Here are some ghosts of past Christmas markets in Vienna, where did they all go?

The first mention of a Christmas market in Vienna dates from 1626 in front of St. Stephen’s cathedral. There were bakers and gingerbread vendors selling their goods from the 16th December to the 9th January. Then over the centuries, others started emerging around Vienna getting bigger and selling more goods.

The only time there were no Christmas markets was during the two World Wars… and now!

We seem to be again in a war of sorts, with an invisible enemy that has changed our lives in a way we would have never believed possible.

So instead of strolling around, looking at Christmas decorations, drinking warm Glühwein and eating Lebkuchen, we are instead waiting for Amazon and other online store deliveries to knock on our doors or going around shops filled with crowds trying to get everything before the next lockdown.

And it is coming, right after Christmas and will last probably another month at least.

So in between what can we do? Try not to go crazy with shopping we feel we need, to endure never ending lockdowns and try to celebrate Christmas as a family but at the same time being careful to avoid infecting our elderly relatives.

It is important to celebrate and keep to our traditions. This is something precious we can pass to our younger generations in spite of all the difficulties right now.

I keep reading online that Christmas is cancelled or should be cancelled. I even saw how some people got criticised for posting pictures of public Christmas trees because in view of what is happening, some think money shouldn’t be spent on that and we should instead respect those who have left us.

But in my opinion because we respect our loved ones who departed, we should continue to celebrate in their honour, just as we always did. How many Christmases did those who leave celebrate? How many happy moments did they have with their families around a Christmas tree, sharing food and presents? They would not want want us to cancel Christmas and forget about all those happy memories we shared with them.

So I hope we remember who we are and how Christmas is a time for celebrating and sharing, not so much for shopping.

Christmas is that way ->

Just follow the snowman, the lights and the warmth of the hearts!

Merry Christmas from Vienna! Stay safe!