemon concoction sans alcohol, natch, but most everyone else was imbibing a bit more in the way of a holiday spirit. While the Schonebrunn Markt was great, the Spittelberger was the real deal, with lots more locals than tourists and an absolutely magical setting. Up and down the small walking streets, the Markt wove through the evening on an intimate scale, seeming more like a village than a Stadt. The stalls offered libations, big nosh, small nosh, sweet nosh and a wide assortment of crafts and gifts. In the small world department the only coffee stall in the Markt was manned by the gent from the new coffee roaster that I had found that morning.
It was another magical holiday evening here in Wien. I love Christmas in this town!! What a hoot!
I was surprised to learn that the Christkind are actually an invention of Martin Luther. During the Protestant Reformation, Luther cooked up the Christkind story to take the wind out of the sails of the Catholic Saint Nikolas. Regardless, the Christkind are the main gift bearers in Germany, Austria, lots of what used to be called Eastern Europe and even parts of South America. During these modern times of mass media, the Christkind are facing competition from the advertising invasion of images of the American version of Santa Claus.
Yes, Marco, and what does that have to do with anything?
Behold, the Spittelberger Christkindlmarkt! Named after the Christkind, as many of the Christmas Markts are, this is one of the really special holiday treats here in Wien. The market is nestled amongst a few small lanes weaving back and forth through the 7th District of Vienna.
Enough history about the gift giving midgets, let's get on with the party. Hot punch, lots of nosh, and shopping, that's what we are about here, not history lessons! So, without further ado...
What says "Froh Weihnachten" louder than holiday lights, a crisp cold evening and a happy crowd?
Kaesekrainer hotdog and a baked potato in garlic sauce, that's what! Okay, yes, AND the holiday lights. And punch, lots of hot punch. Right, right, the Lights and the crowd and the punch. But I'm here to tell you, the garlic sauce doesn't take anything away from the whole scene.
And... back to the punch drinking. I had a lovely hot ginger and lemon concoction sans alcohol, natch, but most everyone else was imbibing a bit more in the way of a holiday spirit. While the Schonebrunn Markt was great, the Spittelberger was the real deal, with lots more locals than tourists and an absolutely magical setting. Up and down the small walking streets, the Markt wove through the evening on an intimate scale, seeming more like a village than a Stadt. The stalls offered libations, big nosh, small nosh, sweet nosh and a wide assortment of crafts and gifts. In the small world department the only coffee stall in the Markt was manned by the gent from the new coffee roaster that I had found that morning.
It was another magical holiday evening here in Wien. I love Christmas in this town!! What a hoot!
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