GERMANY: Christmas market visitors in Heidelberg buy last minute gifts, enjoy mulled wine

Record ID: 779128

  • Title: GERMANY: Christmas market visitors in Heidelberg buy last minute gifts, enjoy mulled wine
  • Date: 23rd December 2012
  • Summary: HEIDELBERG, GERMANY (DECEMBER 22, 2012) (REUTERS) VIEW ACROSS RIVER NECKAR TO OLD TOWN OF HEIDELBERG IN SOUTHERN GERMANY PAN FROM WOODEN "CHRISTMAS PYRAMID" TO STALLS AT CHRISTMAS MARKET COUPLE AT STAND DRINKING "GLUEHWEIN" (pron.: GLOO-wine) OR MULLED WINE VARIOUS OF CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS WALKING PAST IN OLD TOWN
  • Embargoed: 7th January 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA1V0NU0YCIB56CS8BVSHMMFLR8
  • Story Text: For many Germans, a trip to the Christmas market before celebrations on the evening of December 24 have become a ritual -- and for some, a necessity to search for that last minute gift.
    The picturesque town of Heidelberg in the south of the country is one of hundreds across Germany and also one of the most beautiful ones, thanks to its historic setting in the city's old part.
    With the arrival of the cold weather Christmas markets are a familiar picture all over Germany, with vendors selling everything from handicraft to grilled sausages and mulled wine known as "Gluehwein" (pron.: GLOOvine).
    On Saturday (December 22), one visitor to the Heidelberg Christmas market was Gloria Immenroth who appeared less stressed than she said she was.
    "In fact, you just caught us during last minute shopping," she said with a smile.
    "We are still short of a few presents. We tend to make small gifts this year, nothing big," Immenroth said, adding "they are small things that come from the heart."
    Roswitha Fechtner just came for a stroll around the colourful food and handicraft stalls, saying "all I want for Christmas is a healthy offspring. Our daughter is expecting any day now and to us, that's the biggest Christmas present."
    Cci Xinqi visited from China and said she was surprised to see how the inhabitants of her host country change during the holiday period.
    "Normally, Germans are very cold but when it's Christmas, they are friendly and great. And I also like the Gluehwein," she said.
    And Saji Abbusi from the United States simply said "I love the food and the Gluehwein and all the ornaments and pottery and different things to buy."
    Christmas markets are open until December 24, the day Germans traditionally celebrate Christmas.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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