Crafts are having a moment as you undoubtedly noticed as well. Just have a look at those beautiful Pinterest boards of that name, or look at Etsy or other craft related websites. People are knitting, crafting, papier-maché-ing, glueing bits together, woodworking, tie-dyeing - you name it.
It seems we're all in need of reassurance that the tangible, the genuine, the stuff you can feel and touch really exists. And even more importantly: That it's made with love. (And not in some horrible Chinese sweatshop where safety nets prevent people from committing suicide because their working life is so horrendous.)
Homemade, handmade - crafted with love.
My prediction therefore is that.....
......Traditional Christmas Markets - not the kinds which look like a 1970s fun-fair! will be the places to be this year. What could be more reassuring than browse through lovely crafted things on a romantically lit market square, the air scented with spices and an aroma of mulled wine?
Bobble caps and quilted jackets to the ready -this winter we will all be in a great big comfort zone - the Traditional Christmas Market, with its lovely array of beautiful things and a wonderfully protective atmosphere where nothing bad can happen.
A few that fit that bill:
- The most beautiful in my opinion:
http://www.discover-munich.info/munich_christmas_markets.php
- A really lovely one where you can learn to make candles:
http://www.fwtm.freiburg.de/servlet/PB/menu/1172668_l2/index.html
- A personal favourite: Christmas markets in Alsace, e.g. Strasbourg
