If there’s one thing I’ve learnt since moving to Germany, it’s that German Christmas markets are dangerously good for shopping.

Every year that I go, I save up some money specifically for the Christmas Markets. Not just for food and Gluhwein – but for the stalls! The souvenirs.

The best part is that so many of the things you’ll find aren’t the generic souvenirs you could buy anywhere. A lot of them are traditional, handmade, beautiful, and actually feel like they belong in your home.

So if you’re heading to a German Christmas market this year, here are 12 things I would absolutely keep an eye out for.

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1. Paper Star Lanterns ⭐

These are probably one of my favourite Christmas market finds.

The beautiful paper star lanterns you see hanging in windows all over Germany are SO pretty once they’re lit up.

They come in all different colours, patterns and sizes, and they look gorgeous hanging in a window during the darker winter evenings. Almost every house has one hanging in the window and it’s soo cozy.

I honestly think one of these would make such a beautiful souvenir because every time you turn it on, you’ll be reminded of your Christmas trip to Germany.

My tip: Look for one that folds flat so you don’t have to spend the entire flight home trying to protect a giant Christmas star. 😂

2. Glühwein Mugs ☕️

Okay, technically you don’t always buy these…

But you absolutely can end up taking one home.

When you order Glühwein at many Christmas markets, you’ll pay a small deposit (Pfand) for the mug. Return it and you get your deposit back—or keep the mug as a souvenir.

And honestly?

I would keep it. – atleast one (you’ll have many Glühwein’s if you go to more than one market).

The mugs are often decorated specifically for that year’s Christmas market, which makes them such a fun little reminder of your trip.

Plus, imagine using your German Christmas market mug at home while watching a Christmas movie.

That’s my little tradition. 🙂

3. Little Christmas Buildings 🏠

You know those tiny wooden houses and buildings that look like they’ve been pulled straight out of a miniature Christmas village?

Those.

You’ll often find little wooden Christmas houses representing shops, homes, bakeries, churches and other traditional buildings.

I love these because you can slowly build your own little Christmas village over the years.

They are so sweet to bring out in December. They aren’t the cheap plastic decorations that are in all the $2 shops. This is decor that is actually good quality.

4. Christmas Tree Ornaments 🎄

This one is probably obvious, but do not underestimate the Christmas ornaments at German markets.

You can find everything from delicate glass baubles to handmade wooden decorations, stars, angels, little houses and traditional German Christmas figures.

Rather than buying 15 random souvenirs, I’d much rather buy one really beautiful ornament that I can pull out every December.

Then, you buy a new one every year and soon, your Christmas tree starts telling the story of all the memories you’ve had.

I love that.

5. A Traditional German Nutcracker

If you’ve always wanted one of those classic wooden nutcrackers you’ve seen in Christmas movies…

Germany is the place to get one.

You’ll find traditional wooden nutcrackers in all sorts of designs, from soldiers and kings to little Christmas characters.

They’re especially associated with the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) region of Germany, which has a long tradition of wooden Christmas craftsmanship.

And yes, they’re just as cute in person. There are a lot of replicas around, but there’s something special about getting an original. All my family members love getting an authentic one from a german Christmas market.

6. Spices & Glühwein Spice Mixes

This is one of my favourite things to buy if you want to bring a little bit of the Christmas market home with you.

You’ll find stalls selling beautifully packaged spices and traditional spice blends, including mixes for making your own Glühwein.

Imagine coming home, putting on your favourite Christmas movie, heating up a pot of spiced wine and suddenly your kitchen smells like a German Christmas market.

Honestly…Yes please.

You can also find spice blends for baking and other traditional German recipes. These are the first things I buy every year so I can start using them at the end of November.

7. German Teas 🍵

If you’re not a Glühwein person—or you simply want something you can enjoy all winter—look out for the tea stalls.

German Christmas markets often have beautiful loose-leaf teas and festive blends featuring ingredients like cinnamon, apple, orange, cloves and other warming spices.

They also make really easy gifts.

Buy a few different flavours, wrap them up with a cute mug and you’ve basically created a little Christmas gift basket without having to think too hard about it.

You’re welcome. 😂

8. Chocolate & Christmas Candies 🍫

This one is for the sweet tooths.

If you walk past a Christmas market stall covered in chocolate and somehow manage not to buy anything…

I don’t know how you did it. These are my FAVOURITE.

You’ll find handmade chocolates, truffles, chocolate-covered fruit, fudge, pralines, roasted sweets and all kinds of beautifully packaged Christmas treats.

And then there’s Lebkuchen, marzipan and other traditional German Christmas sweets.

My advice? Don’t overthink it.

This is Christmas, and it only comes once a year.

9. Candle Luminarias 🕯️

These are such a beautiful addition to your home during winter.

You’ll find traditional candle holders and lanterns made from materials like wood, metal or ceramic, often with little cut-out designs that create beautiful patterns when the candle is lit.

To me, these are really european and one of the coziest additions to add to your Christmas decor.

Put one on your dining table, windowsill or bedside table and you’ve instantly created a cosy little Christmas atmosphere.

And yes…

You may find yourself buying more than one.

10. Handmade Wooden Toys 🧸

If you’re buying for children—or simply love beautifully made traditional toys—look out for the wooden toys.

German Christmas markets are full of handmade wooden toys, particularly those coming from regions famous for traditional woodworking.

You’ll find things like:

• Wooden trains
• Animals
• Puzzles
• Dolls
• Cars
• Little wooden figures

They’re so much more charming than the plastic toys you can find in every department store.

Once they grow out of them, they can be kept as memorabilia.

11. Beautiful Oils 🌿

Look out for stalls selling beautifully scented oils, essential oils and other handmade oil products.

You’ll often find lovely seasonal scents, herbal blends and natural products that make gorgeous little gifts.

They’re also a great option if you want to bring something home that isn’t yet another Christmas decoration.

Although…

12. A German Christmas Pyramid 🎄

Okay, this is the one I’d really look out for.

The traditional German Weihnachtspyramide is one of the most beautiful Christmas decorations you can bring home from Germany.

They’re usually wooden, multi-tiered decorations with little Christmas scenes, figures and candles. When the candles are lit, the rising warm air turns the blades at the top and the whole pyramid slowly spins.

It’s honestly mesmerising to watch.

And they’re incredibly traditional.

If you want to bring home something that instantly says “I spent Christmas in Germany,” this would be high on my list.

My Favourite Christmas Market Souvenirs

If I had to narrow the whole list down, I’d personally go for the paper star lantern, a Glühwein mug, a beautiful Christmas ornament and a little wooden Christmas building.

They’re the kinds of things you can actually use or display every Christmas, rather than something that ends up forgotten in a drawer six months later.

And that’s what I love about shopping at German Christmas markets.

You’re not just buying a souvenir.

You’re taking home a little piece of the Christmas magic. 🎄✨

Let me know if you bought any of these in the comments, I’d love to hear what your favourite was!

If you liked this post, you might also like:

–The 12 Most Magical Christmas Markets in Germany (Ranked)

–20 Places to Visit in Germany: Bucket List + Local Gems

–8 Fairytale Castles in Germany that you can actually stay in