Schaffhausen in December

Schaffhausen in December | Ecency

I think you know already that I love Christmas time. I'm not talking about a couple of days when we celebrate, but about the entire month of December filled with ornaments, lights, markets, and quality time spent with family.

We never celebrate the holidays in Switzerland, and there is not much expected from me besides some help at my mom's or in-law's place. The only thing that I have to take care of are presents for our loved ones, so it's probably the most relaxing time of the year. I plan in advance, and then it's only about finding what I have in mind.

Every year, I decorate our apartment even though we don't celebrate here, but I like the festivity of these days. We don't have a Christmas tree, but I make a wreath to hang on the door and another one to place on our dining table. I also make some garlands that I hang in the hall and in the living room. I love making those! All is ready for this year, so now I'm enjoying my second favourite activity which is visiting different cities and enjoying their festive atmosphere.

Today, I'll take you around Schaffhausen!

In Switzerland, it is typical that there are restaurants built for the holidays. The construction starts right after Halloween, and then they are removed again at the end of the year. They usually serve Swiss specialties such as fondue or raclette which are very popular during the cold months. The one that we have in Schaffhausen is called Bockalp, and it resembles a chalet from the Swiss Alps. Usually, it comes with a small ice rink as well, but I think it's too warm this year, so they skipped it. I'm always excited when it's built because it changes the empty square into something magical. However, I have to say that I've never been inside because the smell of cheese is so strong that it puts me off.

The Swiss cities like to decorate their streets with fairy lights resembling the stars. Schaffhausen is a small city, so there is only one kind of fairy lights, but Zurich has them in various sizes and colours. I always wonder how they place them so quickly. You come to the city one day and there is nothing, the next morning there are fairy lights hanging all of the old town.

The lights are on all day long, but they don't look so impressive during the day...

However they change into something magical as soon as it gets dark. We have the same fairy lights every year, but it never gets boring.

We used to live at this square with the Christmas tree right in front of our windows. You might think that it sounds cool, but it is not. Every single event (including concerts and festivals) that is organized in the city happens on this square, and the noise is unbearable (This is the only reason why we moved out). Although, I have to admit that I enjoyed looking out of the window in December 😊

It's like another place at night...

There are fairy lights on the trees everywhere and as I mentioned it all happens over night like magic...

The Christmas market in Schaffhausen is special because it is held at the former monastery. It's an impressive building and walking around the stands with traditional crafts and arts transports you hundreds of years back in time...

Let's have a look!

We start our tour at stands with drinks. We had to take the opportunity early in the day because the later it gets the more people are queuing and waiting for their drinks. In the past it was difficult to get something without alcohol, but luckily these days it is fairly easy to order a delicious warm and fruity punch...

Stands with food and drinks are built outside of the monastery. Each year there are more and more options, and you can get there anything starting with sausages and fries, and ending with some international options, such as Thai, Vietnamese or even Argentinian food...

This would be my husband's dream - get a retro van and sell delicious food at markets all year around...

There is also an entertainment for kids, and if I would be many many years younger I would love this carousel ride!

Let's go to the stands!

I will show you only a few of them, so that it doesn't get boring...

The perfect place to sell decorations...

I liked that they were selling the base of the wreath and everyone can decorate it as they please.

Some sellers were probably cold and not very chatty. I can understand that as it was a very cold day.

Others were smiling and passionately explaining details about their products. I can tell you that we bought more soaps than we can use in a long time!

There were various bands taking care of music. I could stand there for hours listening to them...

This is what I mean when I say that the market is held at the monastery...

There is a large cloister, and the stands were all around it...

I loved the design of the stands. The sellers could decorate them the way they like - some of them had little to no decoration while others went over board...

Every time, I look for stands with ceramics to get some inspiration and see what other potters are doing. Maybe one day I will have my stand here too!

A few more stands...

We spent all afternoon in the city, and we still didn't feel like going home, so we jumped in the car and drove to Siblingen to a restaurant that we've wanted to visit for a long time. It's built in an old train wagon!