December in Munich

December in Munich is a magical time of year with all the advents markets popping up. The weather gets chilly, Nikolaus visits and Christmas, so many celebrations. Here is a list we have made with the help of parents:

December 

Christmas Markets 

-Rottach Egern 

--http://en.tegernsee.com/events/the-rottach-egern-christmas-market.html

-Schwabing 

--http://www.schwabingerweihnachtsmarkt.de/

-Marienplatz 

-Ramersdorf 

-Fraueninsel on Chiemsee 

--http://www.christkindlmarkt-fraueninsel.de/

Munich Indoors Equestrian En Garde 

-http://www.engarde.de/2006/index.php

Winter Tollwood 

-http://www.tollwood.de/

New Year's Eve 

-Tegernsee 

--http://en.tegernsee.com/events/new-years-eve.html

Ice skating on Stachus 

Luzienhaeuschenschwimmen 

-http://www.aus-liebe-zum-landleben.de/natur-erleben/calender/luzienhaeuschenschwimmen-fuerstenfeldbruck

BMW Kid's Sylvester 

-http://www.ganz-muenchen.de/shopping/auto/bmw_welt/veranstaltungen/2010/silvestergala_nacht_der_farben.html

Please let us know if you have gone to any of these events!

Snow, skiing, sledding, rentals in Munich

Snow! All about skiing, snowboarding, equipment rental, locations, sledging, lessons etc

Yes Munich is not far from the Alps and yes there are quite a few good hills around town. But where are the best? what do our parents recommend?

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Does anyone know if we could hire children's ski boots and skis for a longer period than just a day?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ParentsinMunich/permalink/10153115202542147/

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Hi PIM, what would be the best skiing for this Sunday where you can rent all equipment on site? tIA

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ParentsinMunich/permalink/10153099668877147/

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A question about ski equipment: where would be a good place to go to buy ski boots and helmets for adults?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ParentsinMunich/permalink/10153076795077147/

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I would like to take the kids skiing in Switzerland for a few days in February. What are the best hotels, drivable from Munich which are great for families and offer many activities

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ParentsinMunich/permalink/10152974402117147/

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'm thinking of taking my kids on a train trip to Garmisch. Has anyone given this ski-resort a non-skiing try? 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ParentsinMunich/permalink/10153104455417147/

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Could someone recommend a Great Spot outside munich ( within 30 min - max 1h drive )to sledge and / Or Ski for the Kids?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ParentsinMunich/permalink/10153043555222147/

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Any ideas where to go by train to enjoy some sledging or "baby"-skiing? 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ParentsinMunich/permalink/10153037557007147/

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Neubiberg/Waldperlach peeps. Any good sledging hills around

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ParentsinMunich/permalink/10153028793922147/

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Santa, Father Christmas, Nikolaus, the fat guy, the man with the presents in Munich

Whatever name the man has, however you envision him, he does visit Munich in many places.

Hard Rock Cafe offers two breakfast with Santa every year. Be sure to make reservations as it can get very full!

Santa sightings at Oberpollinger, Karstadt, Galeria Kaufhof, Rindermarkt Weihnachtsmarkt, Kunst&Spiel, Riem Arcaden, OEZ and PEP! If you see or hear about any more sightings, let us know!

Glenleiten offers Nikolaus and Krampus


Kik sell Santa suits for cheap. You can probably find them on amazon.de too among other places, do you have any recommendations?

A few years ago we had a very good discussion on explaining Santa, Kristkind, etc to your child. See this post.

If you are looking for scary Krampus, check out you local Adventsmarkt.


online

Portable North Pole offers a personalized message for every child via email

Visit this site to view Santa's reindeer!

Christmas Traditions in Bavaria and Munich

Bavarian Christmas Traditions

For those staying in Munich for Christmas, I've found some Bavarian Christmas traditions you may wish to adopt.

The 6th December is Nikolausday.

On that evening, Saint Nikolaus visits families and checks his golden book for who has been naughty and who has been nice. In the case of really bad behaviour, Saint Nikolaus is accompanied by the Krampus. The Krampus is a wild man dressed in dark fur. The Krampus doesn't hurt anyone, but is scary. Saint Nikolaus gives well-behaved children small gifts in their shoes (not socks) ready to be found & enjoyed the next morning. Note that Nikolaus is NOT the Weihnachtsmann, which means Santa Claus!

The Holy Night is Christmas Eve (24th December)

This is when the mother of the family brings in a tree into the home and decorates it in the traditional colours of green, red and gold (in secret) with the help of the Christkind (a kind of Christmas angel or spirit). When the tree is complete, the mother rings a bell to signify the tree is ready. The children and the father sees the decorated tree for the first time, and this is when all the presents are distributed. A family meal is then eaten, which is normally basic like sausages with potato salad. Later this evening (about 10pm), families go to church and sing Silent Night (in German, of course).

I hope I have translated properly and I haven't missed anything out!

What are your family traditions, whatever country you are from?

We have one of Santa's elves visit on Christmas Eve night, whilst little Tristan is in the bath, to give out a small present which will be brand-new pjamas (so he looks sparkly clean with new PJ's on Christmas Day morning when we'll do presents and photos).
Viccy

http://jellyroseyate.blogspot.de