Lunch break

Area workers and those traversing through the city center stop for a bite to eat or chat with friends at the Rindermarkt. Having such a mild winter occasionally means blue skies and sunny days, which are happily accepted everywhere.

Costs of Christmas

While recently perusing a German financial magazine I read a small blurb stating many market vendors make 50,000 euros during the Christmas Markets, proving this is certainly a big business. It does make sense considering the glühwein mark up is so steep. Many of the christmas wares are also imported from less expensive countries, like Poland.

Manger Markt

One of Germany's largest Manger markets is located at the Rindermarkt. There people can stock up on the most intricate pieces to add to their sprawling mangers. Those accents don't come cheap. Pictured here a small metal milk jug costs 3 euros.

Shortly before the year 1600 is when the Christmas mangers started to make their appearance in Munich. Some cities around Germany even have living nativities.

Those with an interest in these carefully planned nativities may enjoy the Krippenweg tours around the churches downtown, which goes until early February 2011.

Krampus Run

One of my favorite aspects of the Christmas Market was this afternoon - the Krampus Run. It's a bizarre, yet fun ritual that focuses on the darker aspect of Christmas with the Sparifankerl Pass.

The creepy Krampus inspire everyone to behave and this alpine tradition goes back some 500 years. Krampus was theoretically a friend of St. Nicholas who helped take care of those that didn't stay in line.

If you missed the run today, don't fret - there will be another Krampus run throughout the Marienplatz and Manger Markt at the Rindermarkt on December 19th from 4:00-5:00pm. Be forewarned that if you look naughty the Krampus might just give you a smack with their switches.