As far back as 1296, Vienna held the Dezembermarkt (or December Market in English). Shopkeepers in the city organized an outdoor market for a couple of days at the beginning of winter. It offered people the chance to stock up onsupplies needed to get through the cold months ahead. This was cause for celebration, and it gave the people in town the chance to buy food to enjoy over the holidays.
The custom caught on and winter markets started appearing all around Europe. It was not long before the stands started selling baskets, toys, and home decorations, along with treats like almonds, roasted chestnuts, and gingerbread. These markets quickly became associated with the holiday season and became popular places to shop for Christmas gifts..
As their connection to the holidays grew, the winter markets became known as Christmas markets. Originally called Nikolaimarkt , the market in Munich was officially renamedin 1806. However, the most famous of the recognized Christmas markets is the Striezelmarkt in Dresden, which dates back to 1434. To this day, it is still one of the most visited Christmas markets in Germany.
