Nicola Humphrey is on a quest for a Christmas pickle.
To be honest, I dont even know if the Christmas pickle exists, she says of her quest to find everything on her fathers wish list. My dad is a pretty funny guy, and even though hes German, this could be something that he came up with and not necessarily a German tradition.
Well, Nicola can rest easy. On Nov. 24, the third annual Vancouver Christmas Market will open from 11am to 9pm everyday until Dec. 24. Amongst the twinkle lights, wooden huts, Christmas trees and the carousel, the founder of the market guarantees there will be more than one Christmas pickle to choose from.
I grew up in Germany and had never heard of this pickle, Malte Kleutz says. It wasnt until I started the market that I had people asking me if they would be available.
It seems this is a new German tradition found only outside of the homeland. As it goes, when parents decorate the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve and pile the gifts beneath, they also hide a tiny glass pickle ornament on the tree. When the children are invited in to see the decorations and open presents, they also try to find the pickle. The lucky winner gets a special treat.
Kleutzs happy to learn about this new Christmas tradition and hopes that Vancouverites enjoy the Christmas market for what he loves about it coming together with friends, taking in the atmosphere, enjoying the lights and, of course, a cup of Gluevwein. Arts and crafts vendors from as far away as Germany will present a wide variety of ornaments and gifts Christmas pickles, included. Food vendors will have stollen, bratwurst, and baked apples with vanilla sauce, to name a few German Christmas favourites.
When he moved to Vancouver, Kleutz couldnt believe there was no Christmas market. In Germany, every town has one and within big cities, there is often a market in each neighbourhood. In Germany, you really cant help but go to a Christmas market they are everywhere, he says.
Every night, Kleutz will be at the Market and hes made it easier for all of us to join him with the purchase of one ticket, free reentry to the market is granted at anytime throughout the month.
Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza | VancouverChristmasMarket.com | November 24 to December 23, 11am to 9pm; December 24, 11am to 6pm | Children under 6 are free, adults $5.
Win two tickets to the market at WEVancouver.com/contests.
