'Tis the Season around the World

Mon cher Coco,

Eh oui...'tis the season! Just like me, I bet you too are finalizing the last preparations for the day, or days, or week of festive gatherings. My husband and I will be hosting this year's family Christmas dinner party, and we expect about 15 people to share their appetite and joy with us! While deciding on the last hors d'oeuvres to insert in my menu, I found this 1960s ad that put a big smile on my face. But, no. It would be too far a stretch from my ideal gourmet banquet...
No frozen banquet dinner for this Xmas! Instead, I am planning to complete my Christmas shopping with the purchase of a very traditional turkey. I saw big healthy birds at Toronto's St Lawrence food Market the other day, and I am going to get one tomorrow - before they all vanish into thin air, so to say.

Bouquets of carrots and roots at Toronto's St Lawrence Market, December 2009. My photo.

But what about you? I wonder where in the world your nearest market can be? Do you have any traditional ritual for Christmas?

Oh, but a wait a minute, talking of Christmas and Markets makes me think of Christmas markets! I will grant you the point that they sometimes can be irritatingly cheesy and overcrowded, but aren't they most of the time a good occasion to share the festive spirit with your loved ones?

Here is a selection of some of the Christmas markets that one can find around the world.

Strasbourg, France: More than 400 years in operation, the Christkindelsmärik is the largest Christmas market in France with a fantastic location on the Place Broglie, in front of Strasbourg Cathedral.

I went twice to this market, and enjoyed the experience to the full, munching on freshly made pretzels or sipping from a cup of mulled wine to defeat the cold. Christmas in Alsace is quite special!

Berlin: Ah, booming Berlin, what a swell swinging city! More than 60 markets are held each year throughout the city, including one in front of Charlottenburg Castle with carriage rides and theme exhibits in the palace that was built in the 17th and 18th centuries.
In the Gendarmenmarkt square, a classic Christmas market is held in December.
Cusco, Peru: Held Christmas Eve on Cusco's spacious Plaza de Armas, the market includes dozens of stalls selling craft items, especially clay nativity scene figurines as well as candies and other delicious edibles...On Christmas day, you can also attend the parade, which starts when the Christmas day mass in the Cathedral ends. The congregation bursts out intermingled with groups of dancers, accompanied by singing, drumming, whistling and chanting. I am most particularly attracted to this Christmas tradition..but my husband is Peruvian, this might explain that.

How would you like to spend Christmas day in Cusco, ancient city of the Incas? Watching a show of colourful dancers in the main square, and get in the festive spirit

Mexico City: Two of the traditional Christmas markets in this vast capital are centrally located. The Grand Bazaar Navideno of the Colonia Del Valle at the Lazaro Cardenas Market sells tree decorations made from tin, papier-mâché and wood as well as candles and figurines of every description. Another good bet is the one mounted around the Coyoacan Market.

Dolls for sale in the Coyoacan market

Chicago: The largest Christmas market in the United-States. Chicago's was inspired by Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt and is located dowtown Daley Plaza. Attracting more than a million visitors every year, the market is dominated by a large illuminated Christmas tree.

Umm, yes...this is in Chicago!

Krakow: Centred in Krakow's Rynek Glowny Square, the holiday market offers oplatek (Nativity-printed wafers), Polish honey cake, amber pieces, Bohemian glass, fur slippers and silver jewellery among other items.
Do you live near one of these markets? Have you ever attended one? Don't hesitate to leave your comments on the subject!

Source for this post: Article by John Fitzgerald, published in The Toronto Star on Thursday, November 19, 2009.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas Market time!