In the longest nights shine colorful lights
A cup of hot wine, or hot chocolate to warm up your heart
Happy, festive, and somewhat nostalgic
Belgian Christmas Holiday nights

From ancient times, Japanese people have been enjoying the seasonal beauty and following the rythm of nature through a cup of tea. This little series of Toridori's seasonal letter was born to bring — a little spoonful of — seasonal beauty and nature's rythm into our life.  

Belgian December is a very busy month. After celebrating Saint Nicolas Day (Seasonal Letter no. 8), it is the season of the Christmas Markets all over Belgium! Big Christmas Markets like in Brussels are super lively and fun, but the smaller ones like in Mechelen (my town!) are also nice and cosy. 

Originally a mere food market in the December of 13th century Vienna*, the current Christmas Markets in Belgium have evolved as a special place where people gather to share the happy Christmas moments of enjoying food, drink, and some shopping with their families and friends. Located in the northwest Europe, Belgian December nights are very long. But this warm, festive feeling of Christmas markets transforms the dark nights into warm and somewhat magical, special experience. 

The very first Christmas market of my life was 8 years ago, my first winter in Belgium. By now, Christmas market became part of my life, and I cannot feel December has come until I drink the hot wine there.

How was your Christmas this year? I hope all of you had a happy day filled with joy, happiness, and lots of tasty things!

Erina

*Reference: "A brief history of Christmas markets" by Elizabeth Djinis, on 19/12/2022 in the Smithonian magazine (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/a-brief-history-of-christmas-markets-180981308/). 
Everyone is curious how the current Christmas markets were born, isn't it? This short article tells us some interesting stories about the history of Christmas markets in Europe.