12 Days of Christmas Market

There’s a lot of christmasy atmosphere here with lots for the children. There’s a Merrygoround, lots of stalls selling mulled wine and chocolate brownies. The brownie I bought at Naomi’s Muffins was absolutely divine and big enough for two. I didn’t buy anything as I was on the way to a concert but there are lots of stalls selling original and handmade items.

Yes, I know. It’s exactly a month after Christmas Eve. And yet, since I haven’t written a review for the 12 Days of Christmas Market yet, I’m going to now!
The market is one of those things that I happened upon one year while waiting in the chq building for my husband to finish a meeting, and visiting it quickly became a tradition during our yearly holiday trip to Ireland. This past year, I don’t know if the Market was actually smaller than usual or if some things were closing down early due to the proximity of Christmas, but it did seem smaller and like there were less vendors. In past years there have been quite a few indoor stalls with folks selling everything from crafts to small antiques to plants, and I didn’t see much of that this year.
Never mind, though! I still got a delicious cup of mulled wine, and we found plenty of little outdoor stalls to browse through. (If mulled wine isn’t your thing, there are other food and drink options… but trust me, the mulled wine is excellent.) The carousel wasn’t in operation while we were there, but it was still lovely and worth a look. There was also live music, and as the day was nice, it was great to walk around and get into the holiday spirit.
We ended up buying some sweets for my father in law, as well as a really nice bog wood candle holder for ourselves. The person who sold us the candle holder found out that it would be traveling with us back to the states, so she wrapped it very well and it made it home in one piece.
The Christmas Market is just one of those little things about Dublin during the holidays that makes me happy, and I’m already looking forward to next year’s trip.

So how did all those people in the 12 Days of Christmas market get those blue mugs?
As I found out once inside, it’s hot mulled wine they’re all sipping on –just one of the incredible seasonal indulgences at this outdoor event. German pastries, chicken skewers, hot sausages plus those gooey filled crepes all add to a brilliant festive spirit as you tool through two outdoor levels of shopping tents (there’s a few indoor stalls as well if you need to get out of the cold).
Parking is non-​existent in the IFSC, your best bet is to park in the garages along the LUSA line and grab a tram in.
It’s always a treat to stroll through the avenues of tents to the strains of Barnardos carolers, but to be honest I’m afraid of bringing the nieces and nephews; all those coloured lights, that huge sparkling carousel, the extra long sweets booth with the smell of sugar hanging around it so thick it could be sold on a stick… it’s a recipe for mayhem.
But I suppose that’s the point of a great Christmas fair; to stuff the kiddies full of hot chocolate and red vines, ride the merry-​go-​round or the tilt-​a-​whirl then buy silly knicknacks. All so you can carry them to the car for a quiet ride home. It’s the stuff beautiful memories are made of.
Anyway, why do you think all those grown ups are glugging the mulled wine anyway?

12 Days of Christmas Market is nice to visit during this time of the year. It will get you into the Christmas spirit, as you walk through the crowd visiting the many Christmas booths. Booths from countries such as Germany, Holland, Switzerland and others, with foods or other Christmas items.
This is a fun market to visit with the whole family, and keep in mind that parking will be a tough one.. .

Have you ever been to a traditional christmas market in Germany or Austria? No? Ok, first of all– you’re missing out an the best part of christmas, and secondly– if you can make it down to the IFSC for the 12 days of Christmas Market you absolutely should!
There is usually a great atmosphere and lots of little stalls and a carousel, German Gluehwein and sausages and… basically the only thing missing is snow. So if you can spare an hour or two between December 10 and December 23 you should definitely check it out. I know I will.

It’s Christmas!!! And how do we know? Cause the Christmas market in the IFSC is here! This Annual treat is still called the 12 days of Christmas even though its going on for 14 days this year. It’s down in that little area beside the CHQ building that floats in the middle of the water which always excites me! :-) I think this market is just magic with lots of yummy food and little stalls with crafty little gifts that you can put in people stockings but my favorite is the stand with German beers and the one with the gluhwein, its not officially Christmas until you have had your first mulled wine, mmmmmm!
This stall does not open until Thursday of this week, the 10^th of December but that’s well timed for the weekend! Another plus for this year is the fact that the red line luas extension opened today so I don’t have to try walking home after filling myself with Christmas goodies I can get the luas to take me some of the way!