I’ve failed again with Julia’s challenge but I had a real ‘bah humbug’ on Sunday. I went into town to try to finish my Christmas shopping and to be honest it didn’t start well, I got soaked on my twenty minute walk down and to add insult to injury it thundered! Never mind, my destination was the German style Christmas Market on the Cathedral green, it was sure to be good wasn’t it?
The aroma of burnt meat and spilt beer hit me at once, and repeated itself several times, and then there was the Belgian chocolate, Turkish Delight, French crepes, Italian cakes, Zimbabwean wood carvings, Chinese this, Chinese that, Chinese the other, and Chinese tat. I don’t know why I expected anything else, two weeks before I went to a similar market in Salisbury, all wooden chalets full of imported ‘goods’ as well, and left disappointed.
I decided to look for something locally mad; Devon is full of talented artists and craftspeople after all. I found some plants, the usual Christmas suspects, poinsettias and wreaths, funny little reindeer made of some material that must have grown from something originally, but I’ve no idea what. Just as I was losing the will to live I caught an earful of broad Devon accent and went to chat to a lady who was surrounded by wicker baskets, lots of which she had made herself. They were so nice that I could forgive her for having some ‘bought in’ stuff to sell as well.
The only other truly local stand I found, had beautiful clocks, coasters and mirrors made from slate, she was busy so I wasn’t able to talk to her, but they were such lovely gifts. How sad that there were so few handmade items, I know it must be expensive to have a chalet there, the high turnover needed probably makes it almost impossible to have enough stock.
So China wins. Even if the cash strapped shopper prefers the unique items made by talented creative people right here in England –my friend makes stunning hand stitched journals for instance, the mass produced versions are around half the price. One can but wonder how this is possible, some must make enough profit to justify the cost of importing and I’m sure others are earning a few pennies each day to try to feed their families. Meanwhile skills are disappearing and very little is actually made here in the UK.
I have nothing against real Continental/German Christmas markets and would love to visit one; maybe Frizz text can tell us what they are like in Berlin, charming I bet? But I don’t understand the appeal of these events that are springing up all around the country and there must be more here than on the continent!
So that’s my ‘bah humbug’ rant, I hope I haven’t upset you and I’d love to hear how you feel, perhaps the chalets are in your town too?
Lucid Gypsy 
They just started a Christmas market full of little chalets in our downtown area. Each little chalet contained a different craft. I just shot photos of the little village and have yet to visit each shop. Most of my shopping is done. Only have to buy one more gift.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
i have not seen them gilly, but i am remote down here in the country (thank goodness) … sounds disgusting … our new tuesday farmers market will start on New Years Day, just four hours late afternoon and early evening, only producers and their home grown/produced food and drink, no craft at all, ( we have had a few crises this week with organising insurance, and council permissions and spreading the word) …. a big break away from the saturday morning market which has far too much rubbish of the kind you have just seen …. hope your shopping is going better now!
I spend Christmas in Germany from 61 to 64. Loved the the way they relished the festivities. The music, food, decorations, and kinship will never be forgotten. Just beautiful.
Oh , my biggest gripe has been voiced so eloquently. Thank you, Gilly. Just before i retired from doing my art & crafts shows, I noticed an influx of more and more imported items from China being displayed. As these people were supposed to be making their items, many people complained about their admissions into the shows. They usually are asked to leave but cannot be forced. Although, these shows are juried in order for you to be admitted, many get in. We are losing the world of creative handmade handicrafts. I hope it begins to turn around. Okay, now that was my rant. Please forgive and …. happy hunting. ~~~~ : – )
what I want to know is where do you keep finding all these giant Xmas decorations. New Zealand sucks this year with decorations in towns…
😦
That is one jolly Santa. Hand-made and local products are still better unfortunately even in America, a lot of smaller businesses died and lots of people lost their job because big companies wants cheap labor. So yes, most here is made in China too. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Mmmmm. I have to agree about the big Christmas markets. Being new to European living, I had great fantasies about the “traditional market” and went to a few. Pretty commercial. I DO think there is a growing appreciation for locally grown/made items, although the movement is still overshadowed by the commerical hype. We made a commitment this year to “shop small, shop local” and sought out a few of the design/craft markets. The goods were exceptional. Of course, I’m in the big city. I don’t know if that makes it easier or harder to find the crafty things..I also found an online source that “hosts” local UK-made items. Anyway, the greatest gift we have is the life we live, right? Hope you had a lovely Christmas.
I relate to your frustration Gilly! We are flooded with Chinese tat here as well! Even the Hindu deities used for the Navaratri doll shows are now made in China! We are wondering if silk saris are going to be imported from China next! Meanwhile skilled craftsmen are switching to menial jobs, because they can’t compete with cheap competition.
Yes the Chinese influx of goods is world wide, but I am pleased to report that here in Australia we still have a few local markets that are restricted to locally made goods, they are a pleasure to wander around