Every year, Christmas markets delight the hearts of visitors all over the world... The most famous remains that of Strasbourg.... Indeed, Christmas traditions have been rooted in the customs of Alsatians for centuries. It was in the 16th century that the first Christmas market was held in Strasbourg during the evolution of the Germanic Empire.
Strasbourg belonged to the Rhine area whose Christmas traditions were very strong with the famous St Nicholas' Day, the Klausenmärik, where it was customary to buy sweets or wooden sculptures. It is at this time that gingerbread and crib appeared. In 1570, Alsace plunged into Protestantism, the famous Christkindelsmärik replaced the Klausenmärik, it was then Jesus who was celebrated by all.
And don't think that at that time Santa Claus was distributing gifts, and no, he wasn't invented yet. She was a beautiful young woman dressed in white and wearing a crown, Christkindel, who distributed gifts to the good children. At his side, a donkey carrying on his back the gifts and sweets to give to the children (hence the haystack in the corner of the crèche). It was not until the 20th century that Santa Claus and his elves appeared, incarnated by Coca Cola, who quickly became a star and spread the magic of Christmas all over the world.
Alsatians have always had these Christmas traditions, since November, they get together as a family to prepare the end of year celebrations as well as their famous bredeles, small shortbreads of all shapes and sizes. Some make their own Advent wreath, others prepare the crib, the fir tree with its garlands, mulled wine or gingerbread. Even today, all these traditions are still part of Alsatian life until December 24.
Its large Christmas tree, pretty wooden chalets, spicy smells, choirboys' songs, magical Christmas decorations and illuminations attract thousands of people to Alsace at this time of year. It is therefore an opportunity for local craftsmen to have a better visibility but also, for visitors, to find THE most original gift, or find good gift ideas for young and old.
So don't hesitate any longer, come and taste the famous mulled wine or Alsatian cider! For children, or people who prefer not to drink alcohol, a good hot apple juice with cinnamon will warm your taste buds...
You can also find many activities on site to entertain young and old, a Ferris wheel, an ice rink, rides and horse-drawn carriage rides will overwhelm you in the magical magic of Christmas. And of course, what better way to end this winter season than with a magnificent fireworks display!
Finally, to get you in the mood, don't hesitate to adhere to a tradition more and more integrated in the Christmas folklore: proudly displaying an "ugly sweater" representing a tree, a reindeer or a snowman and generally declined in green or red.
This Anglo-Saxon tradition from the 80's is now a real institution with its own international day (December 16th) and its numerous contests!
Detour of traditional codes (the beautiful family dinner outfit revisited in a shifted way), lever of cohesion in companies (nothing better than to see your boss with a totally kitsch sweater to conclude the year with humor) or even following this popular trend on social networks (where customizations of an old sweater are a hit): whatever the motivation, the ugly Christmas sweater is an item of clothing that brings people together and is therefore perfectly in the Christmas spirit.
Claire from Comme des Français
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Crédits photo : ©LPiccarreta / ©VZeler / ©AHefti / ©JDorkel
