Christmas 2008

The countdown to Christmas has begun with the arrival of the German market. The smell of sausages and gluvine now greet you as you walk through Victoria Square. There are stalls galore giving that oh so Christmassy feeling, as well as a funfair for the kids.

This year the market seems as busy as ever. So what are people spending their hard earned cash on? Is it good value? And is the German market now a part of Birmingham's Christmas tradition.

Jamie and Hayley

Kelly, brother Jamie and their mum came to Birmingham today especially for the market. Later they're meeting their sister, so it's officially a family outing. They were trying on hats and having a lot of fun.

Kelly: "We come every year, it's now part of the tradition. It's a really nice thing to have here, the culture and everything, we just really enjoy it."

Celebrating German style

Jamie: "I love it, its just something a bit different and it marks Christmas every year. It's also my birthday soon so I can come with my friends, sit out, have a few drinks German style. The stuff here is also really nice – the little bits of rocks and the crafts, you don't see them anywhere else."

Louise, Lawson and Lilly

Lawson and Louise had just arrived at the market and were having a little refreshment before looking around the rest of the market. Lawson is off work this week and they were struggling for something to do as a family.

Lawson: "We'll have a look around. No doubt we'll be going to the funfair for Lilly."

So how much do they plan to spend?

Lawson: "It was about a fiver for two drinks – you pay an additional deposit for the glass but you get that back. We'll probably also buy some food and a few trinkets."

A stall holders dream couple

Kerry and Richard come to the markets most years. They must be a stall holders dream couple. They love to look and spend.

Richard and Kerry

Richard: "We love the atmosphere, it makes you feel really Christmassy - and she loves the doughnuts!

Kerry: "Actually I like the Bailies from the bar! We'll be spending a few hours here and we'll come back a few times, probably in the evenings with friends."

Richard: "I don't know how much we spend really – it probably adds up – I'd say at least £100. Today we've spent £30 so far, and mostly on food."

Kerry was quick to point out she'd also bought some slippers. I saw them later and they were looking at baubles.

Yasmin from Berlin

Their attitude summed up most people's attitude that I spoke to. They wanted to have a laugh and a nice afternoon out, and were more than happy to spend a few quid. But it's not just locals who enjoy the market.

It's authentic

Yasmin who works in the West Midlands is from Berlin, so she should know if this is the authentic German Market. She said: "It's really nice – like Christmas already for me. It's generally hard to find German things, so it's been really exciting. It was a surprise, I didn't know this was on. I bought a little rabbit from a craft stall for my cousin."

Vanessa and Annalise

Annalise and Vanessa are from Estonia and are studying at Birmingham University.

"It brings back memories from back home. We have similar markets around Christmas time, I think it's amazing. We'll definitely come back."

They were sampling the gluvine, but had also bought German sausage.

"We'll definitely be buying some souvenirs, but we need a few more of these (gluvine) first – to keep ourselves warm."

Lesley and Helen with her daughters

Helen was visiting the market with her two daughters and mum Lesley. They were enjoying the funfair. They'd also bought nuts and biscuits. They'll probably spend around £20 or £30, but felt it was well worth it.

A little pricey?

However some people commented that they thought the prices of some things had risen quite a bit. Ruby's mum brought her to the markets. They come every year. Ruby had been on the merry-go-round. She was trying on hats but her mum thought it was quite expensive.

"The first year we came we bought Ruby a hat, but I don't think we'll be getting one this year. Prices have definitely gone up. I'm happy to come and look but probably won't be spending as much as I've done before."

Ruby trying on a hat

Mark and Paul had taken the afternoon off work and were enjoying a well earned pint. Or maybe not that well earned. They confessed they came to the market with the excuse of doing Christmas shopping - but really they just have a few pints and enjoy the food.

"We're doing a bit of Christmas shopping so thought we'd stop off. We've only been here 10 minutes or so. We thought we'd start off by the beer stall and make our way up through the market. We'll also have something to eat.

It's traditional - and an excuse for a pint

"We look forward to the German market. It's now a bit of a tradition. It's pretty festive and cheers you up. I don't think a British market would be the same. This is just a bit more unusual - though we don't tend to buy any of the crafts, just the food and drink really."

Mark and Paul

These people are just a snapshot of some of the people visiting the markets in the afternoon. At night-time the markets take on a different feel - but that's another feature!

So Brummies and visitors alike are descending on the German market, some spending a few pounds (or more), some just browsing - though it is pretty hard to pass through the market without being tempted to buy something.

But the general feel is that this has now become a part of Birmingham's tradition in the build up to Christmas, bringing a little festive cheer to the city.