by Lena from Nuremberg asks Santa if elves act in movies, learns about the Christkindlesmarkt, and hears about German St. Nicholas Day traditions
Dear Santa, my name is Lena and I am ten years old. I live in Nuremberg, Germany, where my oma says our Christmas market has been running since before her own grandmother was born.
Dear Lena, your oma is entirely correct, and I have personally visited that market for longer than I am willing to admit in writing.
Santa, I have three questions.
My first question is, do any of your elves ever act in movies? My brother says he saw one in the background of a Christmas film once.
A few elves have done background work over the years, mostly for the free snacks on set. None have landed a starring role yet, though one named Ferdinand insists his big break is coming any decade now.
My second question is about our market. My teacher says the Christkindlesmarkt is one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world, right here in Nuremberg, in Bavaria. Is that true?
It is true, Lena, with records going back to the 1600s. Flying over Bavaria in December, with the market lights glowing in the town square, is one of the coziest sights on my whole route, and the smell of roasted chestnuts reaches me even at altitude.
My third question is about December 6th. My little cousin puts a boot outside his door and finds treats in it the next morning. What is that about?
That is Nikolaustag, Saint Nicholas Day, a lovely German tradition where well-behaved children find their boots filled with small treats on the morning of December 6th, honoring the same generous Saint Nicholas that inspired me in the first place. It is a nice little preview of the good things still to come.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Lena Schmidt
Nuremberg, Germany
P.S. Please tell Ferdinand his moment will come.
I tell him every year, Lena. He remains optimistic, which I admire.
