FabSwingers.com forum: The dislike for Christmas Markets

By *unandgamegeek OP Man
over a year ago

Bolton

I know it's a bit early to talk about anything Christmasy but what I find puzzling is that some people seem to have a dislike for Christmas markets.

Whenever articles on upcoming Christmas markets come up each year especially on Facebook, the same negative comments pop up going on about how the markets are overpriced, too busy or full of "tat". It makes me wonder if these people that complain about the Christmas markets probably do the same when they go to theme parks and complain about how busy or overpriced everything is.

Personally, I love going to Christmas markets especially in Manchester and York and yeah, they can be busy but I've always found the prices on both food and gift stalls to be quite reasonable.

What do you think?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I don’t like them, they’re overcrowded, and overpriced.

I’m happy for those that like them, and don’t begrudge their joy at them.

You won’t find me there.

Not much to be puzzled about.

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By *obilebottomMan
over a year ago

All over

I like the german ones but have not been to one for a while.

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By *aitonelMan
over a year ago

Travelling

Too many people to be enjoyable

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By *ohnboy64Man
over a year ago

Blackpool

Garbage

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

"Too many people to be enjoyable "

This. They're a complete hazard as a wheelchair user.

Also overpriced, poor quality tat and cheap, inauthentic food being sold at re-mortgagable prices.

It's a hard no from me.

I abhor the Manchester markets because they cause chaos on the roads just at the time I'm trying to get home from work and makes me late in collecting my daughter from after school club. I can't leave work any earlier.

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By *egDaySkipperMan
over a year ago

Liverpool

People who don't like Xmas markets have no soul!

Ya'll going to hell if you don't go to one every year and have some mulled wine and a bratwurst!

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By *ohnboy64Man
over a year ago

Blackpool

"People who don't like Xmas markets have no soul!

Ya'll going to hell if you don't go to one every year and have some mulled wine and a bratwurst!"

Still garbage.

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

"People who don't like Xmas markets have no soul!

Ya'll going to hell if you don't go to one every year and have some mulled wine and a bratwurst!"

I'm already condemned to the eleventy thousandth circle of hell anyway.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I used to love going to the Manchester Christmas markets when my kid was small and they were new and the things they sold at them were of a better quality .. Now they seem to spread over the whole city, and the stalls are full of tat and overpriced food and drink

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By *ellinever70Woman
over a year ago

Ayrshire

I think they're a nice way of getting into the festive spirit

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By *ornucopiaMan
over a year ago

Bexley

I loathe anything to do with Christmas.

Why not include the relatively new emergence of these markets as well?

..and don't get me started on bloody halloween, either!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I fancy going to the Edinburgh one this year though I did find it really busy at the Fringe this year, so hoping to get a day off and do it week day/night instead of weekend.

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By *ora the explorerWoman
over a year ago

Paradise, Herts

Love them! I love everything Christmassy. I LOVE Christmas!

Halloween can do one though

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I need a man to take me to a Xmas market and drink mulled wine with me.

Pleeeeeaaassseeeeeeeee.

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By *ife NinjaMan
over a year ago

Dunfermline

Love Christmas. The markets can be hit or miss. Lots of overpriced tat and expensive food. I'm off to buy new Chris lights this week

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I need a man to take me to a Xmas market and drink mulled wine with me.

Pleeeeeaaassseeeeeeeee. "

I would do anything for lust, but I won’t do that!

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By *unandgamegeek OP Man
over a year ago

Bolton

"I think they're a nice way of getting into the festive spirit "

Indeed as the one thing I love about the Christmas markets is the atmosphere.

York became my new favourite place to go at Christmas when I went last year as the atmosphere there made me feel like I stepped into A Christmas Carol.

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By *unandgamegeek OP Man
over a year ago

Bolton

"Love Christmas. The markets can be hit or miss. Lots of overpriced tat and expensive food. I'm off to buy new Chris lights this week

I'm keeping an eye out for somewhere that has a 6ft inflatable snowman for sale lol

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By *ily WhiteWoman
over a year ago

I don't like Christmas, I don't like shopping, and I don't particularly like busy, peopley places...Christmas markets are a hard no from me.

We did visit the Manchester one a couple of years ago whilst in town for the MLS, and I can say that nothing apart from odd items of food even remotely interested me.

It is, however, the only time that a sausage has ever defeated me

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By *ad NannaWoman
over a year ago

East London

I loved the Bruges Christmas markets.

There were stalls with food, clothing, baubles etc and all Christmas themed, plus the place itself was lit up and decorated beautifully.

The only thing that looked tacky was the one large inflatable Father Christmas next to the ice skating rink.

The Christmas Market on the South Bank in London was mostly food that was nothing to do with Christmas whatsoever.

I was rather disappointed as it looked more like a pop up food fayre.

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By *ad NannaWoman
over a year ago

East London

"I think they're a nice way of getting into the festive spirit

Indeed as the one thing I love about the Christmas markets is the atmosphere.

York became my new favourite place to go at Christmas when I went last year as the atmosphere there made me feel like I stepped into A Christmas Carol."

You should visit Bruges at Christmas, it's beautiful.

The canal boat ride was a nice experience too.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Love walking around them, taking in the sounds and smells - at £6+ for 100grams of special Christmas candies, that’s all I’ll ever do!

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By *oadsafun1960Man
over a year ago

Somerset & Hertfordshire

I've been going for some years, with a friend, to the Birmingham Christmas market, but the last two years have seen it decline, fewer gift type stalls and more drink and food stalls at silly prices. I had the hotel booked but have now cancelled and won't be going this year.

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By *929Man
over a year ago

newcastle

Haven’t ever been to one so haven’t a clue what they like, idea sounds nice though

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By *ad NannaWoman
over a year ago

East London

"Love walking around them, taking in the sounds and smells - at £6+ for 100grams of special Christmas candies, that’s all I’ll ever do!"

The South Bank one was expensive so we didn't buy anything. In Bruges we ate Bratwurst and drank gluewein or hot chocolate with Amaretto.

The Flemish stew with apple sauce and fries was amazing too.

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By *aissez-faireMan
over a year ago

Right behind you…. Boo

Covid came from a Christmas market …..

Or was it a Chinese market. I wish I hadn’t speed read the article now.

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central

I like the ones abroad but not a fan of the UK ones

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By *eliWoman
over a year ago

I like them. Not the big ones in cities but the smaller, non massed produced stalls with local florists who do amazing wreaths and great food. The one in Knutsford is lovely.

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By *ohnboy64Man
over a year ago

Blackpool

"Covid came from a Christmas market …..

Or was it a Chinese market. I wish I hadn’t speed read the article now. "

Close. It was a Chinese Christmas market...in Ong Kong.

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By *ndycoinsMan
over a year ago

Whaley Bridge,Nr Buxton,

"Too many people to be enjoyable

This. They're a complete hazard as a wheelchair user.

Also overpriced, poor quality tat and cheap, inauthentic food being sold at re-mortgagable prices.

It's a hard no from me.

God forbid anyone trying to earn a living should inconvenience you,even very briefly once a year.

Selfish.

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By *icolerobbieCouple
over a year ago

walsall

The idea sounds great, but the reality after walking through the one in Birmingham is very different. Basically lots of stalls selling the same thing. And way over priced.

There was some small fairground rides for kiddies who seemed to be enjoying themselves.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"The idea sounds great, but the reality after walking through the one in Birmingham is very different. Basically lots of stalls selling the same thing. And way over priced.

There was some small fairground rides for kiddies who seemed to be enjoying themselves.

"
Edinburgh used to be great but its so busy now that it's not enjoyable

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By *odgers and PartingCouple
over a year ago

edinburgh

Yup, overpriced tat. The atmosphere ‘can’ be ok but mostly (In edinburghs case) it’s too busy, too expensive and generally just a bit ‘meh’.

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By *nightsoftheCoffeeTableCouple
over a year ago

Leeds

I love Christmas markets Leeds one is a bit to small & crazy but Manchester & York markets are great.

Mrs

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By *obilebottomMan
over a year ago

All over

"I love Christmas markets Leeds one is a bit to small & crazy but Manchester & York markets are great.

Mrs

Sadly, like many other things, they never got that right in Leeds. More like a little fairground than a proper xmas market.

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By *unandgamegeek OP Man
over a year ago

Bolton

"I love Christmas markets Leeds one is a bit to small & crazy but Manchester & York markets are great.

Mrs

The Christmas market in York is a bit small which I don't mind at all but the city itself makes up for that with the vast amount of shops and pubs and restaurants to go to and the lovely lights and decorations that are so nice to see.

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By *om and JennieCouple
over a year ago

Chams or Socials

The last time we went to one was Birmingham. It was lovely, festive & busy but had repetitive stalls & they were ridiculously expensive. We had a drink each & shared some mini doughnut type pudding & came home

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By *otSoPoshWoman
over a year ago

In a ball gown because that's how we roll in N. Devon

Christmas markets get right on my nerves. They're cold, crowded, often noisy, people eat greasy, sugary food and then touch everything. The number of times I hear "I could make that" or "well, that's very expensive" over something I've spent a significant amount of time and effort on is ridiculous.

A lot of Christmas markets are pretty much just bigger retailers adding to the brick and mortar store with a pop up, or people reselling things they've bought cheap on t'interweb. But there are many, many places that you can go and find actual artisans and crafters markets, where you can support a small business. Things may be a little more expensive but they've been made with love, time and care. And chances are you won't find anything like it elsewhere.

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

^^^Small, artisan ones I can get on board with. But the mega commercial city centre ones in the UK? No, thank you.......

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By *entBarryUKMan
over a year ago

Ashford

We went to one in Birmingham years ago and there was a queue for the exit, it eas way too busy. Canterbury one is good though.

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By *ad NannaWoman
over a year ago

East London

I could be misremembering here but I think there's going to be one in Borough Market this year.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We love Christmas markets

I didn't have Christmas growing up, but now embrace it in a big way. We have a tradition at the markets (Valkenburg and Bruges are our favourites) - we buy a special tree ornament for each other and a new snow globe to add to our collection.

Bess x

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By *ndycoinsMan
over a year ago

Whaley Bridge,Nr Buxton,

"Christmas markets get right on my nerves. They're cold, crowded, often noisy, people eat greasy, sugary food and then touch everything. The number of times I hear "I could make that" or "well, that's very expensive" over something I've spent a significant amount of time and effort on is ridiculous.

Warwick Victorian evening(market and Christmas lights switch on) and Lichfield Christmas Market,outdoors and indoor venues.

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By *tephTV67TV/TS
over a year ago

Cheshire

I don’t go to them anymore but I’ve had happy memories of previous visits in Manchester. From Christmas works parties to taking my Children (when they were really small) around them.

I generally find them too crowded these days and a bit overpriced but they do bring the Christmas spirit to the City Centres.

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By *otSoPoshWoman
over a year ago

In a ball gown because that's how we roll in N. Devon

"^^^Small, artisan ones I can get on board with. But the mega commercial city centre ones in the UK? No, thank you......."

I couldn't agree more. You'd love it down here!

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By *reyeyesesMan
over a year ago

Brumtown

They are great, it's just the crowds that make them rubbish. They're good fun to get there early in the day, have a nice browse, joke about the tat, then have a stein and a foot long before they get too busy

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I know it's a bit early to talk about anything Christmasy but what I find puzzling is that some people seem to have a dislike for Christmas markets.

Personally, I love going to Christmas markets especially in Manchester and York and yeah, they can be busy but I've always found the prices on both food and gift stalls to be quite reasonable.

What do you think?"

I dislike everything to do with Christmas it's all bollocks.

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By *ookie46Woman
over a year ago

Deepest darkest Peru

I love Christmas and love the markets but last year I was a bit disappointed in the Edinburgh and York ones

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By *isfits behaving badlyCouple
over a year ago

Coventry

If I could I would avoid the Birmingham Christmas Market. For me it's pretty hellish in Birmingham centre when its on. Humbug!

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By *andyfloss2000Woman
over a year ago

ashford

Love them! Went to York Xmas Market many moons ago lovely atmosphere x

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By *unandgamegeek OP Man
over a year ago

Bolton

"Love them! Went to York Xmas Market many moons ago lovely atmosphere x"

I agree. I'm going there again this Christmas and staying for the night. Can't wait to do my Christmas shopping there.

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By *hortishblondeWoman
over a year ago

Essex

I like a Christmas Market apart from the smell of Mulled wine yuk !

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I don't like Xmas.

I don't like markets.

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By *om and JennieCouple
over a year ago

Chams or Socials

"^^^Small, artisan ones I can get on board with. But the mega commercial city centre ones in the UK? No, thank you.......

I couldn't agree more. You'd love it down here!"

I’d love to do a proper artisan market but T is so busy with his own work markets xx

J x

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