Christmas market in Winter Wonders

Craft enthusiasts and gourmets will be able to taste typical gastronomic delights presented in the stalls of many exhibitors. This year, like previous ones, the atmosphere of the Christmas market is complemented by ongoing events: live music, rides... And to stay warm nothing like a glass of "mulled wine" to keep you going! Braving the weather, we at BrussesLife.be, bundled in warm clothes, have walked up and down the Brussels Christmas Market to give you our selection of chalets sorted by "coup de coeur"...

Pleasures of the season

We did start this journey on the steps of the "Bourse" and were directly attracted by a huge collection of figurines, called Santons from Provence (chalet B05). A few chalets from there, we stopped in front of pretty coloured lanterns (chalet B08). A little further (chalet B31), we had our eyes set on charming animated wooden mangers.

After further thought, we understand that it is the heat produced by the candles which activates the mechanism! Cruel dilemma: a Santon or a new manger? We shall see later! For the time being, there are more important matters to take care of: we are hungry ...

Gourmet pleasures

Let's face it, a trip to the Christmas market goes well with some indulging. Mulled wine here, oysters there, then a small slice of foie gras ... Difficult to leave the "Bourse" and the Food Plaza with its forest of people eating while standing. Let's just have a small sandwich with real raclette cheese (chalet F47) washed down with an endive flavoured peket (chalet F44M). Or maybe just a "Tartiflette " which is a combination of potatoes, cheese, bacon, all cooked in white wine. Even though it is cold, this typical winter gourmet food warms us. We cannot not return home empty handed so let's go to (chalet B36 ) to bag a cougnou. When crossing the Boulevard Anspach, caution is needed ... We're on our way to Sainte Catherine through Chinatown decorated with floating balls of light installed for the occasion.

Pleasures to treat

Our houses are decorated and our bellies are full, let's not be selfish, the pleasure of giving is probably the most rewarding. The old docks of Brussels offer goods from any origin. It's difficult to choose and we have at first been seduced by Inuit and Amerindian art: dream catchers, peace shields and Indian dolls ... You will certainly find something to please your entourage ( chalet V122 ). We have then hesitated to go for gently kitsch Russian decor from the chalet (V042) located next to Sainte-Catherine subway. And finally for old mechanical toys reproduced identically at Claire Damereau chalet. You will find chicken, bird, squirrel ranging from 5 to 20 euros depending on their size.

Our favourite happened to be the "Made in Brussels" t-shirts which can be found at (chalet V100 ) and which combine humour and ingenuity through their proposed messages. Your French friends will no doubt love their national hymn freely transformed into « Allons enfants de la brasserie, le jour de boire est arrivé » while you will try to convert them to the "100% Belgian." One t-shirt for 10 euros, 3 for 25. On this side of the market, the pleasures of the mouth are not neglected either! But stay aware and monitor your consumption of mulled wine!

Cupcakes can be found at (chalet V078) Merci la Terre but be aware that they are actually little soaps while those proposed by Emilie, on top of being beautiful, are actually edible! In the middle of it all you will find the ice-skating rink where you can get rid off the excess calories accumulated on a day filled with pleasures ....