BERLIN, GERMANY
This December has been my most interesting one so far, but I guess I have been saying this for the last couple years. This year in particular, I am living in Berlin with my beautiful wife and have met some amazing friends and also discovered some glorious spaces in the German capital.
Those who know me even remotely well know that I love Christmas and everything that comes along with it. That's why I was most excited this year because I am here in what I consider the birthplace of modern-day Christmas, and you better believe I fully dived into the festivities and good times. I am sharing just four of my highlights that happened before the official Christmas days begin.
the christmas markets
I have had the wonderful blessing to visit Christmas Markets in Prague, Paris, Venice, and most of Germany in 2014 when we were planning for the wedding. But to do be able to just walk to a Christmas Market in the evening with Berlin friends - that has been amazing!
The smell of Glühwein, the sizzle of wurst, the beautiful huts, the giant Christmas Tree - all of these beautiful things put me in an instant holiday mood. We were so excited to be in Europe that we actually organized our very own Christmas Market Tour; we travelled to Stockholm, Oslo, Brussels, and of course different parts in Germany, to take it all in! I put together a small sampling of the markets in a video, have a look below.
christmas concert at the berliner dome
We realized that we had made a bit of a tradition to go to a Ballet / Play / Concert during Christmas Season, and especially to celebrate our "Christmas Anniversary" (which falls on December 5 every year). And so when I got the message from my wife if we were going to any performance this year, I realized that the best place to go in Berlin would be the world famous monument on Museum Island.
The Berlin Dome / Berliner Dome / Berlin Cathedral Church is a gorgeous Evangelical Supreme Parish and Collegiate Church in Berlin, Germany. The Boys Choir put on a beautiful "sing-along" Christmas concerts of famous Christmas carols from around the world; France, Spain, Switzerland, and of course Germany.
shopping at KaDeWe
In years past, (and with no offense to Calgary or Canada), I had been really strapped to find special unique designer pieces. For the most part, I would be digging through online sellers, Instagram accounts and American eCommerce websites hunting for this wallet or that bag in whatever color my wife was currently into.
So this is why I spent a ton of time at another world-famous German site: the Kaufhaus des Westens. Also called KaDeWe, this was the only place in Berlin where Berliners could get "products from the West" before the Wall came down. Now, it is the number one destination for all things high fashion. So you know I was there down KuDamm almost every week hunting for the perfect gift.
berlin friendsmas
Here in Berlin, not many young people have the luxury of family or old friends. Most of us have moved here for an exciting and vibrant life, and thankfully have also met others on the same journey. But over the holidays, there's nothing like spending some quality time with those near and dear, right?
This is how Friendsmas came to be: to celebrate Christmas together without actually spending Christmas together. we got together with our super dope Berlin friends and cooked together, drank gluhwien and played games. It was a great opportunity to see that no matter where you are in the world, good times are not hard to find.
So I would have to say this Berlin Christmas has been full of beautiful moments, and definitely also a lot of firsts. Lucky for me, I enjoy the change of scenery and circumstance, because as long as my one constant is always by my side (read: gorgeous and supportive wife) then it doesn't really matter what we do, or where, or with whom.
What are some of your favourite holiday moments?
