Christmas Market Finds: Unique and Local Ornaments

Hello, my fellow tripsters! Last year I wrote a post on all of my favorite ornaments. This year, I want to chat about all the unique and local ornaments I bought at the Christmas Markets during my 3-week excursion abroad!

If you’re new here, hi! My name is Alli and I quit my job in October to do some traveling. Over the past 3 weeks, I’ve been gallivanting around Holland, Belgium, Germany, and Austria!

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Christmas Market Finds: Unique and Local Ornaments

Considering this is my first year not working in retail, I actually get to enjoy the holiday spirit, this is the most fun I’ve had in years. The Christmas Markets have been nothing but brilliant holiday cheer. So much so, that I could squeal in delight!

Brussels

I’ve decided to go in order of my travels because, well, it makes the most sense but also because the first one is the MOST disappointing! I want to get it out of the way.

There weren’t any handmade, unique, or specialty ornaments at the Brussels market and I was so bummed. They had ornaments, but unfortunately, they looked like they were manufactured in China. Not that there is anything wrong with that. I normally get my ornaments at a gift shop but I was looking for ones that would be a little more special to mark my travels.

Thus, I didn’t buy one at all! So, now I’m going to see if I can find one on Etsy just to make sure I support someone local.

Bruges

I got really excited in Bruges because it was the first market that had a handmade ornament. Even though it was stamped and probably made of clay (and I saw similar ones in Vienna) I still bought it to support local. I love the look of it and it’s perfect for my tree.

Cologne

OH, Cologne! This was one of two markets that was filled to the brim with handmade items and I could barely choose! So much so that I bought two! Neither of them says Cologne because they’re glass blown beauties but I don’t care! I’ll either add a tag OR I will write Köln, Germany on the mushroom stem.

They make me so happy.

I also bought my mom a little gift from the black forest from here. I just know it’s the perfect gift. I wish I had purchased one for myself actually.

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Munich

Munich is another one that I bought at a stand but I later saw similar ones in gift shops throughout Germany. I’m not upset though because I have a very specific memory attached to it now.

I’m going to write “Munich” on the back of this little guy. I cherish him so much because he dances and my parents had a similar one on their tree when I was growing up.

This was a special market too because I ended up finding the handmade glass ornaments my dad’s mom had on her tree. They are SO special to us. I wanted to buy them all but they were 9.90 euros each. Ugh. I did get the website though so I may try and buy one every year. We’ll see but my sister and I were so excited I found them.

Salzburg

There were so many lovely stands at the Salzburg Christmas Markets but none of which had any unique ornaments. However, this was the most magical market to step into.

I picked up this lovely coo-coo clock with Santa hanging from a string! I absolutely LOVE it. Even though it wasn’t handmade.

Vienna

Oh Vienna! Packed with imperial delights and so many wonderful ornaments. There was one I almost purchased but I just couldn’t justify the cost. I now somewhat regret but I took a photo of it! I might try and buy it online later.

There was another one but it was big and I just didn’t love it cause it was of the palace.

On the last day when I’d given up hope, I found a lovely Austrian house ornament with gold trim and has a handwritten “Vienna” on it. Perfection!

Amsterdam

Now, I’ve already been to Amsterdam with my sister and we bought lovely ornaments from a shop before. However, this time, I was there during the markets. Unfortunately – it wasn’t open yet!

Womp womp.

Then I found these wooden shoes and thought “I can add a string to that!“. So, that’s what I’m going to do.

It’s less special because I found the exact same thing at the airport but, listen – I supported a local shop and I won’t feel bad about that!

I had the best time thinking of this as a challenge for myself. I really loved the ornaments I got this year and I’m excited to have the memories to go along with them for years to come!

Which one is your favorite??

I think mine is the little mushroom. 🙂