Let’s begin in Germany, where the world-famous Christmas Markets await you. Dating back to the late Middle Ages, these markets offer gingerbread, mulled wine, and gifts galore. You’ll find music, carousels, and crafts, and a festive atmosphere in cities like Berlin, Cologne, Nuremberg, and Munich. Don’t forget to grab a wooden nutcracker or a glass ornament to add to your Christmas tree ornaments collection.
Heading West to Paris, France, brings us to the famous Champs-Élysées market. From mid-November to January, many chalets set up, selling local delicacies, artisanal crafts, and gifts. Paris also hosts numerous ice rinks, spectacles, and cultural events throughout December. With romantic vibes all over Paris, you can also make a date out of the city's magical winter lights.
In Italy, the Advent season starts with the Immaculate Conception day on 8th December. From then on, the Christmas festivities are in full swing until the Epiphany or Three Kings' Day on 6th January. Visiting Rome’s Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica, which also celebrates its patron saint’s day on 29th November, is an excellent way to witness this religious tradition. Get a loved one some traditional Italian Panettone or Pandoro to share over dinner.
Move to Spain for an exciting pre-Christmas festival, Santa Lucia, on 13th December, marking the start of the Catalan Christmas. From then on, you will experience parades, processions, and special food traditions leading up to the Feast of the Three Kings, called Epiphany, on 6th January. Barcelona and Madrid cities are noted for their unique Christmas markets, selling a variety of artisan crafts and local foods like turron.
Lastly, we cannot forget about the United Kingdom which celebrates Guy Fawkes Night on 5th November, which entails bonfires, fireworks, and treacle toffee fun. Christmas lights illustrate the city streets of London, while Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland comes alive with ice skating, market stalls, ice bars, and fairground rides, making it an unmissable event. A personalized Christmas ornament could be a perfect memento from London to share.
Europe boasts events that captivate both locals and visitors alike with traditional celebrations, food, and lights that make this time of the year special. At The European Gift Store, you'll find gift collections of all these popular traditions in Western Europe. From the German Nutcracker to Italian Panettone, from the Spanish Turron, the French Eiffel Tower, and the English Christmas ornament, there's something for everyone. Choose from our gift collection to make your holidays more memorable and bring a piece of Europe to you.