Why Weihnachtmärkte are the greatest things in the world

1. Germans go all out with decorating these markets. They make sure to include every small, intricate detail to make it look amazing. All the lights and decorations? Absolutely amazing.

Weihnachtsmarkt at Schloss Charlottenburg

2. There are so many delicious drinks! My new favorite drink might be Baileys in hot chocolate. No wait, it's a tie with Glühwein. And they serve it to you in these precious cups that you can keep (as long as you don't want your security deposit back). Perfect souvenirs!

Delicious hot chocolate in my cute cup!

3. All the shopping is amazing! There are so many vendors that have handmade jewelry, decorations, ornaments, toys, clothes, accessories -- and some of these things are incredibly detailed and beautiful. When I walk through these booths, I literally want to buy everything.

I may or may not have gotten a present here...

Some outdoor stalls selling wonderful German goodness

4. I'm surprised at how authentic everything is. It's pretty cool to see them brewing your Glühwein right in front of you while listening to a band play Christmas music and talking to a vendor who hand carved all their ornaments.

Brewing up some Glühwein

5. FOOD. Can I just pick up a German Christmas market and transport it to California with all of its food? I definitely had a gigantic chocolate covered pretzel. That's right, I said a chocolate covered pretzel. so good. And I got to sample some very expensive chocolate covered Lebkuchen. And there was a Polish stand selling pierogi and the lady thought it was very entertaining when my friend and I freaked out when we saw it. Any type of German cuisine is there from pretzels, cheese, sausages, roasted nuts, candy, chocolate, cookies, and cakes. 

My big chocolate covered pretzel

My mission is to hit up as many of these markets as possible!