Holiday Inspiration from Steckborn, Switzerland

Two years ago I had the privilege of traveling to Steckborn, Switzerland, the home of BERNINA, to take part in the testing of the new BERNINA Q 24  and Q 20 Longarm Quilting machines.

Christmas Season in Steckborn Switzerland - BERNINA Headquarters

Steckborn is located on the shores of Lake Konstanz and has a population of approximately 3,600 people. Much of the architecture in the main part of the town dates back several hundred years.

Christmas Season in Steckborn Switzerland

It just happened that I was there in December when the town was getting ready to celebrate the Christmas Holidays. Many of the homes and business are decorated for the holidays.

Christmas Season in Steckborn Switzerland - window decorations

Window ledges sport Christmas displays.

Christmas Season in Steckborn Switzerland - Bakery

Many street level windows feature displays centered on the nativity.

Christmas Season in Steckborn Switzerland - Baked Goods

The town bakery is not to be left out of some very tasty decorations and edible treats.

Christmas Season in Steckborn Switzerland - Adventcalendar

A local store features this wonderful Advent Calendar in their window.

Christmas Season in Steckborn Switzerland - Metal Art

The florist shop features some wonderful metal work for the season.

Christmas Season in Steckborn Switzerland - Florist

The small family run hotel where we stayed had an Advent Wreath in the lobby.

Christmas Season in Steckborn Switzerland - cat

And Steckborn is no different than the USA—even their cats get into the seasonal displays.

Christmas Season in Konstanz, Germany

Konstanz, Germany, which has a population of 80,000 people, is a short train ride away. It also hosts one of the many Christmas Markets that spring up in Germany during the holidays. We took advantage of the wonderful train system and went there a few evenings during our stay. Stalls line the streets and sell a variety of food to take home, as well as some wonderful gifts for the season.

Christmas Season in Konstanz

Christmas Season in Konstanz, Germany

And there is musical entertainment. Sometimes a local brass band and in this instance a woman playing tuned goblets. Yes—each glass is filled with water so it will produce a different pitch when she strikes them. She was playing various Christmas Carols.

Christmas Season in Konstanz - tuned goblets

Many stalls featured wonderful ornaments and decorations for the season.

Christmas Season in Konstanz - ornaments

Christmas Season in Konstanz - ornaments

Christmas Season Konstanz - Ornament Displays

It is a time for families to gather and celebrate the season—and there are special rides for the children.

Christmas Season in Konstanz -Carousel Ride

And yes—there was wonderful food.

Some fresh roasted chestnuts.

Christmas Season - Some fresh roasted chestnuts

A roasted pig! (Sorry I didn’t get a picture of the wild boar being roasted)

Christmas Season in Konstanz

And of course—something to drink. This is Glühwein (mulled wine). We were able to get both red and white mulled wine and many times it might have had some “additives”—I believe in this case it was either rum or brandy and was topped off by a flamed sugar cube.

German Gluehwein

It was also wonderful to see Mistletoe growing in actual trees, and to see some being used for decoration. This one hangs in a doorway to a home.mistletoe

I hope you enjoyed this little journey to Steckborn, Switzerland and Konstanz, Germany.  And maybe if you are good—Santa will leave you a Q24 or Q20 under your tree!

Christmas Season Europe

John Kubiniec is a BERNINA Ambassador who lives in Rochester, NY.  Visit his blog at Big Rig Quilting .

Our December 19 Gift For You

Today’s gift is a BERNINA neoprene laptop sleeve to one awesome WeAllSew fan. All you have to do is post a comment below answering the following question:

Which country would you like to visit during the Holiday season?

A winner will be chosen at random on December 20, 2015 and announced the following week!

Good luck!

Congratulations to our WeAllSew reader “pattersonp”, the winner of the December 19 gift. Enjoy!

7 days until Christmas

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