Yes, I think so! We now have a new Christmas Tradition in Edinburgh!
Not only do we have to visit Santa Claus, and see the big Christmas Tree in Jenners, but we now also visit the Christmas Markets. With just a little flurry of snow it can be quite magical in the great build up to Christmas Day and makes present buying a real family event.
Most Edinburgh Folk and tourists know about the German Market, at the Mound Precinct, where all the stalls and stall holders are genuinely from Germany. Here you will find Christmas presents just that little bit different from those on most high streets. Handcrafted toys, garments, decorations, jewellery, sweets, the list goes on, and on….and of course traditional German foods, both to eat there and to take home. My favourite is the Stollen Cake sold by weight, each year we buy a larger piece and it's still gone by Christmas Eve! Hot food and Gluhwein stalls abound, and encourage visitors to linger and enjoy the atmosphere. Not as well known however, is the Highland Village Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens. Located right next to the German Market, this market offering traditional Scottish fare and crafts is also well worth a visit, both for locals and visitors to the city. Here you can try the famous Aberdeen Angus Burgers, have a wee nip of *Glayva, and get your Black Bun ready for Hogmanay. I personally stocked up on the homemade jams (preserves), honey and home-baking, all beautifully wrapped and ready to go into the hampers for my elderly relatives. That is the people who have everything, and are very difficult to buy for! (There were Christmas Hampers ready made up for sale but I prefer to do my own.) It is also a great place for our self catering guests staying at Anne House Apartments to browse and often try before they buy. Both Markets are open 10.00-20.00 Sun-Wed and 10.00-22.00 Thurs-Sat
While the German Market closes on 24th December the Highland Village Market is open until 4th January, but closing at 18.00 31st December,(something to do with the visitors to the city for the Hogmanay Celebrations I imagine).
If you cannot find what you want on the markets, simply cross to the other side of Princes Street where Jenners, (known as Edinburgh's Harrods), have a Gift Department, open all year. While it might be "the thought that counts", Marks and Spencer is right next door, and they as you probably know, have an excellent returns policy, just make sure to get a gift receipt!
Happy Shopping!
* 6-21st Dec
